The results of Big Lake’s citywide Mitchell Farms Park Survey were discussed by the Parks Advisory Committee on Mon., Jan. 27, 2026. 

During the meeting, the board voted to approve a motion recommending to the council that further discussion be held regarding the Mitchell Farms Park survey results and a timeline for replacing park amenities at Mitchell Farms Park. The motion was approved unanimously. Chair Doug Pederson and Board Member Jeff Webster were absent. 

Upcoming Action

Streets, Parks, and Fleet Superintendent Norm Michels, who advised on the motion, informed board members that March would be the earliest the council could take up the discussion during its scheduled workshop. He explained that the construction of the new Public Safety Facility and a proposed new Wastewater Treatment Facility were the council’s priorities, though he would try to fit it in.

Michels also said the new council meeting schedule made it more difficult to add new items to the agenda, an assertion Finance Director Deb Wegeleman agreed with. 

Survey Results

Two-hundred and fifty-nine people took part in the survey, 236 of whom were residents of Big Lake. Almost half of those residents live within a half mile of the park and were between the ages of 35-54. 

Among Big Lake residents, when asked how important it was to have playground equipment in Mitchell Farms Park, 65% answered very important, and another 15% said it was important. 

When asked what new amenities they would like to see added to Mitchell Farms Park, 77% said they would like new playground equipment. 64% said they were very likely or likely to support funding for new amenities at Mitchell Farms Park. 

The city received 120 comments, many expressed displeasure with how the decision to remove the existing equipment was made, while others worried about city spending and high property taxes.

One disappointed resident wrote, “I used this park when I was a kid; now I have a one-year-old. We were looking forward to play(ing) on it more as she gets the skills needed to use it.”

To view the full results of the survey, go to the city’s website and click on “Agendas & Minutes.” Scroll to Parks Advisory Board and download the agenda for the January 26 meeting or follow this link: https://www.biglakemn.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01262026-1215.  The survey begins on page nine.