Parks in drive
Pfaender and Lakeside developments approved
The 6.6 acres of Pfaender Park could have a range of amenities added in phases following the approval of developments. File photo by Dylan Jackson
Development plans for Lakeside Park could include a playground and shelter. File photo by Dylan Jackson
The 6.6 acres of Pfaender Park could have a range of amenities added in phases following the approval of developments. File photo by Dylan Jackson
Development plans for Lakeside Park could include a playground and shelter. File photo by Dylan Jackson
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NEW ULM - Pfaender and Lakeside parks were approved as the next two neighborhood park developments following Monday's Park and Recreation Commission meeting.
During a work session in September, the Commission toured six park locations to determine which were the most ready for development. These parks included Pfaender, North Highland, Maplewood, Lakeside, Pollinator and South Market.
Following discussion, the group decided that Pfaender and Lakeside parks aligned most with the park development evaluation chart.
Criteria on the chart included proximity to other neighborhood parks, residential development, population in the vicinity, accessibility and land conditions.
There is no set timeline for the development of Pfaender and Lakeside parks, but Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said that the next step is creating conceptual plans for development.
"Lakeside is a smaller property," Schugel said. "It would be a great use for a playground, a shelter and some other amenities."
Lakeside Park, which totals 1.5 acres, is located on the south side of town at 2315 Lake Ave. The flat area was one draw to developing the park. Another was demand. The 0.5 mile radius around Lakeside Park is home to 492 households. North Park is the closest developed park to Lakeside Park, which is 1.6 miles away.
"Pfaender is a little more unique," Schugel said.
Located behind North Highland Ave. and past the 5th North hill, Pfaender is 6.6 acres of flat grass. During the tour in September, ideas for soccer fields were tossed around.
Soccer fields and other amenities are possible.
"There might be a lot of different ideas and opportunities that could be in more of a phase schedule," Schugel said of Pfaender Park.
Schugel said that neighborhood engagement is important for development going forward.
"We want them to feel good about what's going on in their neighborhood and have a voice," Schugel said. "We will directly engage the neighborhoods but that doesn't mean anyone out there couldn't voice their opinion as we move through the process of what those parks could look like."
Discussions on development going forward will begin as soon as 2027.
Current Master Plans for the two parks can be found at newulmmn.gov/610/New-Ulm-Park-and-Recreation-Master-Plan