- Home
- Departments & Services
- Parks & Recreation
- Parks Bond Referendum
- Parks Bond Referendum
Parks Bond Referendum
Investing in Our Growing Community
Apple Valley residents continue to play an important role in helping identify the needs of the community by providing input on how to invest in our parks, trails, recreational facilities, and how to protect our natural resources.
With the growth of Apple Valley has come increasing demands on the parks and recreation system. Investing in our city’s parks and recreation facilities will help continue to attract new residents, protect property values, provide for existing residents, and draw visitors to local businesses which in turn helps support the local economy. During the pandemic, the City saw extraordinary use of our parks and trails. The high demand during this period reinforces the importance of these park amenities for users and the need for reinvestment and improvements across the entire system.
Opportunities for Changes Identified by Residents
The City asked residents what changes they would like to see in Apple Valley's park and recreation system. Using this feedback, the City developed a master plan based on community feedback. Click the tabs below to learn more about each potential project.
- Preserving Existing Park Assets
- Alimagnet Park
- Apple Valley Community Center
- Apple Valley Senior Center
- Hayes Park
- Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center
- Apple Valley Sports Arena
- Farquar Park
- Hayes Arena
- Indoor Court Facility
- Kelley Park
- Natural Resource Management
- Off-Leash Dog Park
- Redwood Park
With 51 parks covering 700+ acres, Apple Valley residents have excellent access to parks and trails. Many of the amenities such as existing playground equipment, tennis/basketball courts, tables, benches, trails, etc. need to be replaced. Updating park amenities to ensure they are meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and other codes is important for the safety of all that use the park system. Residents of all ages and backgrounds use the park and trail system to stay active and healthy, participate in sports (youth and adult), and meet new friends and neighbors. A well-maintained accessible park system is important to help maintain a high quality of life within the community.
This investment includes the replacement of playground equipment, tennis/basketball courts, trails/parking lots, a new concrete skate park, ballfield backstops/benches, lighting and irrigation systems, and other miscellaneous improvements across the entire park system.
The park is 85 acres in size and borders the city of Burnsville. The park currently has a parking lot, playground, sand volleyball, building/shelter, disc golf course, canoe racks, paved/natural trails, and other miscellaneous amenities. The park has a shoreline on Alimagnet Lake. The Cities of Apple Valley, Burnsville, and Dakota County are working on Natural Resource Management Plan to help protect and enhance the park's natural resources.
A new park master plan has been developed based on input from residents and park users. The new master plan includes a nature play area, interactive natural water play area, new restroom, and picnic shelter, Paved ADA access trails, a tree top canopy walk, implementation of a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP), and a realignment of the disc-golf course to include 18 holes to be sensitive to trees, topography and the NRMP.
Alimagnet Park is located at 211 Ridgeview Drive. View the master plan.
Opened in 1989 the facility is now 34 years old. The facility's four gyms are in good shape and are used by the community for basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickleball, and other activities. The remainder of the building's restrooms, meeting rooms, etc. need updating. The building's skylights and mechanical systems need replacement to bring the facility up to current standards and to save energy. There are in excess of 125,000 visitors to the community center each year.
The Apple Valley Community Center is located at 14603 Hayes Road. View the master plan.
Constructed in 2009, the Senior Center is just 14 years old. The facility is in good shape and provides a wonderful asset to the area's senior population. Between 1990 and 2020 the Apple Valley 60+ population has grown by nearly 15,000 seniors. The growing senior population needs additional space for programs and activities so all seniors can continue to stay healthy and be active. The facility has over 40,000 visitors annually.
Potential improvements to the Community Center and Senior Center include an expanded coffee lounge for seniors, additional program space, a woodworking shop, fitness space, an indoor playground, and updates in the meeting rooms and lobby areas of the community center.
The Apple Valley Senior Center is located at 14601 Hayes Road. View the master plan.
Proposed improvements to Hayes Park include a community garden, a lighted youth baseball/softball complex with artificial turf and fences, dugouts, a new playground and looped trails with natural areas, and additional on-site parking.
Hayes Park is located at 14603 Hayes Road. View the master plan.
Opened in 1999 the facility is now 24 years old. Mechanical systems need upgrades and replacements to improve energy efficiency and water conservation measures. Slides and other features need refurbishment to ensure their life can be extended and they can be enjoyed for the next 15-20 years. With approximately 70,000 visitors annually, the AVFAC is a popular amenity in the community.
Investments at the aquatic center include updating mechanical systems, refurbishment of slides, pool shells, and concrete, providing additional shade across the aquatic facility, and then either a potential lap pool with a climbing wall and ninja cross or a wave pool.
The Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center is located at 14421 Johnny Cake Ridge Road. View the master plan option 1 and option 2.
Opened in 1976 through a partnership with ISD 196 the arena is now 47 years old. The City and ISD 196 share in the facility operating costs and capital investments on a 50/50 basis with the City of Apple Valley staff taking the lead on daily operations. The arena's refrigeration equipment has been updated from an R-22 system to an ammonia system but the remainder of the building’s lobby, offices, locker rooms, bathrooms, and support space all need updating.
Reinvestment in the facility is necessary to meet the needs of the Apple Valley ice skating community. Mainly used for ice hockey and figure skating programs, the facility supports the High School hockey teams from Apple Valley High School and Eastview High School (boys and girls) and Apple Valley’s two youth hockey associations (Apple Valley Hockey Association and Eastview Hockey Association). The facility also supports physical education classes and the High School tennis program during the non-skating season. It is estimated that 75,000 people visit the arena annually. Improvements to the Sports Arena include additional high school locker room space, updated lobby space, and reconfiguration of existing youth locker rooms and restrooms as well.
The Apple Valley Sports Arena is located at 14452 Hayes Road. View the master plan.
The park is 11 acres and is on the city’s east side. The park currently has a parking lot, shelter, restroom building, playground, basketball court, horseshoe pits, canoe racks, tennis, sand volleyball, and other miscellaneous amenities.
The updated park master plan for Farquar includes a new playground, tennis/pickleball courts, a new restroom building and shelter, an additional fishing dock, and looped trails.
Farquar Park is located at 13266 Pilot Knob Road. View the master plan.
Built in 1995, Hayes Arena is 28 years old and still uses the original R-22 refrigeration equipment, and is owned and operated by the City of Apple Valley. As of January 2020, R-22 can no longer be manufactured or imported which means the City will need to update the refrigeration equipment, rink floor, and dasher board system. Today, Hayes is mainly used for ice hockey and figure skating programs, the facility supports the High School hockey teams from Eastview High School (boys and girls) and Apple Valley’s two youth hockey associations (Apple Valley Hockey Association and Eastview Hockey Association). Spring, Summer, and Fall ice needs of the community are met at Hayes. It is estimated that 75,000 people visit the arena annually.
Under the proposed plan, Hayes Arena would remain an ice arena. Improvements to the facility include the replacement of the R-22 refrigeration system with an ammonia system, a new rink floor to fix the issues with ice next to the dasher boards, and new dasher boards. Finally, conversion of the existing meeting room and concession space into high school locker rooms.
Hayes Arena is located at 14595 Hayes Road. View the master plan.
Increased interest in court sports such as volleyball, basketball, badminton, and pickleball means additional space is needed to meet needs and growing demands for indoor court time.
A potential addition to Hayes Arena would provide four courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and badminton. The west and east ends of the building would be mostly glass with some ability to open large “doors” during the warmer months of the year.
The park is 5.6 acres in size and has high-density housing on 3 sides. The park currently has a parking lot, restroom building, shelter, splash pad, playground, small stage, and other miscellaneous amenities.
Enlarging the performing area at Kelley Park would provide a better experience for both performers and attendees. A larger restroom facility, new playground and interactive splash pad, basketball court, public art, and additional on-site parking are planned.
Kelley Park is located at 6855 Fortino Street. View the master plan.
Wooded and natural areas across Apple Valley need attention. Invasive species such as the emerald ash borer, buckthorn, and garlic mustard are prevalent and need to be removed. Reforestation efforts should be increased to help improve these valuable resources and help improve the natural environment. The City would plant new trees, remove dead/diseased trees, create natural prairies, and remove invasive species.
Apple Valley does not have an off-leash dog area. The City provided off-leash dog runs at two outdoor hockey rinks during the summer of 2022 (Huntington & Delaney) which were well received. Residents have expressed an interest in a year-round off-leash dog park. A location for an off-leash dog area has not yet been determined.
The park is 12 acres and is divided by County Rd 42. The park currently has a parking lot, outdoor pool, playground, sand volleyball, tennis, basketball, building, shelter, ballfield(s), and other amenities. The pool and building are both 58 years old and have far surpassed their useful life.
The park master plan for Redwood includes an inclusive playground, interactive splash pad, new building and shelter with restrooms, courts for tennis, pickleball, ecua-volley, a hammock area, on-site parking, a tunnel under County Road 42, and a looped trail system.
Redwood Park is located at 311 150th St W. View the master plan.
Investment and Tax Impact
The table below outlines the investment needed for each project. Please note, we will not be able to complete all of the projects on this list. The intent of providing the entire list to the community at this time is to show the different needs and interests expressed by residents along with the associated investment(s) necessary to complete the projects and tax impacts so residents (taxpayers) are able to help prioritize what is the most important and what residents are willing to invest in.
| Item | Investment Amount | Annual Impact | Monthly Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preserving Existing Parks | $16,750,000 | $60.61 | $5.05 |
| Alimagnet Park | $6,800,000 | $25.48 | $2.12 |
| Apple Valley Community Center/Senior Center | |||
Building |
$10,600,000 | $39.72 | $3.31 |
Park Improvements |
$6,200,000 | $23.23 | $1.94 |
Youth Baseball/Softball Complex |
$5,200,000 | $19.48 | $1.62 |
| Apple Valley Family Aquatic Center | |||
Preservation of Aquatic Assets |
$6,300,000 | $23.61 | $1.97 |
Shade |
$1,800,000 | $6.74 | $0.56 |
Wave Pool |
$15,700,000 | $58.83 | $4.90 |
Lap Pool |
$5,900,000 | $22.11 | $1.84 |
| Apple Valley Sports Arena | $11,100,000 | $41.59 | $3.47 |
| Farquar Park | $5,000,000 | $18.73 | $1.56 |
| Hayes Arena | |||
Rink – Refrigeration – Locker rooms |
$4,600,000 | $17.24 | $1.44 |
Courts – Basketball, Pickleball, Volleyball, Badminton |
$18,800,000 | $70.44 | $5.87 |
| Kelley Park | $8,600,000 | $32.22 | $2.69 |
| Natural Resource Management | $3,000,000 | $11.24 | $0.94 |
| Off-Leash Dog Park | $2,000,000 | $7.49 | $0.62 |
| Redwood Park | $9,600,000 | $35.97 | $3.00 |
Public Informational Meeting Schedule
Attend a public meeting to discuss, learn more, and ask questions.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, February 13, 2023 | 9 a.m. | Virtual - https://meet.goto.com/259137805 |
| Monday, February 13, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. | Municipal Center – Regent Conference Room |
| Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | 2:30 p.m. | Virtual - https://meet.goto.com/467114821 |
| Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 3 p.m. | Virtual - https://meet.goto.com/259134669 |
| Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 6 p.m. | Municipal Center – Regent Conference Room |
| Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 6 p.m. | Municipal Center – Regent Conference Room |
Community Phone Survey
The City has contracted a professional public opinion firm, The Morris Leatherman Company (MLC), to perform a statistically accurate community survey to gauge resident interest in a potential parks bond referendum to enhance our parks and recreational facilities. MLC pollsters will be conducting phone surveys using technology that allows them to access Apple Valley residents via a traditional landline or a cell phone. Pollsters will complete 400 phone surveys to provide the Council with information regarding residents’ interest in a parks bond referendum.