Park & Recreation Advisory Board

Park and Recreation Advisory Board 2020

Meetings

Third Thursday of each month
6:30 p.m.

City Hall
Washington North Conference Room
801 Washington St.
Northfield, MN 55057

Related information

PRAB Bylaws

Ice Arena

Parks and recreation

Swimming pool

Agendas and minutes

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The City meeting archives contain agendas, minutes, handouts and additional information.

  1. City Meeting Portal Opens in new window
    The City meeting portal allows you to view live streamed meetings and agendas with clickable links.

Members

Name Title Term expiration
Ben Playter Vice Chair December 31, 2023
Peder Jothen Member December 31, 2022
Neil Lutsky Member December 31, 2022
Megan Kraby Member December 31, 2021
Nathan Knutson Member December 31, 2022
  Member  
Daniel Hollerung Chair December 31, 2021
  Member (non-voting)  
Caleb Meeker        Youth Representative 2020-2021 school year
Sammy Noreen Youth Representative (non-voting) 2020-2021 school year

Staff liaisons

Name Title Phone number
Tim Behrendt Streets & Parks Manager 507-645-3027
Wanda Playter Administrative Assistant 507-645-3045

Overview

The City of Northfield Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) directly advises staff and officials regarding the public parks system and all public recreational facilities in the City of Northfield. PRAB assists with long-range planning for land acquisition for parks, natural areas and trails, as well as detailed plans for park development and use and recreational facilities.

Member requirements

The board consists of seven members appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Members serve staggered three-year terms. Members do not receive monetary compensation.

Applying

  1. Apply for a board, commission, or task force

    Applications are also available at:

    City Hall
    801 Washington Street
    Northfield, MN 55057

    Northfield Public Library
    210 Washington Street
    Northfield, MN 55057

  1. 2020 accomplishments
  2. 2019 accomplishments

In 2020, we faced unprecedented opposition in our community due to the response of a global pandemic. Many recreation activities were affected and due to closures of programing we observed numerous associations and community members suffer extensive cancellations throughout the year.

Accomplishments

  • Riverside/Lions Park: completed the street project of the turnaround and opened the canoe/kayak takeout; in 2021 we will see the pickle ball courts reconstructed
  • River corridor: delivered an action plan which our city council reviewed and adopted after being presented by the Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee, which included Ames Park, Babcock Park, Riverside/Lion Park, and Sechler Park
  • Odd Fellows Park: slated to have ADA-complaint restrooms constructed in 2021 as part of the assessed needs of our ongoing park infrastructure improvements
  • Way Park: additional concepts and planning for a Northfield Hospital memorial have been in the works and will likely be realized in 2021
  • Maintenance: collaboration between the department and community associations support marquee parks like Babcock Park, Sechler Park, and Spring Creek which offer expansive sporting venues and future development opportunities