by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
About a dozen neighbors living near Creekview Preserve Park met in that park July 24 with city officials to discuss the park and possible improvements.
The session was part of a series of “community conversations” about Sartell parks between residents and city staff. As in previous meetings, residents had a chance to take a city survey about a particular park – a survey that included possible new or improved amenities, concerns about the park and safety factors.
All in all, the neighbors expressed satisfaction with the park, although some said they would like to see a pathway to its playground area. Creekwood Preserve Park, at 1601 Lavender Ave. in southwest Sartell, is a green space surrounded by many trees in a residential area.
City Planner Nate Keller coordinates the surveys and the meetings. He was present at the Creekview Preserve Park meeting, along with John Kothenbeutel, Sartell public-works director; Larry Then, parks supervisor; Kelly Mader and Matthew Gray, police officers; and Dennis Molitor, Rachel Lolmasteymaugh, Dave Lindbloom and Diane Schellinger, members of the Sartell Parks Commission.
Residents expressed satisfaction with their green-space park but noted a pathway to the playground area would be a welcome addition. Issues that impinge on park use, they said, include concerns about the safety of crosswalks on 15th Street S., at Pinecone Road and at 19th Avenue S., which are all roads near the park.
The city staff members will take the neighbors’ concerns under consideration. Community surveys and conversations will be scheduled for other Sartell parks in the future. Information about the surveys and conversations will be published in upcoming issues of the Sartell Newsleader, and notices will also be available on the Sartell website at www.sartellmn.com
Creekview Preserve Park in southwest Sartell is a green space up on a hill surrounded by many trees and homes.
