Marthaler Park Improvement Project

Phase 1: Lower Marthaler improvements 

Improvements: Project on the north side of the park, including a new parking lot, a play area, stormwater treatment pond, and resurfaced volleyball and basketball courts. Project incorporated into the larger Wentworth Ave reconstruction project.

• Timeline: 2018-2019
• City Cost: Approximately $95,000
• Partners: Dakota County
• Status: Complete 

Phase 2: Expansion of River-to-River Greenway 

Improvements: The City partners with Dakota County to reconstruct the trails through Marthaler and Garlough parks, bringing them up to regional trail standards. The project fills a critical gap in the trail system.

• Timeline: 2021
• Cost: Approximately $615,000
• Partners: Dakota County-led project 
• Status: Complete 

Phase 3: Upper Marthaler improvements  

Improvements: Parking lot moved to the southeast, bicycle parking and repair station, new fishing pier, playground, picnic pavilion with serving counter and grill, bathroom facility and seating, and stormwater filtration pond.

• Timeline: 2023-2024
• Cost: Approximately $2.1M
• Partners: Dakota County and MnDNR
• Status: In-progress

Phase 3 Timeline 

Spring 2021: Planning for Upper Marthaler Begins The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), city staff, and consultants begin efforts to plan for the second phase of park renovations. The community provides feedback and helps to advance project plans.

Spring 2023: Upper Marthaler Construction Begins

Summer/Fall 2023: Construction Continues, Albeit with Some Delays 
The fishing pier, utilities, playground equipment, and wild seed mix were installed. Construction is delayed, primarily due to issues with weather and permitting.  

Fall/Winter 2023: Significant Progress Made 

With a warmer and drier November and December, the contractor is able to catch up on some delays and make significant progress. Work includes progress to the picnic shelter and bathroom building, and playground installation. 

Spring 2024: Construction Slated to Complete 

As the weather allows, construction will begin again in the spring with the goal of completion by June. Until then, the park is an active construction site and portions of the park remain closed. Spring construction will include: 

• Week of March 11: Work began again for the season, starting with interior plumbing and electrical at the restroom building. 
• Additional work completed so far this spring includes:
  • Grading around the shelter and bathroom building and pouring of finished concrete surface
  • Installation of serving wall and decorative block in picnic shelter
  • Installation of all site fixtures (picnic tables, benches, trash and recycling cans, grills, trailhead sign, bike racks, and bike fix-it station)
  • Compaction and grading of base layer for trail installation
• Additional work still remaining includes:
  1. Finish grading and planting of remaining site, including some modifications to the sledding area to address user safety
  2. Finish the exterior of the bathroom building
  3. Site electrical, light poles, and security camera installation
  4. Final lift of asphalt parking lot
  5. Installation of trails
  6. Landscaping

Summer 2024: Grand Opening Celebration Planned 

The City and partners will hold a grand opening celebration. Details will be announced following the completion of construction.

Do you have questions about this project?

Contact:

Eric Weiss, Director of Parks and Recreation, eweiss@wspmn.gov  

Dave Schletty, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, dschletty@wspmn.gov 

1. How was the park design determined? 

City staff, the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee, City Council and residents, worked with consultants to develop a vision and concept plan for the park.

The concept plan included sledding hill improvements, new elements at the top of the hill such as a small shelter and observation tower, as well as a picnic shelter that could double as a warming house. These elements were removed from the final plan due to budget constraints but may be added as future park improvements.

2. Is the park open to the public? 

The park is open to the public on a limited basis. Upper Marthaler is still an active construction zone and, as such, we urge caution while using the park. The parking lot, playground, and fishing pier will remain closed to the public until the project is completed in the spring/summer of 2024. We are working to reduce the impact of construction, however, as an active construction site, this may mean that construction workers and/or materials will impede the use and visual appeal of the park. We’re striving to keep the park open, but if we find people entering the construction zone, we may need to close larger portions of the park to ensure everyone’s safety. 

3. Why is there a stormwater basin at the base of the hill? 

With the relocation of the parking lot, state stormwater management regulations required a stormwater basin to be installed to better manage water.  The stormwater basin will help improve the water quality of Marthaler Lake and will help to remove litter, road salt, fertilizers, and nutrients that contribute to algae growth and reduce water quality. Its placement, at the base of both the hill and parking lot, was chosen to best accommodate the site's topography and natural water flow.

4. Will the stormwater basin next to the parking lot be filled with water? 

The new stormwater basin is intended only to capture and briefly retain stormwater following a large rain event. Following a storm, the water will slowly drain into Marthaler Lake. The new stormwater pond is not intended to hold water, although it may hold water for a brief period during and after rain events. The basin will be planted with a natural mix typically found in rain gardens and approved by MNDOT. When there’s a smaller snow depth, this taller mix of plants should provide a visual cue and deceleration for those sledding. When snow depth increases, city staff may plow snow from the parking lot into the stormwater basin, which could alleviate some of the drop-off. During the warm months, the plantings will provide beauty and natural habitat.

5. Will the pond be stocked with fish?

As was done in the past, the City hopes to partner with the DNR for the annual restocking of the lake.

6. What can be done to improve the park’s design? 

At this point, we’re asking for patience until the project is complete. In the spring, following the installation of the trails, more work will be done to soften the base of the hill. Landscaping will be added which should add buffers and natural deceleration. 

We welcome ideas from the community about short- and long-term improvements. Some initial ideas include: 

• Re-grading by adding a gentle incline at the base of the hill
• Adding additional landscaping and natural buffers, particularly around the picnic shelter, parking lot, utility boxes, and light poles
• Installing temporary safety buffers such as hale bales or pads
• Adding additional landscaping and natural buffers, particularly around the picnic shelter and parking lot, utility boxes and light poles
• Snow maintenance protocols that will help navigate and decelerate those who choose to sled

Following the official re-opening of the park, we’ll observe its use and gather community input to understand any potential issues. Significant adjustments and investments to the site would require budgeting and City Council approval. 

7. What is happening with the vegetation around the lake?

Unfortunately, Marthaler Park has a large amount of ash trees, which have been decimated by the emerald ash borer. The city has worked to treat as many ash trees as possible, but we still have lost or will lose a significant number of trees at Marthaler and throughout the community. Marthaler Lake is ringed by ash trees, buckthorn, and other dead, volunteer, and unwanted trees and bushes. Dead and dying trees present a significant safety hazard and must be removed. Our maintenance crew recently cleared out much of the unwanted vegetation on the east side of the lake. We’re working through a plan to replant the area in a way that is beneficial to the lake, visually appealing, and can withstand changes to our climate. 

8. Are any additional improvements planned for Marthaler Park? 

At this time, beyond landscaping and site grading, no additional improvements are planned. As we observe park use and hear from neighbors, we may be able to incorporate additional park improvements, particularly improvements to the hill, vegetation management, incorporation of art, and additional seating.