Briardale Park
Overview
| Address | 6171 Rice Creek Drive |
|---|---|
| Start Date | May 2028 |
| End Date | August 2028 |
| Current Status | Implementation Planning |
| Park Type | Neighborhood Park |
| Size | 2.8 Acres |
| Special Use | None |
Current Status
Briardale Park is a neighborhood park with a broad range of recreational amenities. It has on-street parking, a large playground from 1998, single tennis court, small shelter, drinking fountain, undersized basketball court and a large lawn space used for winter skating. There are known water issues at the SE trail connection and the majority of the amenities are at or beyond their useful life.
Recommendations and Estimate of Probable Costs
General recommendations include minor layout modifications for an improved experience with a focus on improved sustainability and accessibility. Replace all outdated amenities as needs dictate.
Recommendations include:
- Landscape enhancements
- Convert turf to low-grow and/or bee-friendly mixture with optional native pollinator areas in select locations
- Replace playground equipment meeting broader range of challenge levels and age groups (consider some inclusive features) with ADA compliant playground surfacing (engineered wood fiber) and rubber surfacing or tiles at primary access points and high-water areas
- Concrete playground border
- Replace basketball court and tennis court when necessary with adjacent seating and viewing areas
- New picnic shelter with 2-4 tables (permanent restrooms optional)
- Site furnishings with common characteristic (benches, tables, receptacles, bike racks, drinking fountain, etc.)
- Loop walk system and added walk connections for improved accessibility
- Wayfinding signs
- Security light
The estimate of probable costs for completing the recommendations shown range from approximately $340,000 to $442,000.
Concept Plans:
A total of $50 million in possible park system improvements were identified in the Park Plan. Based on resident input, Fridley City Council directed staff to work with a Park Plan Refinement Task Force advisory group to recommend $30 million in park projects that would be most impactful to the community.
Further, a resident Finance Task Force recommended funding the park system improvement plan by issuing General Obligation (GO) Tax Abatement Bonds for $20 million in bond proceeds, being repaid over no more than 15 years, with an additional $10 million to come from other City of Fridley funds.
Tax abatement is a tool that can be used by cities to abate all or a portion of property taxes levied by the City for a given purpose, such as public infrastructure improvements. All taxpayers, whether identified as an abated parcel or not, will continue to pay property taxes as they normally would. Minnesota Statute 469.1813 gives cities authority for tax abatement, and this has become an increasingly common means of funding park improvements, as they provide benefit to all residents. A requirement is holding a public hearing for the consideration of tax abatement, and that was held on May 23, 2022.The bonds will be repaid over 15 years with annual debt service payments being levied for and it is likely there will be an increase in property taxes beginning in 2023.
This plan will provide many opportunities for expanded recreation programming, enjoyment of nature and social gatherings. Enhancing and modernizing the city park system will position Fridley as a great place to live, work and play now and for many years to come.
