Moore Lake Park

Improvements

A refined concept plan for Moore Lake was developed focusing on the initial design intent for passive recreation for picnics and gatherings, as well as lakeshore activities. Enhancing Moore Lake Park as an iconic community gateway was recognized as a top priority. Other strategies to improve the park were related to improved water quality in order for water-related recreation to be more successful. 

Recommendations include:

• Improved and expanded picnic opportunities
• Water-related activities to include paddle rental kiosk and storage with boarding dock
• Park pavilion (location and size to be determined based on flood zones) with rental meeting room, restrooms and potential vending area
• Improved parking areas
• Basketball court
• Flexible open lawn spaces
• Naturalized spaces suitable for occasional flooding and stormwater storage
• New playground meeting a broader range of ages and abilities 
• Optional natural play space 
• Lakeside seating and viewing area 
• Improved trail connections and internal loops
• Incorporating landscaping and public art 

Final Playground Design

Resources

• View Moore Lake Park concept plans

Construction is set to begin in 2023. 

Beginning in 2019, the City undertook a comprehensive public engagement process through a variety of methods, allowing for a better understanding of current views, desires and trends related to parks, trails and recreation. 

Engagement methods included:

• Online outreach through Social PinPoint and Polco platforms
• Four-part in-person visioning series conducted by the Twin Cities LISC's Corridor Development Initiative 
• Targeted outreach to specific project stakeholders including Fridley athletic associations, senior center and Fridley ISD 13
• Gathered feedback through an interactive, GIS-based story map project website 
• Targeted community outreach through pop-up events 
• Community survey conducted by The Morris Leatherman Company 

A total of $50 million in possible park system improvements were identified in the Park Plan. Based on resident input, Fridley City Council directed staff to work with a Park Plan Refinement Task Force advisory group to recommend $30 million in park projects that would be most impactful to the community. 

Further, a resident Finance Task Force recommended funding the park system improvement plan by issuing General Obligation (GO) Tax Abatement Bonds for $20 million in bond proceeds, being repaid over no more than 15 years, with an additional $10 million to come from other City of Fridley funds. 

Tax abatement is a tool that can be used by cities to abate all or a portion of property taxes levied by the City for a given purpose, such as public infrastructure improvements. All taxpayers, whether identified as an abated parcel or not, will continue to pay property taxes as they normally would. Minnesota Statute 469.1813 gives cities authority for tax abatement, and this has become an increasingly common means of funding park improvements, as they provide benefit to all residents. A requirement is holding a public hearing for the consideration of tax abatement, and that was held on May 23, 2022.The bonds will be repaid over 15 years with annual debt service payments being levied for and it is likely there will be an increase in property taxes beginning in 2023.

This plan will provide many opportunities for expanded recreation programming, enjoyment of nature and social gatherings. Enhancing and modernizing the city park system will position Fridley as a great place to live, work and play now and for many years to come.

Questions about the project? Please email ParkPlan@FridleyMN.gov with questions or concerns. 

Construction of a biochar and iron enhanced sand filter is underway at Moore Lake Park and will continue through June 2023. This filter will treat stormwater runoff from a 94-acre area surrounding Moore Lake to help improve water quality. Water from the lake and storm sewer system will be pumped through the filter to remove pollutants including nutrients, bacteria, and sediment. Other water quality improvements include the installation of a hydrodynamic separator, a detention area, and pollinator plantings. Support for project is provided in part by the Rice Creek Watershed District and the Board of Water and Soil Resource’s Clean Water Fund.

 Moore Lake was designated as an impaired water for excess nutrients by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 2002. Common sources of nutrients into the lake include fertilizer runoff and leaves entering the storm sewer system. The improved water quality resulting from this project will be an important part of the overall effort to revitalize Moore Lake.

Moore Lake Biochar and Iron Enhanced Sand Filter Concept Plan