Otsego awards bid for Carrick’s Landing Park improvements

Canoe, kayak access and picnic shelter, other amenities coming to riverfront park

by Joni Astrup

Associate Editor

Carrick’s Landing Park, located near Highway 101 in Otsego, will see some key improvements this year to enhance access to the Mississippi River and capitalize on the park’s riverfront location.

The Otsego City Council voted 5-0 May 28 to award the contract for the park improvements to the low bidder, Vada Contracting of Cokato.

There were three bidders. Vada Contracting’s bid was $434,482. The other two were for $619,545 and $766,455.

Vada Contracting was earlier approved to do the Ashwood Park project in Otsego. Because the company will already be mobilized in Otsego, Parks and Recreation Director Nick Jacobs said that was one of the company’s cost-saving measures that helped with the low bid for Carrick’s Landing Park.

“We’re very happy with how bids came in. This really is a great situation for the city to be in,” Jacobs told the City Council.

Besides awarding the bid, the City Council also authorized the purchase and installation of a ramp and dock from Marine Dock and Lift for $86,268 and the purchase and installation of park signage from Albrecht Sign Company for $27,830, all for Carrick’s Landing Park.

Total project cost is estimated at $695,580. That includes the Vada bid ($434,482), direct purchase of the dock, ramp, signage and trash and recycling receptacles ($134,098) as well as engineering and survey ($40,000), landscape architect ($62,000) and a construction contingency ($25,000), according to city documents.

To help cover the cost of the project, the city has been awarded a $350,000 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant — the maximum grant amount available.

Project cost total for the city of Otsego will be $356,482 after grant reimbursement, according to city documents.

Among the components of the project are kayak and canoe access including the dock that will be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible with a kayak launch and take-out. Other amenities will include 8-feet-wide concrete steps to the river’s edge, a picnic shelter, a deck overlooking the river, a short boardwalk, signage and new opportunities for shoreline fishing.

The riverbank will also be restored with native trees and shrubs.

While most of the work on the park will be done in 2024, Paddle Port rental stations are planned to be added in 2025 as a later phase of the project. Paddle Ports are self-serve kayak rental systems.

Carrick’s Landing Park is located at 9050 Quantrelle Ave., just east of Guardian Angels.