Crawford Park Master Plan

An analysis of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats was conducted as a special meeting by the Village of Caledonia Parks and Recreation Committee.

• Amount of undeveloped land
• Centrally located
• Flat/open fields
• Affluence of residents
• Park safety (public safety building)
• Infrastructure

• Maintenance costs
• Lack of community interest/change
• Not understanding costs to develop park
• Lack of staff
• Access to parks - roads, etc.
• Grading of existing paths is poor/water management issues
• Few special needs amenities
• Current design of park is random/scattered
• Legislation regarding animals/alcohol
• Public safety building

• Expand pedestrian trails/paths
• Attract tournaments
• Population growth/use of parks increasing
• Create recreation opportunities for all ages
• Create winter amenities
• Contract with businesses to operate in park
• Fundraising and support from community businesses

• Lack of funding
• Lack of commitment
• Saturation of certain amenities
• Flooding/pooling in areas

The Village of Caledonia and MSA reached out to the community for public input via an online survey and multiple in-person engagement events.

The bar charts summarizes multiple choices adn the final is a summary of common written response answers.

The Village and MSA have worked together to provide some initial concept options in an effort to drive idea generation and solicit feedback for a final masterplan. Responses from the online community survey and public engagement sessions were collected and analyzed as part of the concept development process. Further review of the Village of Caledonia's Comprehensive Plan and Parks and Open Space Plan helped frame the goals and objectives of these concept plans.

The following concepts are not limited to as they are drawn. Ideas and elements of different concepts will be mixed and matched as we work through the process to the final design.

Concept 1 focuses on maintaining the existing baseball facilities and parking and providing improvements to the other existing amenities. These improvements would include updated shelters and playgrounds, new court surfacing with multi-sport options, and revised stormwater plans. Proposed elements would add additional sheltered and open gathering spaces throughout the park. More recreational open space and trails would be added to create a destination for activity seekers. The inclusion of native prairie and shaded canopy areas would bring back the feel of the natural landscape of this region. Another element, a sculpture walk, brings a fun and unique piece to this concept that can draw users from around the region. Additional parking supports the expansion of services.

Concept 2 focuses on the addition to and expansion of existing amenities as well as creating new gathering and play spaces. This concept again includes many recreation trails and open spaces for active users, but also multiple gathering locations with varying levels of activity. The placement of various rentable shelters allows for the perfect picnic spots for groups. A one of a kind natural play area would anchor the southern part of the park blend into the surrounding landscape.

Concept 3 put the most into addressing the varying states of the different amenities across the park. Starting with the existing parking lot and baseball fields; improve accessibility, enhance existing stormwater infrastructure, and emphasize safety of pedestrians. New concessions building location would improve the access, circulation, and visibility around the baseball fields while maintaining the same level of service. A centralized zone of play and event/gathering space would anchor the inner zone of the park. Open athletic fields would allow for the programming of new activities and be accessible to all ages. The natural areas of the southern part of the park are still figured into the plan, but with greater access. Finally, a park boulevard ties the north and south sections of the park together, but is managed with traffic calming measures.

MSA and the Village of Caledonia held a public presentation of the concept plans on August 22nd, 2022. The public turnout was substantial and the community weighed in with their thoughts and passions about the park. It was during this meeting that the village was able to narrow down different ideas and elements they wished to see in a final concept. MSA took these requests back to the design board to work on the final master plan concept.

After the feedback from the Village Parks Commission provided feedback on the Draft Masterplan, MSA finalized the plan and prepared final documents to bring to adoption.

Analysis of the existing park conditions and the proposed masterplan, conducted during the Summer of 2022, helped provide a general prioritization/phasing schedule for the Village.

Initial rough grading of site and stormwater improvements; site restoration with turf grass and native prairie areas; updated playground; court sports; and initial parking

Recommended in 0 - 3 years.

Mile trail loop with gathering nodes, benches, mowed trails, and shade shelters;  4-Season Pavilion with flex plaza space; remodel existing shelter with improved accessibility; and additional parking and stormwater management as needed.

Recommended in 3 - 6 years.

Skatepark; splashpad; southern open-air shelter with restrooms and associated path connections; expanded parking if needed; existing parking lot runoff and accessibility improvements; fine grading for multi-use sports field and winter skating rink; and park road East-West connection.

Recommended improvements 6 + years or as needed.

Sledding hill; tree plantings; sculptures; donor benches, and areas of screening/landscaping improvements as needed.

The prioritization schedule provided above is an example and can be modified to meet the needs of the Village of Caledonia’s ability to budget for necessary improvements.  The Village may add, remove, or prioritize some elements ahead of others due to potential funding sources becoming available or unforeseen community needs becoming apparent in the future. 

Overall, the project faces many years of development and careful budgeting to maximize the potential of Crawford Park. No project worth doing is easy and all projects come with their challenges, but these steps to plan now and openly collaborate with residents has proved invaluable to the success of this Master Plan Process. Through diligent and consistent efforts by current and future committee members Crawford Park can become the centerpiece for the Village of Caledonia.