The Hopkins Parks Department surveyed hundreds of residents to find out how they feel about their parks and how the parks might be improved. The park-specific feedback received is very valuable to the City and the Park Board and will be used to help plan the most cost-effective way to maintain and improve Hopkins’ parks in the years ahead. There were many positive comments on the park system and many people expressed a strong belief in the importance of our parks for both the neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
Park-specific information from the returned surveys can be found below.
Please do not hesitate to contact any Park Board member or the Public Works Department with questions or to make additional comments. These are your parks and we would welcome hearing from you!
Director of Public Works:
Steve Stadler, sstadler@hopkinsmn.com
Park Board Members:
Doug Datta, dmdatta@qwest.net
Molly Cummings shelmolly@aol.com
Ron Helgeson, rhelge60@aol.com
Aaron Kuznia, aaronkuznia@hotmail.com
Sharon Paulson, spaulson7@comcast.net
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to upgrade the play equipment. Other answers to that question were:
- increased general maintenance
- add trees and shrubs
- add picnic tables
- add shaded seating area
- improve skating rink
- add hockey rink and warming house
- clean the play equipment
- keep the sledding hill
- add toddler play area
- put in a water fountain
- improve drainage area on the East side of the park
- repair and keep the merry-go-round
- “leave as is”
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- shelter and benches for skating
- add restrooms
- more refuse containers
- keep geese off grass
- add adult swings
- more seating
- frisbee golf
- bocci ball courts
- a dog play area
- add a soccer field
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to upgrade the play equipment. Other answers to that question were:
- picnic shelter/warming house improvement
- add restrooms
- general updating of the park
- better turf and landscape maintenance
- add a tennis court
- improve the softball area
- improve parking
- add adult swings
- replace the metal slide
- improve lighting
- improve bike and pedestrian path
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- shade
- remove the old monkey bars
- skate park
- spray for mosquitoes
- tennis court
- restroom
- warming house upgrade
- portable toilet
- toddler-friendly play equipment
- horseshoe pits
- an emergency phone
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to get rid of the geese. Other answers to that question were:
- need bathroom availability
- better drainage
- better maintenance of turf
- security lights
- better and repaired play equipment
- upgrade the picnic table area
- add garbage cans and signage encouraging people to pick up
- have a more visible police presence
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- a splash or wading pool
- basketball court
- sand volleyball court
- a tot play area for younger kids
- make the park usable during the winter with an indoor facility
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to allow dogs on leash. Other answers to that question were:
- have bathrooms available all year
- trim bushes by the tennis courts
- improve security
- add benches near the play area
- get rid of the basketball area
- re-do street with curb and gutter
- add a sidewalk on Minnetonka Mills Road
- add lighting
- add a fence between the parking lot and the playground
- bring back the hockey boards
- maintain equipment and shelter
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- add a board for tennis
- add a splash pool
- put in jumps for rollerblades and skateboards
- miniature golf
- put in a physical fitness course
- add a stage or theatre for events
- add a soccer field
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to add more shade trees. Other answers to that question were:
- play equipment upgrade
- picnic shelter
- place to park bikes
- stop alley parking on grass
- add tables and BBQ grills
- better turf management
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- picnic shelter
- half court basketball (several opposed)
- picnic amenities
- tennis court
- 4-square area
- horseshoe pits
- benches
- dog park
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to improve safety of park. Other answers to that question were:
- allow dogs
- improve maintenance
- upgrade play equipment
- improve trails
- add benches
- remove graffiti more often
- clean up Nine Mile Creek
- keep bathrooms open or add a porta-potty near the play area
- improve basketball courts
- remove basketball courts
- stop dogs from using the park
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- dog park/play area
- tennis courts
- wading or splash pool
- environmental awareness signs
- volleyball courts
- disc golf
- broomball
- add benches
- shade trees
- repair basketball hoops
- add a golf driving range
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
The most frequent answer was to upgrade play equipment. Other answers to that question were:
- keep it cleaner
- water the lawn
- keep cats out of sandbox
- enforce the no-dog rule
- add shade
- new baby swings
- restrooms
- tennis courts
- security
- add dog baggies
- clean up graffiti
- fence to contain basketballs
- trim the grass
Another question asked what potential future amenities should be considered. Responses included:
- bathroom
- more play equipment
- shade trees at the play area
- volleyball
- full-court basketball
- replace the airplane
- ballfield backstop
- add benches
Question #1: “What is the number one way this park can be improved?”
We received only 8 responses to the survey. Suggested improvements included:
- more seating
- play equipment for younger ages
- more frequent park clean-up
Conclusions from a May 2007 Wilder Research Blake Road Corridor Assessment included the following suggested improvements for Cottageville Park:
- improve the visibility and accessibility of the park
- provide some type of community center facility
- general park upgrade, non-specific