The Waterfront - Water Play Area Planning

As part of the city's community park system, a water-centric park known as The Waterfront has been envisioned for more than a decade in Ramsey's downtown. This Fall, the mass grading for the park was completed and seeding will occur in the Spring of 2024. Last Winter, the Park & Recreation Commission performed a detailed analysis of how a park building could best serve the community— this process resulted in a concept for an approximate 37,000 gross square foot two-story building, consisting of mass timber construction; and including dining, fitness, large indoor play area, gallery, and banquet space.  The structure with proposed indoor and outdoor program areas is essentially a modern community center, with outdoor water-play elements replacing a traditional public swimming pool.

The purpose of this case is to explore concepts for the outdoor spaces and water play areas, heretofore referred to as the 'slash pad'—a recreational amenity that residents have been requesting for many years, along with a 'community center'.

For the meeting, staff will review the water play planning process to date, together with the all the considerations and goals of the project. 

This case does not authorize funding. The primary funding for the outdoor water play elements would be the Park Trust Fund.

Staff recommends an analysis of the many different considerations for this important recreational amenity—recognizing also, that this is early in the concept planning process, and there is no deadline for final decisions at this time.

Provide consensus direction on all aspects of the scope of the water play area of The Waterfront.