Orono seeks grant for Hackberry Park work

The Orono City Council approved a resolution to seek a grant from Hennepin County Youth Athletics for improvements to Hackberry Park at its Sept. 23 meeting. The council was split in a 4-1 vote.

This marks the second time the city has pursued grant money for the project, with Orono applying for the grant last September but being denied any funding.

“Council has all received emails indicating that there’s been some real confusion and lack of cohesion around the vision for this city park,” said council member Alisa Benson, who voted against seeking the grant at this time.

The park has several stakeholders engaging in youth sports, including baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and football. These groups met with the Park Commission last year to share ideas and proposals for the park.

The large number of participating groups advocating for limited space may have hampered the city’s ability to find an encompassing solution, though it’s worth noting no usage and participation data has been shared.

“We as a council have not seen a cohesive presentation from stakeholders– it’s been a lot of anecdotal evidence around this park. There’s not necessarily a good understanding from different groups including the neighborhood, the Baseball Association, and other sporting associations about this plan,” Benson said.

The park’s neighbors have discussed the park as well, with a community member addressing the council Sept. 23 about the park during public comment. “I was at all the listening sessions, and the neighborhood was not in agreement with that last master plan,” said Janie Delaney. “I think it should go back to the drawing board.”

The council’s disagreement was partially based on the timing of the grant and the process of completing the project.

“This is part of the process, and there’s more community engagement and involvement to come,” council member Matt Johnson said. “Let’s understand how much money is available to us from a grant-side to understand what amenities we can offer here.”

The Park Commission hosted listening sessions last spring and late summer in which citizens discussed concerns over existing drainage issues, parking issues, and planning considerations for the multi-use field and athletics space.

“We already know there’s a need, we already know there’s flooding issues there, we already know there’s parking issues there. Those are not anecdotal things. Those are things that all we know for sure, so something needs to be done with the park,” Johnson continued.

The city’s contracted designer for the project, Bolton & Menk, provided a concept plan in July, 2023 that included a new 180’ x 300’ multi-use field that could accommodate soccer levels up to U12, a teeball/softball field with dugouts and bleachers, a parking lot of 50 standard and 3 ADA spots, and a shelter in the center of the park.

The proposed plans also include mass grading and a stormwater pond to help alleviate drainage issues.

The project has an estimated cost ranging from $750,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the final scope of the project once awarded the grant, the agenda item says. The maximum grant amount is $300,000, with the remaining project cost is expected to be made via sponsors, grants, and the city’s Park Fund. The project scope may be reduced depending on the size of the grant, City Administrator/Engineer Adam Edwards said at the meeting.

Finance Director Maggie Jin says the rest of the park’s funding would come primarily from the Park Fund, which she says is sitting at $497,000, with Edwards noting that the Stormwater Fund would be used towards the drainage and stormwater improvement expenses.

Jin says that the city is still expecting to receive another $100,000 in levy revenues before the year ends, and that next year’s park levy of $200,000 could additionally help fund the park.

Hennepin County Youth Athletics will announce grant recipients and amounts early next year.