On Saturday, September 26th, JLG Architects will be in Apple Valley, MN, to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated outdoor pavilion and playground at Kelley Park, located at 6855 Fortino Street.
Kelley Park’s renovation was led by Confluence landscape architects, in collaboration with JLG Architects. The park project, supported by the 2023 Apple Valley Parks Referendum, introduces a new Purple Bear Playground and a new amphitheater, along with an interactive splash pad, a shelter, a large mobile LED screen, and a three-restroom, ADA-accessible building connected to a looped trail system. The renovation also expanded on-site parking, with designated space for food trucks.
To create the new amphitheater, the performance stage was relocated to the southwest side of the park. The amphitheater was positioned within a gently sloped natural bowl lawn to optimize concert and movie sightlines.
The Purple Bear Playground is the project’s centerpiece, featuring slides and climbing elements by Earthscape Play and Midwest Playscapes. The Big Purple Bear character gives the destination playground a playful identity while a mix of climbing structures, slides, and nature-inspired elements invites children of all ages and abilities to explore and play.
“We’ve been looking forward to the day we could welcome the community back to Kelley Park. These improvements create so many new opportunities for people to play, gather, attend events, and spend time outdoors, and we’re excited for residents to experience everything the renovated park has to offer.”
—Eric Carlson, City of Apple Valley Parks & Recreation Director
Confluence and JLG Architects integrated sustainable features and natural wood elements throughout Kelley Park’s redesign, including exposed cross-laminated timber decking on the restroom building, with a thermally modified wood canopy and polished black concrete in an ashlar pattern on the bandshell. Each building is solar-ready, allowing for future photovoltaic panel installation that supports the City’s long-term sustainability goals. In collaboration with Reengineered, the splash pad water was also regeneratively designed with drains that collect and recycle water for the Park’s irrigation needs.
“Kelley Park is designed to bring the Apple Valley community together while creating meaningful connections to nature. The new bandshell provides a welcoming place for performances and events, and the curved trails weave through the landscape, inviting people to slow down, explore, and experience nature. Together with the recirculating splash pad and new playground, these improvements create a park that encourages gathering, play, discovery, and connection.”
—Teddy Gustafson, AIA, LFA, LEED Green Associate, WELL AP | Project Designer – JLG Architects
Kelley Park + Redwood Park
Informed by community charrettes and public forums, the redesign of Kelley Park is one of two Apple Valley parks and recreation projects that Confluence and JLG Architects are leading simultaneously. Nearby, the 12-acre Redwood Park renovation includes a fully inclusive playground; new courts for tennis, pickleball, basketball, and Ecuavolley; expanded parking; a new pool; a sustainably designed park building; accessible restrooms; pool mechanical equipment; and a natural stormwater area.
The new Redwood Community Pool was the first major completion of the redesigned Redwood Park project, which opened to the public on June 5th. The new all-inclusive destination playground is anticipating a fall 2026 completion. The looped trail system connects the new park amenities, with a future pedestrian tunnel linking both Kelley and Redwood Parks.
“This project was a great opportunity to improve a well-used, albeit slightly dated, open space within the city and provide a more active space for use by the multi-family housing adjacent to the site. It also now ties into the recently renovated Redwood Park with similar materiality, form, and a richer and more modern color palette. Overall, these projects will become great features within the city and, hopefully, will draw more families to the area.”
—Rick Mack, Senior Project Architect – JLG Architects
Grand Opening Festival
In partnership with the Apple Valley Arts Foundation, Kelley Park’s Grand Opening Festival will be free and open to the public from Noon–7:30 p.m., providing an array of events and music in conjunction with the city’s Fall Food Truck Festival.
Event Parking: With more than 4,000 expected to attend, shuttles will be utilized to transport guests to and from the festivities. For more information, go to: Kelley Park Grand Opening Festival | Apple Valley, MN – Official Website
Festival Agenda:
Noon Food Trucks Open
Noon–1:30 p.m. Live Music: Kids DJ
1:30–3 p.m. Live Music: Continuing Education Band
3–5:30 p.m. Sports Game Broadcast on Big Screen
5:30-6 p.m. Ribbon Cutting Event
6–7:30 p.m. Live Music: Urban Classic Presents:
The Music of Earth, Wind & Fire
(Presented by the Apple Valley Arts Foundation)
