WAYZATA — At its March 25 meeting, the Wayzata City Council voted unanimously to authorize the solicitation of construction bids for the long-planned Klapprich Park improvements — a multi-year project aimed at revitalizing the city’s signature community park. But Mayor Andrew Mullin made clear he’s not ready to sign off on the full $2.6 million price tag.
The comprehensive plan includes ADA-compliant playgrounds and trails, new plaza areas, parking upgrades, and renovations to the warming house — with several items bid as alternates, including a hillside slide and stairway, a Minnetonka Avenue sidewalk, and a refreshed Bell Courts cabana.
Here is our coverage from July:
Project Scope and Structure
Parks and Environment Planner Nick Kieser, who’s led the effort, said the project is organized into two primary bid packages: one for all site work and another for the warming house. A trio of alternate bids will give the Council flexibility to scale up or down depending on the final numbers.
Base improvements include:
- Site grading, drainage, and irrigation
- An 18-stall parking lot with grass pavers
- A new natural-themed 4,800-square-foot playground
- A landscaped outdoor patio with fire pits and seating near the warming house
The warming house renovation — budgeted at just over $800,000 — would nearly double the usable interior space, add air conditioning, a gas fireplace, direct restroom access, and expanded equipment storage.
Council Discussion: Options and Oversight
Councilmember Molly MacDonald requested the hillside slide and stairs be split into separate alternates, noting their differing functions. “They are two different priorities,” she said, adding she’d prefer to preserve stair access even if the slide had to be scrapped.
The project team expects to receive 6 to 8 bids from contractors, with construction beginning as early as spring 2025. Major site and warming house work is scheduled for completion ahead of the winter skating season.
Mayor Mullin Voices Budget Concerns
Despite voting in favor of going to bid, Mayor Andrew Mullin voiced serious reservations about the financial scope.
“No matter what these bids come back, I’m not supportive of the full engagement of draining the parks fund to whatever the number is,” he said.
He also expressed skepticism about relying too heavily on city estimates, saying:
“We don’t have a very good track record, even using a construction manager, ever coming with a bid in anywhere near staff’s personal estimate — which is why we’re doing this, right?”
Mullin emphasized that the next stage — evaluating actual bids — would be the true decision point for determining what components can realistically move forward.
Next Steps
The Council voted unanimously to authorize the bid solicitation, incorporating Councilmember Molly MacDonald’s recommendation to separate the hillside stairs and slide into two distinct alternates. This adjustment gives the City greater flexibility to prioritize access and manage costs once bids are returned. With all members in agreement, the project now moves forward to the bidding phase, with final decisions on construction to follow based on actual pricing and available funding.
The bid documents will be published in early April, with bids due later in the month. Council is expected to review the bids at its May 6 meeting.
Construction would be phased:
- Spring: Site grading and irrigation to allow for grass establishment
- Summer: Playground, parking, and warming house work
- Fall: Completion of all priority items before winter
The vision for Klapprich Park remains ambitious — but final decisions will rest on actual bid results and the Council’s willingness to balance community enhancements with financial restraint.
