NEW ULM — The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission received updates Monday on the city’s master plan for parks and recreation, progress on the Hermann Monument restoration, and several upcoming projects and events.

Park and Rec Director Joey Schugel presented the master plan, a 15-year roadmap for guiding improvements across the city’s parks and recreational facilities while responding to changing community demographics and recreation trends. The plan is currently halfway complete, with a 50% draft expected this month and final adoption anticipated in April 2026.

“The goal is to provide a system that is accessible, diverse, and engaging for all members of the community,” Schugel said. “We want residents to have spaces that promote physical activity, wellness, and connection.”

Key findings from the plan include the rising popularity of pickleball, growing demand for trail connectivity, and increased interest in enhanced aquatic facilities.

The plan incorporates input from nearly 500 community survey responses, pop-up events like New Ulm Night Out, and meetings with stakeholder groups. Top priorities identified include updating existing facilities, expanding trail networks, improving access to Flandrau State Park, and enhancing recreation programming.

Park and Rec is planning a public open house in December to gather further community input on the master plan. The exact date and time will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The master plan is about shaping the next 15 years of parks in New Ulm,” Schugel said. “It’s a combination of small improvements and major capital projects, all guided by what residents value most in their community spaces.”

Later in the meeting, the commission approved a new vision statement for the Parks Department. The vision statement, developed during an October staff workshop with engineering firm ISG, emphasizes collaboration and accessibility.

The statement reads: “New Ulm’s Park and Recreation Department is rooted in historic and collaborative efforts, fostering a vibrant, collaborative system that offers diverse, accessible facilities and activities to promote an active and engaged community.”

Commission Chair Carisa Buegler said the statement reflects the department’s focus on inclusivity and long-term planning.

Schugel also updated the commission on the restoration of the Hermann Monument. Architects from McDonald and Mack have presented cost estimates, and a professional services contract was approved in early November. The department expects a detailed proposal within eight weeks and plans to request funding from state legislators in 2026. The monument remains open to visitors and is inspected annually by a structural engineer.

In other business, the commission approved a recommendation to waive Civic Center rental fees for the annual Career Expo, scheduled for March 25, 2026. The event serves 8th- and 10th-grade students from New Ulm and surrounding districts and provides career exploration opportunities.

The commission also accepted $9,278 in donations supporting local parks, including gifts for Pollinator Park, German Park paver stones, and Miller Park improvements. The New Ulm Baseball Association contributed $5,000 toward a backstop project, and the Lions Club donated funds for a playground bench.

Schugel reported recent department activities, including the completion of the North Park dugout project, progress on the Miller Park backstop, and repurposing Lincoln Park’s Tot Lot area. Seasonal winterization of parks is complete, and bathroom and shelter projects are scheduled for completion over the next year.