Maple Grove Enhancing Parks and Recreation Facilities
Maple Grove is undergoing an impressive transformation in its parks and recreational facilities, as the city’s Parks and Recreation Department embarks on several exciting projects.
Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Director, shared details on the ongoing initiatives that aim to improve the community’s outdoor spaces.
An Annual Program to Replace Aging Playgrounds
In line with their commitment to providing safe and enjoyable recreational spaces, the Parks and Recreation Department has launched an annual program to replace aging playgrounds.
Playground equipment in Fish Lake Woods, Forestview Ponds, Golden Rod Marsh, and Lakeview Knolls parks will be replaced, creating enhanced play areas for children and families.
“This is an annual program, and we’re replacing playgrounds that have aged out at about twenty to twenty-five years,” Stifter explained.
Expanding Lakeview Knolls Park
Lakeview Knolls Park is currently undergoing its second phase of improvements.
“We are adding pickleball courts, a restroom building, and a parking lot to support that new amenity,” said Stifter.
Rendering of Gleason Field
The Gleason Field Project
One of the biggest projects of the Parks and Recreation Department is the Gleason Field project, which involves the development of a baseball and softball complex.
“The park has four artificial turf fields, basically focused on youth sports, so they’re youth size, with one full-sized field,” Stifter explained.
The project will also feature a new concession building with restrooms, a playground, pickleball courts, an expanded outdoor ice facility, and an improved sledding hill.
“Gleason Fields is really a tournament complex, and we anticipate hosting a number of events out here,” explained Stifter. “All the fields are lit, so they’re all artificial turf, which really expands the season, which is one of the reasons we went with this type of construction.”
The artificial turf fields will allow athletes to begin practicing in early spring as soon as the snow melts, extending the playing season. The illuminated fields will offer opportunities for games and events to be held later into the season.
In addition to the ongoing initiatives, the Parks and Recreation Department has completed three playground replacements at Grove West, Hidden Meadows Park and Boundary Creek.
Visit the city of Maple Grove’s website to learn more about the projects.
