Coon Rapids Invites Residents to Shape the Next Decade of Parks and Recreation

Coon Rapids, MN

On Monday, March 9, from 5 to 7 p.m., residents of Coon Rapids will gather inside Civic Room B at the Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Drive NW, for something more consequential than a routine meeting. They will be invited to weigh in on the city’s draft Park and Recreation Master Plan, a long-range blueprint intended to guide public space investment, programming, and infrastructure for the next decade and beyond.

According to city announcements and project materials, the master plan update reflects earlier rounds of community input and is designed as a strategic roadmap for parks, trails, and recreation facilities over a 10 to 20 year horizon. It moves beyond day to day upkeep and toward coordinated capital planning, lifecycle management, and alignment with broader transportation and accessibility goals.

A System Built for the Long Term

Coon Rapids completed approximately 18 million dollars in park and trail improvements between 2014 and 2024 through a voter approved park bond. With that investment cycle largely executed, city leaders are now turning toward the next chapter: identifying what must be maintained, what should be reimagined, and how growth, demographics, and recreation trends will shape future demand.

The draft master plan highlights four core components:

• Park maintenance and replacement
• Recreation and events programming
• Trail enhancements
• Future updates for Al Flynn Park and Boulevard Plaza

Project documents further describe a structured asset management strategy, including inventorying park infrastructure, estimating lifecycle costs, and developing tools to schedule timely replacement of playground equipment, shelters, courts, and other amenities. The goal is to avoid reactive repairs and instead move toward predictable, transparent capital planning.

Connectivity and Active Transportation

Trail enhancements form another pillar of the draft plan. The city aims to strengthen pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, linking residential neighborhoods to schools, parks, and regional corridors. Materials reference alignment with the city’s 2025 Active Transportation Plan and improved connections to regional systems such as the trail network near Bunker Hills Regional Park.

In practice, that means safer crossings, clearer wayfinding, and filling gaps where trail segments currently end abruptly. It also reflects a broader shift in suburban planning, where trails are no longer treated as recreational extras but as essential infrastructure for mobility and public health.

Inclusivity and All Abilities Access

The draft plan emphasizes compliance with modern ADA standards and a commitment to “all abilities” design. This includes accessible playground surfaces, inclusive play structures, improved seating layouts, and restroom upgrades. The objective is straightforward: parks that serve toddlers and seniors, athletes and adaptive users, casual walkers and competitive cyclists.

Two High Priority Sites

While the master plan spans the entire city system, two locations are identified as special projects for this decade.

Al Flynn Park

Located at 1351 100th Lane NW, Al Flynn Park is a central hub for youth sports and community gatherings. Draft concepts explore:

• Upgrading existing athletic facilities
• Improving parking circulation and traffic flow during tournaments and high use events
• Increasing shaded and naturalized areas for spectators and families

The intent is to maintain the park’s role as an athletic anchor while addressing crowding and comfort concerns raised in community feedback.

Boulevard Plaza

Boulevard Plaza, a key civic gathering space, is being evaluated for expanded event infrastructure and seasonal flexibility. Concepts under review include:

• Enhanced electrical and staging capacity for concerts and farmers markets
• Design features that function in both summer and winter
• Expanded seating and permanent restroom facilities

City materials suggest the plaza’s redesign could strengthen its role as a year round destination, rather than a space activated only during limited programming windows.

What Residents Will See on March 9

The open house format will feature visual display boards outlining proposed concepts, cost considerations, and phasing options. Residents will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide written feedback, and rank project priorities. City staff have described public input as a vital step before final plan adoption, currently targeted for spring 2026.

For a community that has already invested heavily in its public spaces, the March 9 meeting represents a pivot point. It is not simply about replacing swings or repaving trails. It is about deciding what kind of city Coon Rapids intends to be in 2035 and 2040: connected or fragmented, reactive or strategic, accessible or uneven.

The decisions made in rooms like Civic Room B rarely draw headlines. Yet they shape the daily rhythms of families, athletes, seniors, and children long after the meeting adjourns.

Event Details

Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Coon Rapids Civic Center, Civic Room B
Address: 11155 Robinson Drive NW, Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Residents unable to attend in person can monitor the city’s official channels for updates as the draft advances toward final adoption later this year.

MinneapoliMedia