That’s why the committee is doing some less-expensive smaller projects now.

For instance, cottonwood trees will be planted in Spring Lake and Wheeler parks, where towering cottonwoods are a striking feature of both. Thinking ahead to the day when those mature trees will die, the committee wants younger trees in the ground to eventually take their place.

When cold weather firms up the shore of Spring Lake, crews will be putting sandy beaches in several spots. The idea isn’t to make a place for swimming, it’s to allow people — especially kids — a route to the water’s edge.

A fishing pier and a recreation of an historic artesian well are also in the works.

“We’re talking about things like fruit trees and community gardens,” Norland said. “We’ve done a lot.”

The prospects for doing a lot more improved greatly when the city received legislative authority in May to impose a half-percent local option sales tax, authorizing part of the proceeds to be used for parks and trails.

“Bottom line, money makes it happen,” Norland said.

Vision does, too, and the committee is offering plenty of that, said City Administrator Wendell Sande.

“It’s a group of people with a broad diversity of interests,” Sande said. “So we’ve had some interesting discussions about what a park should be.”

The diversity of opinion may grow, probably next year, when the committee is expected to hold neighborhood meetings to get even more grass-roots advice into what North Mankatoans want from their parks.

“They certainly have been receptive, willing to listen to ideas,” Hagen said of city officials. “It’s fabulous to have some community input.”