Exciting improvements are continuing at Community Par as the City works to create a more welcoming, accessible and family-friendly space for residents. The City appreciates residents’ patience during construction and looks forward to unveiling these exciting park improvements this summer. Please be aware of increased activity and equipment in the area. Portions of the site may be temporarily closed for safety. 

Community Park Renovation Timeline 

Summer 2026: Celebrate the grand opening of the renovated Community Park 

Early Summer 2026: Install new playground equipment, remove existing playground, install rubber surfacing, and add fencing. The City has been awarded $350,000 through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program to help fund a new accessible and inclusive playground at Community Park. City staff is currently working with the Minnesota DNR to finalize the grant agreement so construction of the new playground can move forward as soon as possible.

Late Spring 2026:  Resurface the Community Park parking lot. Dates for the parking lot replacement are still being finalized, but will be published when known, as it requires full closure of the parking lot. Crews will also plant replacement trees. 

April, 2026: Crews are continuing work at Community Park. They are framing the inside of the building and have started to install finishes. Next, they will pour concrete under the shelter and pathways. 

November, 2025 - March, 2026: Construction crews paused work during the colder winter months and will resume in the spring. 

November, 2025:  Underground plumbing work is being completed for the splashpad, followed by concrete pouring. 

October, 2025: Crews are installing the pre-fabricated building and picnic shelter. 

September, 2025: Demolition of the park building at Community Park was completed the week of September 8, 2025. Crews are doing site work to begin pouring concrete in preparation for the pre-fabricated building and picnic shelter to arrive for installation beginning in late October. 

New Park Features

The renovation plan reflects the City’s commitment to preserving beloved park features while enhancing accessibility and recreation options for all ages. The key elements of the project include:

• A New Restroom & Concession Building with a large attached picnic shelter – A modern, pre-fabricated facility will replace the aging and condemned park building. This building will include a small, heated kitchen and two all gender restrooms, as well as an attached 30’ x 44’ reservable picnic shelter.
• Upgraded Playground – A fully accessible playground will replace the current non-ADA-compliant structure, ensuring a fun and safe play environment for children of all abilities. 
• Splash Pad Addition – A brand-new 1,200 square foot splash pad will offer a way for families to cool off in the summer months. It will utilize low-flow technology and be on a push timer to minimize water usage.
• Preserving Key Features – The tennis courts, ball fields, community garden, and other popular spaces will remain intact while adding improved pathways and shaded seating areas.
• Greener & More Sustainable – The City is prioritizing tree preservation wherever possible with the goal of saving mature trees, replacing any removed trees, and incorporating eco-friendly materials in the renovation for an all-electric building.

Playground Design

How is this renovation being funded?

It is projected that the base cost of the project will be within the budget of $2.5 million to $3.5 million, with most expenses paid from the City’s park capital fund reserves.  The City plans to finance the project through a combination of cash-on-hand (approximately $2 million) and debt issuance (approximately $1.5 million). With the 2017 road project bond paid off in 2024 and the 2023 road project bond scheduled to be paid off early this spring, our projection is that any new debt issued for the park will have a net neutral impact on property taxes. The City of Falcon Heights is one of just a few cities our size in Minnesota that maintains a AAA bond rating—the highest available from the rating agency. 

Community Park Documents

• Pre-Fab Example
• Final Playground Design

History of Community Park Building Closure:

• Summer 2019: General maintenance concerns from the Fire Marshal, Public Works and City Council.

• Fall 2019:  Closed the park building for safety concerns.

• March, 11, 2020, City Council Meeting:  City Council reviewed and approved the Community Park Building - Structural Evaluation and Recommendations proposal. 

• June 2020: An inspection was performed to determine the integrity of the building and recommendations were made to the City by Bolton & Menk, Inc. to implement maintenance repairs. 

• Summer 2022: Community Park Building became unusable due to a collapsed sewer line.

• Spring 2023: The City officially closed on the purchase of Community Park. Falcon Heights has leased the 15.5 acre Community Park property from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities since the early 1970s. With the lease expiring in 2024, both parties felt it was in their mutual best interest for Falcon Heights to own the property.