The Prior Lake City Council unanimously approved a plan Tuesday to present voters with a $60 million bond referendum to help fund improvements across the city’s Park and Trail System, including enhanced lakefront access, updated park amenities, high-quality athletic fields and better trail connectivity.

“Since 2018, the city has been working closely with residents to identify the challenges facing our aging park system and develop a thoughtful plan rooted in community priorities,” said Mayor Kirt Briggs. “From day one, the City Council has made it clear that this plan should be shaped by the people it serves. That’s why they’re putting the final decision in the hands of voters this November.”

Most of Prior Lake’s parks and trails were built decades ago and are nearing the end of their useful life. Even with regular maintenance, key amenities like playgrounds, shelters, trails and hockey rinks eventually require major updates or replacement to remain safe, functional and accessible for all residents.

If approved, funding from the referendum would support critical repairs and upgrades to neighborhood parks, Highway 13 trails, Lakefront Park and Spring Lake Park over the next five years. While improvements to neighborhood parks will vary based on specific needs, the city is committed to ensuring every resident has access to an updated, high-quality park within half a mile of their home. The city’s plan for Highway 13 trails focuses on closing trail gaps to improve safety and connectivity. At Spring Lake Park, planned investments include adding new pickleball courts, skating rinks, a warming house and year-round community restrooms. At Lakefront Park, the city would add a new adventure playground, splash pad and expanded recreational space for activities like fishing, skateboarding and picnicking among other improvements.

“Our parks and trails are central to what makes Prior Lake a great place to live, but many of them are overdue for reinvestment” said Steve Hart, Parks and Recreation Manager. “This plan is an opportunity to ensure our recreational spaces continue serving residents and enhancing our quality-of-life for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The city has worked carefully to ensure the proposed plan would provide long-term value to residents. If voters approve the referendum, the estimated property tax impact on a median-value home of $433,600 would be approximately $22 per month starting in 2026.

Residents are encouraged to visit the city’s dedicated referendum website: PlayExploreConnectPL.org for further details about the plan, the process, voting information, FAQs and more. The website also features a contact form that allows residents to forward questions or ideas directly to the city.

“Transparency and community input have been central to this process, which is why we created the referendum website,” said City Manager Jason Wedel. “It will serve as a resource where residents can explore the plan, ask questions, and share their feedback. We want everyone to be informed and heard before they head to the ballot box.”

Early voting will begin on Friday, September 19. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Leading up to the election, the city will continue to engage residents and gather community input about the referendum and proposed improvements.