Strachauer Park Master Plan

Not ideal- too busy

Trying to fit too much into one space. No extra parking is needed as there is plenty of street parking available for those coming for soccer. Most families walk to the park, it's one of the main reasons we moved to the neighborhood. The pond is a nice idea, but then we lose the dedicated hockey rink with boards and the dog park in the off season. I think having the grassy area flooded as overflow skating is so nice for families in the winter, and then it can also be used for play in the summer. The pond poses safety issues for kids, more mosquitos, and so close to the road, and will become dirty and littered with trash, as there is already lots of trash accumulated along the 62 highway fence already. Not the right park for pickle ball courts, as the Mooty PB Courts are so close, and would also be an eye sore to those who live across the street. Basketball court should be more centrally located near the playground for same reasons. Love having the giant flex lawn for play. I like having the naturalized edge, but need more sound barrier from the highway.

increase berm and tall / evergreen plantings along Hwy 62 to screen the highway

Screen Hwy 62 with landscaping

Not a fan of the Pond

Many reasons not a fan of the Pond idea. Safety for the kids playing at the playground, taking up space that could be used for something else, also we live very close to the park close to where the pond would be and we get so much dust and dirt from the highway, wonder if the pond would just end up gross and smelly due to highway runoff? If that area is going to be anything but a field more trees to block highway sounds and dirt would be ideal! I think keeping the hockey rink over pickle ball is important. I watch so many groups play hockey in the winter at those rinks, there are many kids who can’t or don’t play hockey for Edina and it’s a good place for those kids to be able to play the sport for fun that is so central to our community. If the pickle ball courts are a must they need to be more centralized.

Splash pad

Might be too late of an idea, but I think a nice simple splash pad for little kids would be fun. they have a very nice one in St. Louis Park.

No pond

I think the pond is dangerous for little kids. I thought there was an incident last year at another Edina pond. I don't think we need that.

Feels Like Too Much Again

Similar to the "Red Concept" this design feels like there is too much in one park. I do like the location of the building moving to a more central location in the park surrounded by green space and play equipment. I am not sure many people use adult fitness areas and would be okay with those going away from the plan. Like the "Red Concept" I do not support any plan that eliminates the hockey rink as it is used by neighborhood residents, men's league, and the Edina Hockey Association. Again - if there would be a way to have a temporary/seasonal rink set up in the "flex lawn" in the winter months that could work. In this scenario I also envision a lot of people parking along the east side of Beard Place, which could be annoying for residents living there. Also - pickle ball courts require fencing and I worry those could be an eyesore so close to resident's front yards. This is probably my least favorite designs of the four presented - but exciting to see change!

Like the dog park. Eliminate pond and PB courts, add a hockey rink.

A Grand Neighborhood Park!

The old soccer fields are an asset to all of Edina, they just don't belong in a very small neighborhood park. And the Hockey Rink does't belong here either for the same reasons. Hockey is a great sport and the rinks are important for City wide use, just not taking up space here. Blocking freeway noise opens up the park to all kinds of enjoyable family centered uses and the new pond has the potential to be the centerpiece of quiet and natural delight.

More green space, water too close

Similar to the red plan, I think the water feature at a park is risky. I do not the adult fitness areas would ever get uses. I don't know that anyone would use the hammock area when it's that close to 62 without a sound barrier. Expanded parking not needed if soccer goes. Love the pickleball and basketball courts.

Hammock Grove?

This is probably my least favorite design. Who is going to use hammock grove next to a highway? Also, where are all the people using the basketball and pickleball courts going to park because there is only parking on one side of the street? The traffic is already busy with soccer season - does that mean soccer is being removed from Strachauer? What about a skating rink and warming house? Edina is know for hockey and we are proud of it - shouldn't we be promotting that?

Best Concept

This is my favorite concept out of the four presented. The amenities are all centrally located, and there’s a lot of green space available to play football, soccer, baseball or fly a kite. For the skating / flex lawn, is there a plan for a hockey rink? I’ve heard multiple park visitors mentioned how Strachauer Park has had some of the best ice in Edina. The next closest outdoor hockey rink is 1.5 miles away in Pamela Park, and it would seem odd to not have this available in our neighborhood park.

Favorite

This one is my favorite so far, it feels much more like what we already have just updated and improved. My only complaint with this one is the dog park on that narrow strip of land between the highway and 62nd. If it could be moved in to avoid noise from dogs playing and fences right at the edge of the park that would ideal.

Hockey Rink Boards / no Stormwater

I feel that permanent hockey rink boards need to be part of any plan, as a rink without boards is not meaningfully useful. Hockey is central to our community between association play and neighborhood play and draws in all ages of users. This plan seems to have the best balance and the best use of space. I like that this plan does not have a storm water area. I wonder if a stormwater area could potentially dry out in the summer and be an eyesore / not usable.

Best option

This park is one of the main reasons we moved to this neighborhood and we love the simplicity of it. Dog park, flex play/skating, a new playground with a shelter or small covered area with benches, centralized basketball court and big area to play in for soccer and free play. We don't need to complicate it with more. It would be nice to have more protection and sound barriers from the highway. I don't think we need pickle ball here, since the Mooty courts are so close, it would make it more crowded. Simple is BEST!

Missing the pond...

While this is a good plan I think the pond for stormwater/skating is sorely missed. No conservation message and while there is space for skating I fear the hockey players will take over the entire space. The addition of the sledding hill will create some sound buffering but I agree with others that a Sound Wall is the best solution. (but I do enjoy the sledding idea-very little technical gear, needed.)

Can we add the dog run?

This is my favorite plan as I like the buffering sledding hill along highway 62. I love the pond and the winter skating availability. I disagree that we need a permanent hockey rink and couldn't we just use seasonal batter boards, instead? I like the pickleball courts and I agree that additional parking is unnecessary.

Good additions but Dog Park and Permanent Hockey Rink needed

I think that the pickle ball courts and sledding hill are great additions to the park. The sledding hill is a creative way to block highway noise. To benefit the view, could pickle ball courts be built without fences? However, losing two highly used amenities, the dog park and hockey rink boards, in favor of a stormwater area seems like a big net loss.

2nd best option

I like this option 2nd best compared to Green option (my 1st choice). I like that there is more green space and room for pickup sports and play, but again, PickleBall courts and a pond option aren't preferred or necessary. Would rather have a dedicated ice rink/ dog park/run and keep the park simple- this is why many come to this park! Move the play ground to the middle away from street for saftey. Like that parking has been removed as most walk to the park.

No dog area :(

I dislike a lot of things about this plan - no parking, no dog park, no rink to make into a dog park.

Similar to the Red and Blue Concepts

Similar to the Red, and Blue Concepts. The pickleball courts are along Beard Place, and parking is limited to one side of the road. I would recommend this be more centralized. In addition, winter skating over a pond may be hazardous. The last few winters we’ve significant temperature swings, and this seems to be a safety hazard waiting to happen. For one of Edina's smaller parks, adding a pond that takes up a larger footprint doesn't seem to take advantage of the park amenities in relation to the city's core values.

Expand & Enhance Dog Park

They are several opportunities the city should consider to improve the dog park used by many local neighbors. The existing dog park is used frequently by locals, but improving this offering would appeal to the broader community. Increase available space for off leash activities & make available year round. Existing structure is limited in space and provides only seasonal use. Increase fence to 5-6ft in height and build a better gate system for secure entry/exit. Plant natural habitat for dogs to explore and promote habitat for pollinators. Additional maintenance should include filling of holes that have been dug to ensure pet and owener safety. Consider adding obstacle or agility course and/or a water feature (splash pad/pond/pool). The park needs shade options via trees or small covered shelter for both dogs and owners. By implementing some or all of the above changes, the city has an opportunity to create an outstanding & unique environment for the community. The city could benefit through increased yearly revenue as the dog park would likely draw in more dog permits due to enhanced offerings.

Add landscaping around signs

Add more areas for seating

Add a pickleball court.

Dedicated dog park space

Rather than a seasonal park that serves as a hockey rink in the winter, create a dog park that can be used year round with the proper gates and fencing