Actual timeframes for the initiation and development of the park components and facilities identified in this plan are difficult to formulate due to the many variables that affect development. In order to organize the ideas into more tangible format, the City has established timing considerations that when reached present an opportunity to begin the more formal development of these ideas. Each component has a timeline associated with it that has flexibility when the City determines a need for the park component.

All the components are broken up into different phases, the first being the streets, site grading and utilities because of the deadline of 2013 in the donation agreement. The phasing information is included in the Master Plan which can be found on the City’s website (www.ci.watertown.mn.us)

• Phase I: Streets, site grading and utilities Phase I map
• Phase II: Splash pad/swimming pool/multi-use park building
• Phase III: Picnic area, campground, Luce Line Trail Head, and bathroom shelter
• Phase IV: Amphitheatre, dog park, ropes course, and sports court

A ropes course was highly favorable by the students at the Watertown-Mayer Elementary School. Due to the proximity to the adjacent school and given the interest in the ropes course, an area has been designated on the plans to accommodate this type of activity. The location of the ropes course was chosen given the mature trees and elevation changes in the area indicated on the plans. There is also a recently established wetland and ample trails that bisect the designated area. A local example, students and teachers from the Wayzata High School helped design and construct the Wayzata High School Ropes Course in August 2008. Watertown could design and construct a ropes course with a similar partnership with the school district.

The amphitheatre varies in size from concept to concept. The amphitheatre can have built in seating or no designated seating at all. The pictures above show concrete benches for a more permanent setting and one with the land tiered. The amphitheatre may be constructed more easily in an area with a natural elevation change. This would allow the seating area to view the stage with minimal obstructions. Issues to consider will be sound, size, and seating requirements. Below are examples of amphitheatres in a variety of designs.

The plan calls for a building approximately 5,000 SF. This building will be of sufficient size able to provide space for general gatherings, concession sales for the athletic fields, community gathering space, and swimming pool and changing/locker room for the swimming pool. The building is similar in size to the Gale Woods Park Pavilion (Three Rivers Park District). The building may have flexible space inside that could accommodate a wide array of activities and uses.

A dog park can take on many shapes and sizes. The design and ultimate layout would involve area dog owners. A roughly 1-1.5 acre site has been designated on the plans. This area can be expanded to 2-3 acres if necessary to accommodate a larger park. The dog park area designated on the plan was oriented to take advantage of parking and the trails system throughout the park.

Several parks near Watertown were explored to sample design techniques. A dog park presents a social element for the owners as well as the dogs so it is important to accommodate amenities for both the people and the dogs.

There are some design alternatives in the master plan to intended to accomodate changes in demand for park and recreation components as the park is built out over multiple years. The multi-purpose athletic fields space was designed to fit regulation size sports that may include soccer, lacrosse, football and rugby. Another design alternative in the plan is the sports court area designed to accomodate 2-4 tennis courts, basketball, or volleyball courts or combination of the three. The courts were positioned to provide picnic users with an active recreation opportunity typically associated with family or group gatherings.

One of the top components from the public feedback was a swimming pool. Throughout the discussions of the master plan, the Park Commission discussed options that the City could consider as a water feature in the park, recognizing that a swimming pool is a significant cost. The plan includes considerations for a swimming pool or splash park which would be discussed by the City Council and Park Commission in the future as funding permits. Below is an example of a splash park.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, the City Council approved the Community Park Master Plan. The Community Park Master Plan is a working document which begins to assign a conceptual order of importance and identifies the first priorities for developing the system. It provides a framework for short-term decision making and long-term planning and should be revisited annually during planning and capital budgeting discussions. The Community Park design program includes the following elements:

• Associated support facilities (parking, stormwater treatment, entrance roads)
• Amphitheater
• Campground/Picnic Area
• Community Gathering Area
• Dog Park
• Luce Line Trail Head
• Multi-use Park Building
• Multi-Purpose Athletic Fields (football, soccer, lacrosse, rugby)
• Picnic and Bathroom Shelters
• Ropes Course/Outdoor Classroom
• Sports Courts (Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball)
• Splash Pad and/or swimming pool
• Wetland restoration/creation

The plan provides flexibility for several park components. The master plan outlines the area that may be needed for each component. The scoping and feasibility of each component would be the first step in implementation as each item is initiated depending on funding availability. Community Park Master Plan pdf

The City first began looking for property for a community park in 2003 following completion of the Park Improvement Study, completed by Thibault Associates. The study categorized all of the City’s existing park facilities and in doing so identified several deficiencies. The primary deficiency indicated a need for a large community park facility. At that time, the City of Watertown has began pursuing a property suitable for accommodating a community park. On December 9, 2008, the City received a parcel of land suitable for a community park from Jerry and Kathy Berg. The property is located just east of the Watertown– Mayer Elementary School on County Road 20. Public participation was critical in developing the master plan for the community park. The plan development timeline outlines the public participation process and meetings the Park Commission and City Council went through to get to this point. Many steps along the way included public meetings and opportunities for public participation.

Over 100 people attended the community park open house on April 21st held at the new community park property just east of the Watertown-Mayer Elementary School at the corner of County Road 20 and Paul Avenue. There was a lot of great input from people. People who came to the open house were given the opportunity to comment on the park elements in the park and what they thought was their highest priorities. All the information was compiled and the following was the list of priorities from the people who came to the open house:
1) Athletic fields
2) Swimming pool
3) Sports courts
4) Ropes course/outdoor classroom
5) Picnic and bathroom shelter
6) Amphitheater
7) Campground/picnic area
Community gathering area
9) Splash pad
10) Dog park
11) Luce Line Trail head
12) Multi-use park building

The Park Commission will be taking this information and discussing what to do next. Please contact the City if you have any questions.

By popular demand, a dog park is shown in the final park scheme. The timeline for the dog park as well as the funding source is unknown at this time. We are hoping that a group of dog owners and future park users will come together and design the dog park. The dog park in Burnsville called Alimagnet Park is a very popular park and was created by a group of residents. Visit http://www.alimagnetdogpark.org/ for more information.