_06172026-1688
City of River Falls · Pierce County · meeting of Jun 17, 2026 · Minutes
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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
June 17 , 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) , Phil Galli , Eli
Guthrie , Melissa Pedrini, and Natasha Schaefer .
Members Absent: Brenda Gaulke.
Staff Present: Brooks Ostendorf - Conservation and Parks Manage r, Kyle Mackey
- Recreation Coordinator , and Brenda Rundle - Customer Service
Representativ e .
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. MSC Downing/Pedrini to approve the minutes of the May 20 , 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 turtle s that lived at the bottom
of Lake Lo ui se and the renewable energy that is created by Junction Falls Dam.
ACTION ITEM S
2. Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf shared information about park
impact fees . In January of 2026 PRAB reviewed how park impact fees are collected
and disbursed. At that time, PRAB voted to approve a new system in which funds are
collected in a single fund and used at parks where needed (not necessarily the closest
park). Currently $950,000 is available . $740,000 of that was previously approved by
PRAB to fund a Glen Park Playground, Glen Park Multi-Use Sport Court, Sterling
Ponds Picnic Shelter, DeSanctis Park Water Service, and two Dog Park Shade
Structures. With the remaining balance of $210,000, s taff recommends moving
forward with Glen Park phase 2, which includes removing the following: east
bathrooms, open-air shelter, sand volleyball court, basketball court, and any pre-2019
play structures. Additions would include a multi-use sport court (floodable for winter
skating ), an open -air pavilion , a youth -only ballfield (no lights) , and trail improvement s
from the swinging bridge to Cascade Ave. Parking lot improvements on the east side
would no longer be included . Future improvements would still include the north trail
loop, pool reconstruction, overlook, nature trail improvement, and another picnic
shelter. Downing recommended a larger, higher- quality multi-sport court (with lights)
to meet ice skating desires instead of a youth ball field. He also recommends
incorporating landscaping to support pollinators . He feels a different location outside
of Glen Park would be better for a ball field. Pedrini also recommends a ball field for
all ages at a different location. Schaefer lives near the park and wonders if balls will
end up in her yard or hitting someone in the park. She also wondered if there is enough
parking to have a ball field at Glen Park. She too would recommend a different park .
She also feels the east side of the park should have its own bathrooms . Schaefer
would also like more information about the play structure. Brooks clarified that
pollinator gardens would not be funded through park impact fees. Everyone seems to
agree with the Cascade trail improvements , playground, multi-use sport court
(floodable) and a shelter with bathrooms nearby but rejected the youth ballfield . Brooks
indicated that specific details about approved amenities would be provided later, but
for now seeks approval on the general plan for funding.
MSC Schaefer/Downing to reaffirm its previous funding recommendations and
recommend allocation of the additional available Park Impact Fee funds toward a multi-
use park building, multi-use court, and W. Cascade Avenue improvements at Glen Park .
Unanimous.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
STAFF RE PORTS
3. Brooks gave Erica ’s Public Works Maintenance Staff Report update that treatment of
noxious weeds (thistle and wild parsnip) was completed at the D og P ark on June 9.
The dog park reopened on June 11 at 4 p .m. The closure was communicated via
social media and signs at the Dog Park.
CALE NDAR
The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be Wednesday , Ju ly 1 5 , 202 6
at 5:30 p.m . in the Council Chambers.
ADJOURNMENT
MS C Galli/Pedrini to adjourn the meeting at 6: 3 2 p .m. Unanimous .
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Rundle , Customer Service Representative
Source: City of River Falls website. First collected Oct 9, 2026.