Minneapolis Park Board Commissioner (MPRB) Jon Olson presented the proposed final design for the Webber Park Master plan at the January 10 community meeting at Webber Park. In some ways, the plan had gone full circle. Concepts that were presented as innovative new ideas for an urban aquatic venue back in September were fully embedded into the final design. The new aquatic facility will be a natural edged “pool” with a sand beach and zero depth entry. This does not resemble a traditional swimming pool. It will be similar to, but smaller than, the swimming pond at Elm Creek Park Reserve. It will also differ in that it will utilize a natural filtration system in lieu of a chlorinated system; a first in the United States, but a system that is used successfully in Europe. Jon Olson said he has had initial discussions with Governor Dayton, regarding the natural filtration system. The MPRB will request special dispensation as a pilot project from the Minnesota State Department of Health.
There were two final designs selected by the community in September. Both included a pool, but one also included a swimming pond, with sand beach and a natural filtration system. At the December community meeting the Minneapolis Parks planning team presented both design concepts, but in the plan D design, the pool had been removed due to space and financial constraints. By the end of the December meeting, it appeared that concept D was the more popular design, but not without changes to ensure that a full swimming experience would be available to the community. Community members recommended changes to the design, including adding depth to enable programming for swim lessons, lap swimming and ensuring a full swimming experience. The revamped design, presented at the January meeting included lap lanes, with turning walls and a depth of at least five feet. At the January meeting, Jon Olson responded to concerns about programming the usage of the pool by saying that there would be more patrols in the park, lap swimming and lessons would be programmed into the usage of the swimming pond, there will be lifeguards on duty during open hours and a “code of conduct” will be enforced. The new facility will have a maximum capacity of up to 500 people, about double the old pool. Although the pond will be fenced in for safety, Commissioner Olson said open swimming will be free of charge, stating “Our community deserves a free place to swim.” When asked about winter skating, Commissioner Olson said the swimming pond would double as an ice rink, including a mite’s sized hockey rink. The new aquatic building would double as a warming house. The existing pond will remain, but would probably not be maintained as a skating rink in the winter.
The Webber Park Master Plan prioritizes the aquatic improvements in the first phase of upgrades. This includes the natural edge pool, a new aquatic building, additional parking at the northwest end of the park (up to 75 parking bays) and the demolition of the existing pool. MPRB staff members Cliff Swenson and Jennifer Ringold facilitated the discussion regarding prioritization of phase two improvements. They expect to have remaining funds of approximately $350,000 and said they will search all options for funding partners to continue the phase two improvements for the master plan. The three priorities noted at the meeting were fixing the lining in the existing pond, improving and adding lights to the soccer field, and adding picnic shelters. Additional improvements could include two additional basketball courts, improvements to Shingle Creek, additional lighting, a pavilion near the existing pool, an amphitheater and entrance features. When asked about the library, they said it will remain where it is until Hennepin County decides to move forward with the new Webber Park Library. They reiterated that they are willing to work with Hennepin County regarding the future library project.
The community will have one more opportunity to address the Webber Park Master Plan at a public hearing at the park headquarters on February 1, at 6:30 p.m., 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis. Jennifer Ringold encourages community members to attend the meeting to express their opinions regarding the plan. If the plan is approved by MPRB commissioners, construction is expected to begin this summer and the new swimming pond should be open for the 2013 swimming season. For info contact Jennifer Ringold at 612-230-6464 or jringold@minneapolis parks.org.