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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 May 20 , 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, Levi Myers - Natural Resources Coordinator , Kyle Mackey - Recreation Coordinator , Amy Peterso n – Community Development Director , Becky Corson – Community Development Coordinator, and Brenda Rundle - Customer Service Representativ e . APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. MSC Pedrini/Schaefer approve the minutes of the April 15 , 202 6 Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) m eeting. Unanimous . PUBLIC COMMENTS The PRAB chair welcomed Councilmember Sean Downing back to PRAB and welcomed new PRAB member Eli Guthrie. William Hansen of the T own of River Falls reminded PRAB that the Junction Falls hydro continues to generat e renewable energy , and he appreciates the user-friendly walking path around Lake George . He thanked PRAB for their service. Patricia La Rue talked about the Kinni Corridor Project National Park Service (NPS) rebranding plan and mentioned some typos and mistakes in the NPS plan as found on the City website. She indicated that in 2018 it was determined to re-license both dams until 2065 . She said the cost estimate is $17-$29 million plus a 30% contingency fee and that it will be paid by rate-paying customers. She understands there will be grants and donations but pointed out that there are only 7,000 rate-paying customers to fund this. She is excited that the plans include EV stations. ACTION ITEM S 2. Conservation and Parks Manager Brooks Ostendorf spoke about plans for Bee City Demonstration Gardens at DeSanctis Park as was first discussed in spring 2025. The City ’s first Bee Lawn was installed at DeSanctis Park in 2025 and will take a few years to become fully established . Ten unique demonstration gardens are proposed at DeSanctis Park. The first four are budgeted and planned to be installed this year, upon approval by PRAB. There will be educational sign s as well. MSC Schaefer/Downing to approve the proposed master plan of Bee City demonstration gardens and installation of the first phase at DeSanctis Park . Unanimous. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Elizabeth Rohl (aka Liz Moe) of River Falls Youth Softball gave a presentation about the organization. They are a registered non-profit founded in 2014 for players attending or residing within the school district. They currently have 10 teams (110 players) for age s 5 up to 14U and she feels interest in increasing . They are run completely by volunteers . They hosted a large tournament over the weekend at Hoffman Park. They offer some off-season options as well. She discussed lack of field space in the City. They are looking to build their own complex and would consider a potential partnership with the City in the future . 4. Brooks updated PRA B about Grow to Share gardens moving from Hoffman Park to the east side of DeSanctis Park. Grow to Share shared a master plan in which proposed gardens and structures are shown . Tonya Schmitt of Grow to Share says they will start getting the grounds ready (cover crops and erosion control) at DeSanctis as soon as everything is approved and permits are acquired, hopefully this spring. They are excited to have a space that lends itself to expand their mission and vision. They would like to add a picnic shelter , shed , and greenhouse someday. They would also like to add uniform fencing to keep out rabbits and deer . 5. Levi Myers and Bar ett Steenrod of the National Park Service (NPS) Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) gave an update about the Kinni Corridor Plan which was adopted in 20 19 . In 2022 the City started exploring working with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to focus on dam removal and restoration of the river and surrounding land . The feasibility study was completed in April 2026 . They call the plan the Kinnickinnic River Greenway Recreation Plan, or NPS Greenway Plan for short . A name for the physical project area ( “Kinni Riverway ”) and a logo were shared. STAFF RE PORTS 6. Brooks gave Erica ’s Public Works Maintenance staff report. The pool repairs have been completed, and water use will be monitored closely in case of future leaks. Two new employees in PW Parks Maintenance are Laura Berkhoel and Tyrrell Halvorson . 7. Brooks Ostendorf reminded PRAB about the Summer Starts in the Park event at Glen Park on Thursday, May 21 at 5-7 p.m. and let PRAB know the City signed a contract with The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) for in-kind financial and logistical support for invasive species management and habitat restoration within River Hills Park and associated natural areas for 2027-2028. CALE NDAR The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting will be Wednesday , June 17, 202 6 at 5:30 p.m . in the Council Chambers. ADJOURNMENT MS C Schaeffer/Pedrini to adjourn the meeting at 6: 28 p .m. Unanimous . Respectfully submitted, Brenda Rundle , Customer Service Representative