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C ommunity Development Department 222 Lewis Street River Falls, WI 54022 715.425.0900 www.rfcity.org PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES Ju ly 15 , 202 6 at 5:30 p.m. CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER Meeting convened at 5: 30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Matt Janquart (C hair ), Sean Downing (Council Rep) , Brenda Gaulke, Eli Guthrie , Melissa Pedrini, and Natasha Schaefer . Members Absent: Phil Galli. Staff Present: Levi Myers – Natural Resources Coordinator , Kyle Mackey- Recreation Coordinator , Emily Shively- Assistant Director of Community Development , and Brenda Rundle -Customer Service Representativ e . APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. MSC Guthrie/Downing to approve the minutes of the June 17 , 202 6 Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) m eeting. Unanimous . PUBLIC COMMENTS William Hansen of the T own of River Falls spoke about the Kinni River Corridor Project and asked a number of questions that he feels should be considered before moving forward with any kayaking enhancements in River Falls . He ’d like to see more data on the subject before a dam, hydro generator and biodiversity are destroyed . He wonders if there is really a need for more water access. Beth Rausch, a City resident near Glen Park, thanks the board for their service. She expressed concerns about the Glen Park phase 2 discussion from last month. She recommends moving the proposed multi-sport court from the tree area in the northeast to the southwest corner of the park where the ballfield was proposed. This would be closer to parking and emergency access , allow for further expansion, offer increased visibility, and require no tree removal or light pollution next to the river . ACTION ITEM S 2. Levi Myers and Emily Shively shared a presentation about a proposed development on approximately 50 Johnson acres at CTY Hwy M and 1060 th St called Ironhorse Neighborhood (EW Homes) with 179 housing units . The land was approved for annexation by City Council on June 9, 2026. A 2.3 acre park and a 0.8 acre “tot lot ” play area is included, along with trail connections. Schaefer would like to be sure the space and equipment is accessible. Downing would like to see a pollinator rain garden. PRAB seems to feel a natural wood playground may not be the best fit for this neighborhood . They seemed interested in built-in outdoor games but would like to know about the accessories. Shade and benches are encouraged. The board can continue to have conversations about the design and amenities in the new City park. MSC Gaulke/Schaefer to recommend approval of combination of new park land and cash- in-lieu of land be accepted for park dedication for the Ironhorse neighborhood (EW Homes) at C TY Hwy M and 1060 th St . Unanimous. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Rick Cleary of Kinnickinnic Off-Road Cyclists (KORC) gave their annual report. The Border Crossing was held May 17 . It is one of their main funding sources . The grade 6-12 race with nearly 1,000 riders will be in September . The Ice Box 480 running event will be held on November 7. Many of their big events are staged in Lot C which is for sale by the City . They hope to work with the future owner of the property. They have re-vamped the skills park and added 1.5 miles of new trail on the Fox easement land , but signage is not up yet . They purchased a mini-excavator to continue to build trail . Many volunteers work on the Whitetail Ridge bike trails. They feel fortunate about the relationship they have with the City. PRAB thanked KORC for the asset to our City. STAFF RE PORTS 4. Levi Myers gave the Public Works Maintenance Staff Re port . The section of the White Pathway (off shoot of the Kinnickinnic Pathway) near t he fishing pier and benches overlooking Lake George has received improvements including invasive vegetation clearing, three new concrete pads and picnic tables, decomposed granite hardscape, and new landscape with over 300 native shrubs, perennials, and grasses to help restore the area and support pollinators . The dugouts at Hoffman Park softball fields were power washed and a River Falls 10U Baseball Team painted them black. At DeSanctis Park, o ver 600 native trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses were planted in June 2026 as part of the City ’s Bee City pollinator initiatives. This includes the first four of 10 pollinator gardens. Thank you to staff, Bee City Committee, and volunteers for all their hard work! Electric Utility staff installed vinyl wraps of the 2026 Bee City Committee Pollinator Art Contest elementary school winners on three different utility boxes at DeSanctis Park. CALE NDAR The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be Wednesday , August 19 , 202 6 at 5:30 p.m . in the Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT 29 MS C Schaefer/Gaulke to adjourn the meeting at 6: 29 p .m. Unanimous . Respectfully submitted, Brenda Rundle , Customer Service Representative