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Splashpad may be installed at Harman Park

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission recommended a new donated splashpad be located at Harman Park.

A splashpad is an aquatic feature with no standing water or depth. It is described as playground equipment with water spraying features.

In November 2018, the city council accepted a donated splashpad from Barbara Haroldson valued at $115,000 on the condition the city would fund the site preparation and utility hookups.

Staff recommended locating the splashpad at Harman Park due to its central location, restroom and amenities. Nehls, Riverside and German Parks were also considered. Nehls and Riverside Parks were eliminated due to a lack of restrooms and off-street parking. German Park was eliminated from consideration because a splashpad would likely conflict with summer concerts and other events.

Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz said Harman Park would also have the lowest utility cost for hookup.

The splashpad will be a non-recirculating. This means the water features will only function for a time after a button is pushed. The city will not need to filter the water or sanitize with chlorine. This is the same splashpad model as the pad in Red Wing.

Since the splashpad will have no standing water, a lifeguard will not need to monitor the site.

Kiesling House lease switches to BCHS

The commissioner recommended the city accept Kathleen Backer’s notice of lease termination and authorize the city manager to sign a new lease agreement with the Brown County Historical Society (BCHS) to operate historical programing at Kiesling House.

Backer has leased the building and provided programing for the building for the last three summers. Backer is the executive director of the BCHS, but for the past three years she has coordinated the programing as an individual not associated with the BCHS. She has given notice of her plan to terminate her lease and is recommending BCHS take over Kiesling House operations under a new lease. The Kiesling house would operate the building similarly to how Backer, including exhibits, displays and programing.

Schmitz said this was an appropriate operation and programming function for the Kiesling House. He believes Backer had done a wonderful job with the site for the last three years and signing a new lease with historical professionals at the BCHS was great option.

The commissioners unanimously approved the recommended lease change. The BCHS is already planning programming for next season.

Pollinator Park

nominated for monarch waystation

The commissioners made a recommendation to nominate the city’s Pollinator Park at 2525 N. Broadway as a designated monarch waystation through MonarchWatch.org and the University of Kansas.

Deb Steinberg said the monarch waystation program posts signs on pollinator locations from Mexico to Canada. The program helps with the conservation of the monarch butterfly, which requires milkweed to help it migrate south.

The Pollinator Park already meets the guidelines to be a monarch waystation, but the application and sign costs are needed. The total coast for application and sign is $40.95.

The commission unanimously approved the recommendation. Commissioner Gene Slettedahl said the Pollinator Park is a real gem in the community.

Boiler replacement

The Recreation Center boiler replacement project plans and specifications were recommended for approval.

Funds for this project were approved by the city in December. It is budged at $995,000. The engineer’s updated estimate for the entire project is $753,186.53.

The design bidding and construction administration was awarded to ISG, Inc., in January.

The Recreation Center has two original boilers that are approximately 40 years old and beyond the manufacturer’s estimated life span. The new boiler system is expected to be significantly more efficient.

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