Rendering of the Paul Klappirch Statue, courtesy City of Wayzata.
The Wayzata City Council approved a donation for a new statue honoring Paul Klapprich during its May 5 meeting, adopting the item as part of the consent agenda.
The statue is proposed for Klapprich Park and would serve as a tribute to Klapprich’s longtime contributions to youth hockey and the park that bears his family name.
According to the city’s agenda report, the donation is being made by Tom Shaver, Kurt Klapprich and Ed Turnquist. The proposed artwork is a life-size, bronze-coated statue of Paul Klapprich, with a stainless-steel interior. The estimated value of the donated statue is between $75,000 and $100,000.
The statue is expected to be placed northeast of the existing warming house and southwest of the new playground area. Final placement will be determined after utility locates are completed to avoid conflicts with existing infrastructure.
The donation group plans to commission artist Bret Overturf for the sculpture. City staff indicated the anticipated timeline for completion is about one year.
Under the proposal, the donation group will fund and donate the statue, while the city will pay for the concrete base and evaluate possible uplighting. Those city costs would come from the Public Art Fund.
The proposal was previously reviewed by the city’s newly established Public Art Committee, which discussed the item at its January, February and March meetings. The committee unanimously recommended approval.
Before installation, city staff will work with the donation group on a formal agreement addressing maintenance, cost allocation, potential relocation and other details. That agreement will return to the council for review and approval.
The Klapprich Park Opening Celebration will take place Saturday, January 10, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the park’s view facility at 340 Park Street East. The event marks the completion of recent park improvements and welcomes the community back to one of Wayzata’s most cherished year-round gathering places.
The afternoon is designed to be free and family-friendly, with open skating, hot chocolate, snacks, and music creating a classic Minnesota winter scene. Skaters of all ages are invited to take to the ice, while spectators can enjoy the lively atmosphere from the surrounding park space.
City officials say the project reflects Wayzata’s continued investment in parks that serve multiple generations, offering both recreation and a shared sense of place. Klapprich Park has long been a cornerstone of neighborhood life—hosting everything from youth sports to quiet winter afternoons—and its reopening is intended as a celebration of that tradition.
Residents with questions about the event may contact the city at 952-404-5313.
The event is open to the public, and no registration is required.
The Wayzata City Council approved two major change orders for the Klapprich Park improvement project on August 19, 2025—one required by state fire code and another responding to neighborhood concerns over tree removal, hillside slides, and park access.
The first change order addressed the warming house renovation. During building permit review, staff determined that a fire suppression system is required for any public building over 2,000 square feet, a standard adopted in 2005. With the renovated warming house expanding to 2,226 square feet, sprinklers became mandatory.
The fire protection work includes a new 4-inch water service line from Park Street and a dry-pipe sprinkler system inside the building. Odesa II will handle the utility connection, while Ebert Companies will complete the interior fire system. The total cost is $132,698.08, funded from the project’s contingency budget.
“This is not optional,” said Council Member Jeff Parkhill, while voicing frustration with consultants who had missed the code requirement. Council members directed staff to explore whether the city could recover costs through the architects’ errors-and-omissions insurance.
The second change order focused on the north hillside of the park, where neighbors expressed concern after trees were cleared to make way for a large slide and stairway. Residents cited loss of screening, increased noise, and traffic pressures.
To address these issues, the council approved Option Two, which adds significant new landscaping, including spaded trees up to 20 feet tall, arborvitae, deciduous trees, and saplings, supported by a small retaining wall. The landscaping change order totals $34,730, with spaded trees estimated at $10,080.
Public testimony reflected a divided but engaged community.
Tory Schalkle suggested a middle ground to reduce conflict.
Fred Geyen urged more compromise between neighbors and the city.
Bob Fisher, whose home faces the hillside, described the shock of losing mature tree cover and headlights now shining into his property.
Jenny Sargent, a mother of four, supported the playground improvements and urged balance: “This park will be used for years to come for kids that have not been born yet.”
Gareth Goodall framed the project in civic terms: “There’s a famous proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. I would ask that we keep that in mind when we make this decision.”
After lengthy deliberation, the council voted unanimously to approve the fire suppression change order, and 3–1 to approve the landscaping compromise with two modifications: removing the small roof structure planned at the top of the slide to reduce visibility from Park Street, and retaining the stairway connection for neighborhood access.
Mayor Andrew Mullin emphasized the importance of civil dialogue, noting that while public input often divides, “embracing competing perspectives makes our community stronger.”
The two approvals will consume nearly all of the project’s $170,549 contingency, leaving about $37,850 for any future unforeseen costs.
The $2.68 million Klapprich Park improvement plan has become defined by a single feature: a 40-foot embankment slide celebrated by many families but opposed by neighbors who say it doesn’t fit the park. City Council will revisit the project Tuesday, August 19, to consider added landscaping and screening.
A rendering shows the slide placement adjacent to Park Street. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.
City leaders note that the hillside slide was part of the Klapprich Park design approved in early 2023, alongside other renovations. But for many neighbors, the scale and exact hillside placement only became clear once construction began this summer. That disconnect has fueled frustration, with opponents saying they should have been given another chance to weigh in before the project advanced.
The plan—already underway—includes the hillside slide manufactured by Berliner Seilfabrik. With a free-fall height of more than 16 feet, it is the largest play element in the renovation. Community engagement showed strong interest in adding a slide at Klapprich, and the city responded with a dramatic embankment design. Supporters see it as a bold centerpiece, though some neighbors argue the final version goes far beyond what residents had in mind.
Neighbors along Park Street have objected to the slide’s size, appearance, and placement, as well as the loss of mature trees that once screened their homes. Some have even nicknamed the structure “the green weenie,” underscoring their unease.
Neighbor Fred Geyen, who has lived by Klapprich Park for more than two decades, said many residents were caught off guard when heavy equipment arrived to remove trees on the west side of the park. “At the meeting last fall, the slide was shown further east with stairs over there. Then all of a sudden trucks showed up on the west side, cutting trees, and people nearby didn’t even know what was going on,” he said. Geyen also questioned the city’s explanation that many of the pines were diseased, saying that if that were the case, they could have been treated earlier.
Beyond the tree loss, Geyen said neighbors are most concerned about the design of the new slide, described as a 40-foot green tube cut into the hillside. “You look at it and think, why do you need to clear out that many trees just to put in a giant tube slide? It changes the whole character of that corner of the park,” he said, adding that while residents support park improvements, they want the area re-forested and equipment scaled more appropriately to the surroundings.
Too Big?
Several nearby residents have voiced their opposition to the improvment. “The scale and scope of the slide seem to be quite large for a local park that is set in the midst of a small neighborhood… the new 40 foot slide, with its clear cutting of the hill to make room for it and green plastic color, appears to be anything but naturally fitting into the landscape. This creates a huge eyesore for the neighborhood.” stated Joe & Elissa Madson in an email to the City.
“I cannot believe that this got approved and I’m asking you to reconsider. A slide like that invites all sorts of problems and liabilities… I can’t imagine that [preteens] are going to use that as a slide, but rather something they can urinate in or send other objects down. You are just asking for trouble. Not only that, the fluorescent green is a complete eyesore on the beautiful park. Please reconsider adding this offensive slide to the park. Wayzata is better than this.” states Tasha Fraser.
Strong Support
Supporters, however, see the slide as a signature feature. “As a Wayzata resident, I’m writing to express my strong support for the Klapprich improvements under way. I believe it represents an exciting and necessary investment in our city’s future—a place that will foster community, provide safe and accessible green space, and enrich the quality of life for individuals and families like mine.” — Margaret Green.
“A quick note to express my support for the long overdue reinvestment in Klapprich. My kids, now 9yrs old and 14yrs old, spend a lot of time at parks. We ride bikes to Minnetonka, etc, but are excited for a new place to play near our house. Living in Holdridge neighborhood, all the kids are very excited for it to be done.” — Jeff Bull
Trees Lost, Screening in Question
Trees removed from the hill at Klapprich Park.
Excavation for the slide and retaining wall has already claimed nearly twenty mature trees on the Park Street edge of Klapprich. City staff have said many of the removed trees were diseased or in decline, but neighbors argue that explanation feels like a convenient excuse for the scale of clearing.
To soften the impact, city staff have proposed a change order that includes four large spaded evergreens, ten deciduous saplings, five arborvitae, and a modular retaining wall. The $34,730 package would come from project contingency funds.
View Along Sidewalk on Park Street after the first year.
Residents voiced concerns that spaded trees take years to establish and that young plantings cannot recreate the canopy that shielded homes from the ballfields and playground.
5–1 Vote Keeps Slide in Place, With Call for More Options
In late July, the Parks and Trails Board voted 5–1 to recommend one of three options: keeping the slide in its current location, accelerating tree replacement with more mature plantings, and monitoring potential parking issues on Park Street before taking further action.
The lone dissenting vote came from Board Chair Tory Schalkle. He emphasized that his objection was not to the slide itself, but to the board forwarding only one option to the City Council. “I agreed with the conclusion the board came to and the logic they had … it was addressing the overall purpose for the park, which was all residents. Keep it still a large green and a free space to run and play while also adding amenities the public requested,” Schalkle said.
Schalkle, speaking in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the full board, said the group weighed several considerations in recommending the slide’s current placement. Among the factors he listed were:
City safety requirements
ADA (accessibility) compliance
Cost to taxpayers
Aesthetic considerations
Results of public surveys requesting a slide
Environmental impact
Parking concerns
Schalkle noted he was the lone dissenting vote, explaining that while he agreed with much of the reasoning, he felt the City Council should have been given more alternatives to consider.
The Slide Is Paid For, but Its Future Isn’t Set in Stone
Although the slide has already been purchased, the City Council retains full authority over how — or even whether — it is installed. Council also controls the scope of tree replacement and the type of screening to be added. Residents urging changes hope the city will consider more mature plantings, berming, or other buffers to preserve the neighborhood’s character.
Alternatives considered in earlier discussions included moving the slide further east, shortening or removing the stairway to Park Street, or replacing the feature with another play element. City staff and the Parks and Trails Board ultimately recommended against those changes, noting that the slide has already been fabricated at a cost of about $40,000 and that shifting its location would disrupt other planned play areas.
As written, Tuesday’s decision does not reopen the question of placement; Council will be asked only to approve additional landscaping and a retaining wall. Still, several neighbors have urged elected leaders to revisit the larger issue, leaving open the possibility that council members could signal a different direction.
When Neighbors’ Voices Carry — and When They Don’t
The debate has highlighted a contrast in how the city weighs community input. On short-term rental regulations, leaders have taken a deliberate approach, emphasizing the concerns of residents living closest to rental properties. In the case of Klapprich, opponents argue that the same deference has not been shown.
Marlene Geyen stated in an email to council, “…A significant portion of the meeting focused on [Short Term Rentals], with the Council stressing safety, minimal disruption, and neighborhood integrity. Those standards did not appear to be applied to the park, suggesting a troubling double standard.”
A Flurry of Letters Before the Vote
In the days leading up to the meeting, a flurry of comments arrived at City Hall. Supporters described the slide as a unique addition that would set Klapprich Park apart. It appears that some of that support was galvanized after Parks and Trails Board members encouraged friends and neighbors to share their views with the city.
Opponents countered that this wave of citywide support was drowning out the voices of those who live closest to the park and will feel the slide’s presence most directly.
Tuesday Night
The Klapprich debate has grown into more than a question of playground equipment. For supporters, the slide represents long-requested amenities and an investment in making Wayzata’s parks more vibrant for children and families. For neighbors, it has become a symbol of scale, process, and the loss of green buffers that defined the park for decades.
With the slide already purchased but placement, landscaping, and screening still in City Council’s hands, the outcome is not yet fully settled. What is clear is that Klapprich has become a case study in how Wayzata balances citywide demand for amenities with the concerns of those who live closest to the changes.
Stay tuned to Wayzata.com, your source for local news and community reporting, as we continue to follow the conversation around Klapprich Park and other issues shaping Wayzata.
Editor’s note: A comment previously attributed to Gretchen Piper was incorrect and has been removed. Other details have been clarified to keep the record accurate.
WAYZATA – After 40 years of service with the City of Wayzata, Kurt Klapprich has retired from his role in public works but will continue as a volunteer firefighter. Listen to a full-length audio interview with Kurt here:
Klapprich began working for the city on March 18, 1985. A lifelong Wayzata resident and third-generation public servant, he brought to the role not just skill, but heart.
“I grew up here in Wayzata, so it was something I cared about—my community,” he said. “And it seemed like a good job.”
Staying Power and Service
Asked if he ever imagined staying with the city for four decades, Klapprich smiled.
“I really did not,” he said. “I thought I was just going to work there for a while and then move on to something else. But it just fulfilled everything that I like. I like my town, and I love working and helping people.”
Kurt Klapprich at a fire on Gleahaven Road in 2011.
Over the years, he’s watched Wayzata change dramatically.
“When I started working there, the public works garage was down where the parking ramp is on Mill Street,” he said. “It had a cement bay for the mechanic, but the rest of it was a dirt floor. And where McCormick’s is now—it was a gravel parking lot. Down on the other end of Lake Street, further west, there was a lumberyard and bulk oil tanks.”
He’s seen the old 1960s-style Bay Center give way to five-story buildings. “Pretty abrupt change,” he said.
The Rink, the Beach, the Trash Cans
Though major projects like Lake Street and the lake walk were contracted out, Klapprich and his crew had a hand in nearly everything.
“We all had parts and pieces where we were coordinating and had a hand in making it happen,” he said. “Just all the stuff that’s gone on, mostly in the downtown.”
He also did the daily work most residents rarely think about—but always rely on.
“As a parks department, we service about 80 trash cans around town. We don’t have any big parks like some of the surrounding cities, but we’ve got tennis courts that we try to keep clean, the bocce ball courts, and we inspect playgrounds, the boardwalks, and the docks so people can use them safely.”
And in the summertime? “We rake the beach seven days a week for weeds. Clean public bathrooms. It’s not all just mowing grass and plowing snow.”
The Skating Rink Standard
Kurt Klapprich at the Klapprich Warming House.
Among all the tasks, Klapprich may be best known for setting the standard at Wayzata’s beloved outdoor skating rink.
“We always had the skating rink, and we didn’t do anything with it on weekends,” he recalled. “So it took us until about Wednesday to get good ice back down there.”
It was then-Mayor Barry Petit who advocated for seven-day-a-week maintenance—something Kurt supported wholeheartedly.
“It was just so worth it to do that,” he said. “It’s like anything else—you maintain it, and it doesn’t get too far out of whack. It’s so well-renowned. You go out there and see sweatshirts from Mound, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove… People know it’s kept up to a good standard, and they come in and love to skate there.”
A Fire Department Tradition
Klapprich will continue to serve the Wayzata Fire Department after already logging 43 years.
“It’s probably just a little bit more of helping people,” he said. “It’s a learned behavior. I don’t know how long my grandfather was on, but my dad was on for 49 years. My older brother has been on for 47. And I’ve been on for 43.”
The Wayzata Fire Department responded to a fire in Minnetrista.
“It’s very rewarding to go and help people—sometimes at their worst moment. If nothing else, offer a hug.”
The Hardest Day
When asked about the most difficult moment in his career, he didn’t hesitate.
“When my brother passed away,” he said quietly. “I worked with him for—yup—20-some years. It was one of those things—when I left the funeral and went back to work… I knew that all his coworkers were hurting too. That was probably the most challenging.”
“Lots of people would ask you questions, say they were sorry for your loss and whatnot. But to go and work with those same folks you’d been working with—minus a loved one—was not much fun.”
His brother Cookie passed away from undetected heart disease in his sleep. “Fortunately, he didn’t suffer,” Kurt said. “I don’t think he knew anything was going on. He was a proactive guy. If something was wrong, I think he would’ve gone to the doctor.”
Advice for the Next Generation
What would he tell someone just starting in public service or city maintenance?
“It’s pretty much all about relationships,” he said. “If you’re going to be out there, it’s better to go the extra mile—do more rather than less. It’s far more rewarding to build allies than enemies. Even if it’s maybe not completely your job—if you can help out in some way, people really do appreciate it.”
“People—whether we know it or not—are always watching what’s going on out there.”
What’s Next
Klapprich plans to take some well-earned time off even as he continues to serve on the Fire Department.
“I’m gonna take a little bit of time to not have to be anywhere for a while,” he said. “Then I’ll probably volunteer at Chamber events. And who knows—I might go back and be the rink guy down at the skating rink this winter.”
He and his wife, Steph, plan to spend more time at their family cabin and hope to travel to Arizona this fall to visit her dad. “Maybe we’ll go on a trip over the winter sometime,” he added.
Just this week, Kurt was named Grand Marshal of the James J. Hill Days Parade.
“The Chamber ladies asked me to stop by the Depot—they said it would just be short,” he said. “And they kind of surprised me. They read a poem to me, and in the poem was asking me to be the Grand Marshal.”
“I’m honored. So many people do so many good things for our community. They could’ve picked any number of people. I’m honored they chose me.”
Listen to the Full Interview
To hear Kurt’s full story—in his own words—Wayzata.com invites you to listen to the exclusive audio interview included with this post. It’s a heartfelt conversation about legacy, change, service, and love for a town he helped care for with humility and quiet pride.
Listen in—and the next time you walk past Klapprich Park, or lace up your skates at the rink—think of the man who spent 40 years making Wayzata feel like home.
WAYZATA — In a 4-1 vote Tuesday night, the Wayzata City Council approved a sweeping renovation of Klapprich Park, greenlighting nearly $2 million in improvements that will touch every corner of one of the city’s most beloved public spaces.
The plan includes new playground equipment, updated ADA-accessible sidewalks and hillside stairs, renovation of the warming house, and infrastructure upgrades throughout the park. Construction will begin this year, with substantial completion expected by late fall. The warming house is targeted to reopen by the 2025 skating season.
Council Member Alex Plechash voiced strong support during deliberations, calling Klapprich “maybe the crown jewel of Parks and Trails in Wayzata.”
“We deserve this,” Plechash added. “And I was really happy to see that we could actually bring in all of the alternatives because we can afford it.”
Mayor Andrew Mullin cast the lone dissenting vote, citing fiscal caution and the strain the project places on the city’s Parks and Trails Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
“I’m for parks,” Mullin said. “But I would not support this project unless there was a significant reduction in scope. We don’t have a sustainable funding source for future park needs, and we’ve already raised taxes significantly. In an uncertain economy, I think fiscal discipline is merited.”
Despite his concerns, the project passed with strong support from the rest of the council.
The approved contracts include:
$730,971 to ODESA II for site improvements, including hillside stairs, Minnetonka Avenue sidewalk, and Bell Courts cabana enhancements.
$516,700 to Ebert Companies for warming house renovations.
$457,820 to Midwest Playscapes for playground equipment, including a hillside slide and rubberized safety surfacing.
The final budget for the project is $1.97 million—below the $2.687 million previously allocated in the Parks CIP. Staff also confirmed that roughly $140,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds will be used for sidewalk and parking lot costs.
According to staff reports, all approved bids came in below original estimates. Council members credited the Parks and Trails Board for shaping a thoughtful and community-centered design.
“This is something special,” said Council Member Jeff Parkhill, reflecting on scenes of winter hockey games at Klapprich. “It’s nostalgic, it’s Minnesotan, and it’s time to enhance it for the next generation.”
Klapprich Park has its origins in the 1940s, when local volunteers began transforming a low-lying marshy area along Wayzata Boulevard into a usable community space. Through grassroots efforts, the site evolved into a gathering place for youth recreation, including one of the city’s earliest outdoor hockey rinks.
The park was later named in honor of Ed Klapprich, a community leader who played a key role in developing youth sports and helped establish hockey as a school-sponsored program in Wayzata. Over the decades, the site has grown into a central piece of the city’s parks system, blending neighborhood tradition with seasonal activity.
The City of Wayzata formally presented its request to the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee this week, seeking nearly $15 million in state bonding support to complete the final phase of its transformative Panoway project along Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline.
Council Member Ken Sorensen, State Representative Patty Acomb, and City Manager Jeffrey Dahl. Submitted photo.
Council Member Ken Sorensen, City Manager Jeffrey Dahl, and Wayzata’s State Representative Patty Acomb testified before the Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee at the State Capitol, advocating for the city’s $15 million bonding request to fund future park improvements and the design of a new public safety facility.
Wide Range of Lakefront Improvements
House File 1064, authored by Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL–Minnetonka), outlines the appropriation of $14,915,000 in bond proceeds to fund a wide range of lakefront improvements. These include the construction of a new eco park, the restoration and preservation of the historic Section Foreman House and Wayzata Depot, shoreline stabilization, upgrades to Wayzata Beach and Klapprich Park, and the design of a future public safety facility.
Wayzata City Manager Jeffrey Dahl testified at the hearing and emphasized the regional impact of the project, noting that much of the foot traffic and recreational use in Wayzata’s parks and trails comes from visitors outside city limits.
Regional Need According to City
“We were asking the state for funds because a significant majority of the folks that are using our parks and community spaces are from outside the city,” said Dahl in an interview via telephone the day after. “We think it really meets the test of being a regional need.”
The Panoway on Wayzata Bay—a multi-phase initiative to reclaim and enhance the city’s historic lakefront—has already transformed how residents and visitors interact with the shoreline. The initial phases of the project included the reimagining of Lake Street into a pedestrian-friendly promenade, improved parkland access, and ecological restoration efforts. This final phase, officials say, is essential for completing the city’s long-term vision for public access, sustainability, and safety.
“The city summarized its bonding request of $15 million to enhance the lakefront—essentially the remaining phases of the Panoway and Wayzata Bay park improvements,” Dahl added. “That includes funding for parking, improvements at Klapprich Park and Shaver Park, which are all projects within our capital improvement plan.”
James J. Hill vs Wayzata
The city’s efforts to restore public access to its shoreline are rooted in a century-old conflict. In the 1890s, railroad magnate James J. Hill rerouted his Great Northern Railway tracks along Wayzata’s lakefront, severing the town’s connection to the water and igniting a decades-long battle over public access.
Image courtesy Wayzata Historical Society.
At one point, Hill moved the town’s depot a mile east, famously saying, “Let them walk a mile for the next twenty years.” Generations later, the completion of the Panoway—including the recently finished lakewalk—has reversed that legacy. Wayzata’s lakefront is now a welcoming public space once again, where residents and visitors can stroll the shoreline, connect with the water, and reflect on how far the town has come.
Public Safety Building Future Needs
While the future public safety facility is still years away, the city is seeking support for design costs now, hoping to remain proactive as infrastructure demands evolve.
If approved by the Legislature, the funds would be granted through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) and used to complete the city’s downtown lakefront restoration effort.
The bonding request builds upon a prior allocation received during the 2020 Special Session, further cementing the Panoway project as one of the state’s most significant small-town lakefront redevelopments.
A decision on whether the project will be included in this year’s bonding bill is expected later this session.
Future Klapprich Park warming house design. City of Wayzata.
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 MayorAndrew Mullinmade 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.
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.
Another year has come and gone, and as tradition holds, the City of Wayzata has taken stock of its accomplishments in its 2024 Annual Report. Presented to the City Council in early February, the report showcases the strides made across departments and underscores the city’s ongoing commitment to preserving Wayzata’s character while fostering progress.
A Dream Realized: The Panoway Lakewalk
Few projects in Wayzata’s history have been as anticipated as the PanowayLakewalk, a vision over a century in the making. Officially opened on July 13, the 1,200-foot-long Lakewalk has transformed the community’s connection to Lake Minnetonka. Funded through a combination of state bonds, private donations, and city redevelopment funds—including tax-increment financing (TIF)—the Lakewalk came to life without increasing property taxes for residents.
“We’re incredibly proud of this project,” said City Manager Jeffrey Dahl.
Complementing the Lakewalk, the city also completed new community docks, offering improved access to the lake while implementing a pay system to help offset maintenance costs.
Strengthening Community Engagement
For the first time, Wayzata hosted a dedicated State of the City Address, separate from the Chamber of Commerce event. The gathering, held at City Hall, provided residents with an opportunity to hear directly from Mayor Johanna Mouton and City Manager Dahl about the city’s progress and priorities. A packed house signaled strong public interest in maintaining an open dialogue between city leadership and the community.
Another highlight from 2024 was the city’s continued push to diversify revenue sources and reduce reliance on property taxes. Through careful financial planning, municipal operations, including the Wayzata Bar & Grill and Wine & Spirits, generated over $500,000 in net revenue—funds that help offset city service costs.
Investing in Parks, Public Safety, and Infrastructure
Wayzata’s commitment to maintaining high-quality public amenities was evident throughout the year. The Bell Courts were reconstructed, introducing four pickleball courts to meet growing demand, with much of the funding secured through grants. Additionally, the city completed the installation of solar panels on municipal buildings, a long-term investment expected to save Wayzata approximately $853,000 over the next 25 years.
Public safety also saw important advancements. The Wayzata Police Department earned the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Excellence in Innovation Award, recognizing the contributions of Sergeant Jason Gehrman and his K-9 partner, Loki, in search-and-rescue efforts.
Sergeant Jason Gehrman and Loki. Submitted photo.
Meanwhile, the fire department successfully onboarded three new firefighters, increasing the department’s strength to 29 volunteers—an impressive feat at a time when many communities struggle to recruit for similar roles.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As city officials look toward the new year, Wayzata remains focused on resident engagement, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility. Plans are underway to explore enhancements to Klapprich Park, a beloved recreational space, and to expand community outreach initiatives.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful for the council’s leadership and providing the support we need. I hope the community appreciates that. I know they do and we’re just grateful to be in this community. 2025 is a new year, new council, new opportunities, new challenges,” stated City Manager Jeff Dahl.
One of the major issues addressed at the January 7, 2025, Wayzata City Council meeting was the approval of the city’s legislative priorities, which centered on infrastructure improvements, local tax proposals, and considerations for future public safety needs. While most priorities advanced with ease, some council members raised questions about the inclusion of design costs for a potential new public safety facility in the city’s bonding request.
The council approved a $15 million bonding request covering Panoway’s next phase, improvements to Klapprich Park, Wayzata Beach, and Shaver Park, as well as $2 million for public safety facility design. However, the inclusion of the latter sparked concerns about readiness.
Council Member Jeff Parkhill remarked, “The public safety facility is not something the council has discussed. I think we should address it before we begin lobbying for it. Right now, I don’t know much about it—just that it’s apparently in the capital plan for 10 years down the road or so. It’s important for us to dig into these capital expenditures before we lobby for them.”
Council Member Alex Plechash added, “I think that’s a reasonable point to note. It probably doesn’t change the fact that we’d still like to request $15 million from the state and then decide how to allocate it. That said, we’re unlikely to get the full $15 million—probably something less, if anything at all. However, he makes a valid point: we haven’t discussed this in depth. We should address it before listing it as a legislative priority for our lobbyists.”
City Manager Jeff Dahl explained the request, “…that’s exactly what we started to discuss in December—can it hurt to leave it on the list? We acknowledged that we don’t yet know what the needs assessment will reveal, so it might be premature. However, removing it now would mean reducing the bonding request by two million dollars, as every part of the request must be allocated to a specific expense. While we could revisit this next year, leaving it on for now provides flexibility, even though we still need significant engagement with the council and the community to refine the details.”
Despite these reservations, the council opted to keep the item in the bonding request to maintain flexibility.
Local Sales Tax and Community Engagement
The council also supported lifting the state’s moratorium on local sales taxes, advocating for a food and beverage tax to offset operational and capital costs. The proposed tax would primarily target visitors, with minimal impact on residents.
Engagement with the local business community remains a priority. Council members discussed the importance of explaining the tax’s purpose and benefits to restaurant owners and other stakeholders before advancing the proposal, indicating that City staff should meet with all restaurant owners willing to meet so as to have the support of the community in place.
Advocating for Local Control of Fees and Fines
A final priority emphasized the city’s desire for greater local control over fines and fees for nuisance issues, such as noise and e-bike violations. This measure would address challenges caused by Wayzata’s influx of visitors.
Next Steps
The council unanimously approved the draft priorities, directing staff and lobbyists to advocate during the upcoming legislative session.
“This list ensures that Wayzata’s long-term needs remain front and center as we engage with state lawmakers,” MayorAndrew Mullin concluded.
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