City of Cottage Grove to explore possible park tax; citizen survey planned

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The city of Cottage Grove will survey residents to gauge support for a wide-ranging parks referendum that could help fund park improvements, an outdoor aquatic facility and a future sports complex.

Cottage Grove will spend $12,000 to hire polling group Decision Resources to conduct a scientific survey that will question 400 residents on whether they would be willing to pay additional taxes to help fund millions of dollars in park improvements.

The survey, officials said, will offer the city a better understanding of voters’ feelings on the various park proposals and will save the city tens of thousands of dollars more if it reveals little public support for the additional spending.

Under a measure approved by the City Council last week, the city will also spend $10,000 to complete a feasibility study of a planned expansion of Hamlet Park and $3,500 to refine designs and costs for a possible indoor/outdoor play center at the site of the city’s former municipal pool, which closed last summer.

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