Park & Recreation Advisory Board

Members of the Park and Recreation Advisory Commission hang out on the swings at Washington Park

Meetings

Third Thursday of each month
6:30 p.m.

JULY 21, 2022 MEETING CANCELLED

August through November
Northfield Police Department - Training Room - 1st Floor
1615 Riverview Drive, Northfield, MN 55057

December 15
City Hall - 2nd Floor Training Room
801 Washington Street, Northfield, MN 55057

Agendas and minutes

7-21-22 PRAB Agenda Packet

6-30-22 PRAB Agenda Packet

Related information

Park & Recreation Advisory Board Bylaws (PDF)

Rules of Business (PDF)

City’s Strategic Plan

City’s Comprehensive Plan

City Code/Charter

Ice Arena

Parks and recreation

Swimming pool


City Meeting Archives Opens in new window
The City meeting archives contain agendas, minutes, handouts and additional information.

  1. City Meeting Portal Opens in new window
    The City meeting portal allows you to view live streamed meetings and agendas with clickable links.

Members

NameTitleTerm expiration
Sebastian Burset
MemberDecember 31, 2024
Peder JothenMemberDecember 31, 2022
Nathan Knutson
MemberDecember 31, 2022
Stacy Longwich Kleis
MemberDecember 31, 2024
Neil Lutsky
Member
December 31, 2022
Rebecca PetersonVice-Chair
December 31, 2023
Ben Playter
ChairDecember 31, 2023
Adam OlsonNon-voting MemberDecember 31, 2022
Cora McBroomYouth Representative (non-voting member)2021-2022 school year
(to be determined)Youth Representative (voting member)2021-2022 school year


Contacting the commission

If you have questions or comments, you can email the commission. Each member will receive your email. When replying to your email, a commission member cannot reply to all members, only to you. This avoids violating the open meeting law.

Email the Park and Recreation Advisory Board

Liaisons

For general information about the board, please contact a staff liaison. Also, if you have questions or comments for the board, contact a staff liaison and they will assist.

NameTitlePhone number
Tim BehrendtStreet & Parks Manager507-645-3027
Alisha HayesAdministrative Associate507-645-3045

Overview

The City of Northfield Park and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) directly advises staff and officials regarding the public parks system and all public recreational facilities in the City of Northfield. PRAB assists with long-range planning for land acquisition for parks, natural areas and trails, as well as detailed plans for park development and use and recreational facilities.

  1. 2020 accomplishments
  2. 2019 accomplishments

In 2020, we faced unprecedented opposition in our community due to the response of a global pandemic. Many recreation activities were affected and due to closures of programming we observed numerous associations and community members suffer extensive cancellations throughout the year.

Accomplishments

  • Riverside/Lions Park: completed the street project of the turnaround and opened the canoe/kayak takeout; in 2021 we will see the pickle ball courts reconstructed
  • River corridor: delivered an action plan which our city council reviewed and adopted after being presented by the Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee, which included Ames Park, Babcock Park, Riverside/Lion Park, and Sechler Park
  • Odd Fellows Park: slated to have ADA-complaint restrooms constructed in 2021 as part of the assessed needs of our ongoing park infrastructure improvements
  • Way Park: additional concepts and planning for a Northfield Hospital memorial have been in the works and will likely be realized in 2021
  • Maintenance: collaboration between the department and community associations support marquee parks like Babcock Park, Sechler Park, and Spring Creek which offer expansive sporting venues and future development opportunities

Member requirements

The board consists of seven members appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. Members serve staggered three-year terms. Members do not receive monetary compensation.

Applying

  1. You can apply to more than one board, commission or task force.

    Apply for a board, commission, or task force

    Applications are also available at:

    City Hall
    801 Washington Street
    Northfield, MN 55057

    Northfield Public Library
    210 Washington Street
    Northfield, MN 55057