Crystal Seeks Input on Future of City Parks
In the southeast corner of Crystal sits an 85-acre slice of nature known as Bassett Creek Park.
“I love this park cause it’s close to home. It’s a good, wooded-trail,” said Kelly Dahmen of Crystal. “Got my engagement photos taken here.”
Bassett Creek Park is enjoyed by folks in the neighborhood and people looking for a scenic area to play a round of disc golf.
“Yeah the disc golf course is constantly packed,” Dahmen said. “It’s always busy, no matter the weekday or weekend, which is good to see. I like seeing the parks being used.”
Yet while it’s certainly a popular course, city officials say there’s room for improvement.
“Park planning is an exciting time,” said Crystal Recreation Director John Elholm.
Elholm says the disc course at Bassett Creek Park is one of five park projects slated for 2023. The city is looking to expand the course to 18 holes and do some prairie restoration work.
The disc golf course at Bassett Creek Park is one of the Crystal park projects slated for 2023.
But before any of that happens, they’re asking people to provide feedback on potential designs.
“Whenever we do projects in the parks in Crystal, we want to know what the public thinks,” Elholm said. “That’s an important part of what we do.”
The other parks due for upgrades in 2023 include:
- Welcome Park: (replacement of the play area/consideration of a health circuit for adults)
- Broadway Park: (replacement of the play area/picnic shelter/trail layout)
- Crystal Highlands Park: (proposal of a new picnic shelter/new paved trail layout)
- Crystal Cove Aquatic Center: (Input is currently being gathered on whether the city should replace the deep end of the pool or replace the aquatic center with a different type of recreation facility)
The input that people provide will help shape these natural treasures for years to come.
“Parks are definitely a good place to be investing, and to help build a little bit more of a community,” Dahmen said.
Meanwhile, Crystal is hosting an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Crystal Recreation Center where people can learn more about the different projects. Planners will be on hand to discuss these projects, listen to residents’ thoughts and answer questions.
For more information on the various park projects, go to the city of Crystal website.
