Third concept considered

for Hermann Heights Park

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- After reviewing the first two design concepts created for a renovated Hermann Heights Park, the Park and Recreation Commission gave its director the go-ahead to have the design engineer create a "Konzept C" for the park.

The third, and probably last, concept would incorporate the suggested changes from the community, city staff and City Council and commission members, Director Dave Bechtold said.

Konzepts A and B were first unveiled by Scott Midness of Parsons Transportation Group, the master plan's designer, at a public meeting held last month on park grounds.

"Most of the people at that meeting and city staff who have seen them since have selected plan A with a little bit of plan B thrown in," Bechtold told the commission.

Plan A features a fenced-in oval statue area reminiscent of the Hermannsdenkmal in Detmold, Germany, where the original Hermann statue resides. It also features a bus-friendly parking lot that can accommodate 85 cars. The widened Monument Street that serves as access to the park would accommodate an additional 15-16 parking stalls.

The configuration of the new restrooms is a remaining issue, Bechtold said. Midness, in Konzept A, had envisioned separated men's and women's restrooms situated between the proposed picnic shelters and the statue area.

"We're thinking that the restrooms should be closer to the children's play area (on the park's north side) and could be combined into one building with a cost savings," Bechtold said.

The design also calls for two large picnic shelters, incorporating into it one of the existing shelters.

"Our thinking is that with other parks available for large groups that two will be enough," Bechtold explained.

Plan A also has a fairly large, open greensward in the southwest corner along Center and Monument streets. Monument Street would end in a small cul-de-sac for cars to turn around to exist the park.

Councilor Joel Albrecht met with the commission to ask that a commission member be named to an ad hoc committee that is studying development of a recreational map for the stretch of Minnesota River between the Harkin Store in West Newton and the City of Courtland. Commissioner Paul Fromm volunteered to serve on the committee.