Braemar Park Master Plan Implementation

Sometimes projects include more than the eye can see. Braemar Golf Dome Parking expansion includes critical stormwater infrastructure the is being constructed underneath the final parking lot grade. This includes basins and settlement areas that improve water quality and treat stormwater and promote infiltration after stomr events. Construction of the storm sewer and underground stormwater management system are now complete. The contractor has begun grading and placement of the rock base for the new parking lot and along Braemar Blvd.

Next week, work on the new trash enclosure and lighting/electric vehicle charging system will take place. Soon after curbs and paving will be completed.

Storm infiltration system that will treat new parking surface

Storm system resides under parking surface

Construction continues at Braemar Golf Dome in preparation for the parking lot expansion. The road closure is in effect, allowing for stormwater piping and infrastructure to be placed. Once utilities are in place work will begin to set final grade and forms will be placed for curbing. Paving will occur later this month. Thank you for your patience through the road closure and detours.

Construction began this week on the parking lot expansion with demolition of retaining wall and grading of the area north of the existing parking lot. On site grading will continue into the middle of next week, with some trucks present doing hauling activities as well. Construction of the new storm sewer and underground detention system will begin during road closure.

REMINDER: Braemar Blvd will be closing to traffic beginning on Wednesday, July 29. A detour to Valley View Rd and US 169 Frontage Road will be in place. The closure is expected to be in place for approximately one month.

A portion of the hiking trail will be closed for the new Parking Lot, Pickleball, and Trailhead construction. The trail will be re-connected and rerouted during the completion of the project in the fall. Connection will also be made between biking trails and parking lot.

Construction will start with grading and demolition July 20th at Braemar Golf Dome. Excavation and grading will allow for utilities and stormwater infrastructure to be placed before paving can be installed. A road closure starting July 28th to mid August is required in order to place utilities. No thru traffic will be allowed from the 169 frontage road to the Hilary Lane/ Valley View round about. Detours will be posted. Access to Braemar Arena and South Metro Safety Center will remain available.

Staff continues to work with designers to integrate and implement Master Plan features and elements. The next phase that is ready for implementation is the expansion of the parking area at the Braemar Golf Dome. This expansion will increase safety for Hilary Lane and Golf Dome and Trail users. This will help alleviate on street parking pressures and improve sightlines and circulation. The expansion of hard surface will also serve to incorporate a new seasonal pickleball practice space. This space convert the 38 space expansion into 4 pickleball practice courts for use May-October. The expansion will also serve as a trailhead for the new hiking and biking trails in the summer. This project is working in conjunction with other master plan elements such as natural resources and reforestation goals, as well as stormwater and Braemar Blvd/ Hilary Lane future improvements. City Council will consider the first phase of preconstruction work for implementation on March 17th with a tree removal package. Construction would begin after the Dome closes in May. A construction package will be brought to council for approvals later this spring.

Braemar Park's Trails are open for winter recreation. Thanks to a great basecoat of snow Braemar Trails are open for users.

Cross Country Skiers: A 5k or 2 mile loop is open for both Classical and Skate skiers. A 12 foot groomed trail is available for skate skiers and a 6 foot trail with tracks is available for classical skiers.

Walkers: A 4 foot trail has been snow groomed for walkers that covers much of the course leaving from the south end of the parking lot. Paved trails are also cleared along Hilary lane and link with our Citywide sidewalk system. Please keep off ski trails and follow City-wide leash laws.

Snowshoers: Snowshoeing is encouraged on our soft surface hiking trails that goes throughout the hills around the park. Snowshoers are also welcome to use mountain bike trails but should be aware it is a shared trail in the winter. Please stay off ski trails and areas golf course areas not designated as trails.

Fat tire bikers: Mountain biking trails are open for fat tire bikers with the exception of the black jumpline trail. Please keep in mind these are not groomed trails and are shared in the winter to snowshoers. No bikes are allowed on golf course.

WE ARE CURRENTLY UPDATING MAPS AND SIGNAGE, WE WILL POST ADDITIONAL TRAIL MAPS.

Thank you to all the volunteers that helped on Arbor Day. We were able to plant over 200 trees to add to restoration and future canopy and habitat at Braemar Park. A great group of volunteers helped us to enhance our Eastern Trail border off Gleason and contributed greatly to our future canopy and trail habitat.

Thanks to all our volunteers

The annual Arbor Day celebration and tree planting comes to Braemar Golf Course this year to enhance the natural areas around the courses.

• Volunteers of all ages are welcome to join the celebration 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 25. Those who volunteer are asked to meet in the courtyard area next to the Braemar Golf Course Clubhouse, 6364 John Harris Drive.
• Park Maintenance staff will demonstrate how to properly plant a tree, then divide the volunteers into groups that will fan out across the area to plant more trees.
• Prior to the event, Park Maintenance will use an auger to break up the soil at the planting spots, so no heavy digging will be required. Shovels and other equipment will be provided.
• Volunteers should bring gloves and wear closed-toed shoes and clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.

Volunteers are asked to register in advance at EdinaMN.gov/ArborDay to help plan the needed supplies and groups. Walk-up volunteers can register at the event.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. A limited number of free tree saplings will be handed out so volunteers can plant a tree in their own yards.

Warmer weathers have us dreaming of summer and trails opening. The City has signed a multi year restoration contract with RES to maintain and enhance the natural areas in the hill around Braemar Park. This team is already hard at work removing additional areas of buckthorn and preparing for a season of invasive species management and restoration seeding to enhance and restore the woodland and oak savannas around the park.

At Courtney Fields contractor are still at work finishing safety netting and site work to prepare for the 2025 baseball season. The playground will also be completed this spring and available for use to visitors and neighborhood public. We will keep you updated and let you know when it is ready for play.