Shakopee’s Former Gravel Pit Could Become Your Next Park

TLDR

• Shakopee approved a Gravel Park design contract on October 6, 2026.
• Plans include a splash pad, playground, kayak launch, sledding hill, and trails.
• City staff estimate the park project at about $3.5 million, funded by park development fees.
• Final features can change. The meeting materials didn’t list an opening date.

A former gravel pit in Shakopee could become a place to paddle, play, and spend time outside year-round.

On October 6, 2026, the City Council approved a design contract for Shakopee Gravel Park. The next step is turning the park’s broad plan into detailed drawings.

What’s planned for Gravel Park?

The city’s October 6 staff report describes a public park and trails around a man-made lake. Those trails would connect nearby neighborhoods to the existing trail network.

The planned features include a playground, splash pad, and canoe and kayak launch. There’s also a sledding hill, a four-season warming house and pavilion, and a lake dock and skating area.

A pedestrian bridge, hammock groves, picnic shelters, benches, and public art are in the mix too.

These features still need design work and city review. A separate playground company will handle the final playground design.

What did the council approve?

The council approved a contract with Confluence to move the approved 2024 master plan forward. The work includes detailed design, construction drawings, help with bids, and oversight during construction.

The city must approve each design phase before the next one starts. That gives officials a chance to review the features, costs, and priorities along the way.

Staff said the site was being graded. The park designers will work with the engineer for the nearby housing development to make sure the land works for park uses.

The October 6 vote approved professional services. It didn’t award a contract to build the park.

How much would it cost?

The staff report estimates the park project at about $3.5 million, paid for with park development fees.

The design contract has a separate limit: $201,804 for professional services. It also lists $2,700 in estimated expenses, with a 15% administrative fee on reimbursable expenses.

The $3.5 million figure is an estimate, not a final construction bid. Costs will be reviewed as the design takes shape.

When could you use it?

The October 6 materials didn’t give an opening date. Design reviews, construction bids, and later approvals still need to happen.

You can follow the city’s park project updates as plans develop. For now, the splash pad, launch, and trails are planned features, not finished places to visit.