Park Improvement Plans and Projects

Park Systems Plan

Park System Plan Update: To help guide the growth, development, and management of our parks system and recreational programming, the City of West St. Paul is creating a new Parks and Recreation System Plan. The existing systems plan was completed in 2000, and with shifting priorities, demographics, issues, and opportunities, this new modern plan presents us with the opportunity to assess needs holistically and lay out a vision and roadmap for the next 15 years.

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Understand and Engage (Spring 2023)
The project team assessed the existing parks and recreation system, studied existing conditions, and learned about needs, assets, and concerns from the community and city leaders.

Phase 2: Envision and Engage (Summer 2023)
Through in-person and online engagements, the community shared their vision and priorities for the future of the park system. Building upon the information gathered in Phase 1, the project team began assembling a set of themes, guiding principles, and vision to drive change and improvement.

Phase 3: Act (Fall-Winter 2023/2024)
This phase of the project will take information from previous phases and develop a plan that outlines how, when, where, and with whom steps can be taken to act upon the community’s vision.

Phase 4: Adopt (Winter-Spring 2024)
A draft of the plan will be shared with the community for a final round of input and revision. Various city committees will review the plan before final action and adoption by the City Council.

Phase 5: Implementation (2024-2039)
Once adopted, the Park System Plan will guide the Parks Department's actions, projects, operations, and decision-making. As circumstances change, the city may periodically update the plan.

To learn more about the Park System Plan.

Park Improvement Plans

  1. Harmon Park (PDF)
  2. Harmon Park Master Plan (PDF)
  3. Harmon Park Redevelopment Plan (PDF)
  4. Marthaler Park Draft Masterplan - Updated Sept 2021
  1. Marthaler Park Master Plan (PDF)
  2. West St. Paul Parks Master Plan (PDF)
  3. West St. Paul Sports Complex (PDF)
  4. West St. Paul Sports Complex Master Plan (PDF)

Marthaler Park Master Plan Updates

In 2017, the City Council directed staff to update the master plans for Marthaler Park. Staff hired WSB & Associates to facilitate the plan updates. Public meetings were held with the Parks and Recreation Committee as well as the major user groups, including ISD 197 and Dakota County. All the information gathered was used to develop the new draft master plans. Those plans will be presented to the City Council but never adopted.

In 2019, the north end of the park was redeveloped as part of the Wentworth Ave reconstruction project.  The project added a new play area, a new parking lot, resurfaced volleyball and basketball courts and new stormwater treatment ponds

In 2021 staff was able to partner with Dakota County to reconstruct the trails through Garlough and Marthaler Parks, bringing them up to regional trail standards.  This project filled a critical gap in the River to River trail system, which also runs through the newly constructed tunnel under Robert St.

In early 2021 staff again worked with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to identify what elements still needed to be included in the Marthaler Park Master Plan.  Additional public input is currently being collected with hope of bringing the plan to the City Council in October for approval.  If approved, the City will complete the Master Plan with construction projects in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

If you have comments or questions about the Marthaler draft master plan, you may email the Parks & Recreation Director, Dave Schletty or call 651-552-4152.