A Park for All Seasons

Way Park is the heart of a vibrant neighborhood on the west side of Northfield. It features: a musical playground; playground equipment and swings; pre-school equipment; a basketball court; picnic and grilling areas; a walking path; a warming hut and ice rink (seasonal); a small baseball/kickball diamond (seasonal); a large open field perfect for pick up soccer games and kite flying; and lovely rain gardens. Our organization, The Friends of Way Park hosts several events every year including Yoga in the Park, Pumpkin Fest, and a spring picnic event.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Bach, Benefit, (Dessert) Bonanza

Close to 150 Northfielders enjoyed a wonderful Benefit Concert for Way Park Saturday evening, April 2. Andrea Een (violin and viola), Dana Maeda (oboe), and Theo Wee (piano and organ) performed a program of Bach that included ensemble pieces as well as solos, and concluded with all three performers in the Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor.

At the reception that followed, concert-goers were treated to an impressive array of home-baked cakes. They also had an opportunity to examine the current design for Way Park produced by the landscape design firm van der Zalm + associates hired by the Northfield City Council. The plan, focused on the undeveloped south end of the park, features an ampitheater, a path joining St. Olaf Ave. and Second Street, two rain gardens, an oak grove, and benches. Look for an Open House in May to see the final plans.

The Bach Benefit Concert raised $3000 plus an additional $2500 in a match announced at the beginning of the concert, bringing the park improvement fund of Friends of Way Park to more than $35,000. The current City Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget contains a total of $80,000 for this phase of the project.

How much of the landscape design can be accomplished in the immediate future remains uncertain, but it will have to start with grading, soil improvement, and seeding. When those costs are known, the City and Friends of Way Park will work out an agreement for sharing costs, and we will know how much of the rest of the plan can be implemented this year.

To request email updates on Phase I progress, please send a note to friendsofwaypark@gmail.com. Friends of Way Park hope that we can count on your continued, generous support.

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Phase I Concept Plan

The landscape architecture firm van der Zalm + Associates has been contracted by the city to design Phase I of the Way Park Master Plan, which includes grading and trails, rain gardens, and amphitheater seating. You can view the latest concept plan by clicking on the image and visit the van der Zalm website to leave comments and recommendations.