Join us on April 29 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran College for a Hilltop Area Planning Study Open House. Study data and draft plan content will be presented for review and feedback.

When: Tuesday, April 29, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Where: Bethany Lutheran College | Bethany Activity Center Alumni Lounge | 905 Marsh St., Mankato. The Bethany Activity Center is located on the corner of Marsh St and Division St., across from Honsey Hall. View Map.

The community participated in an engagement for the Hilltop Planning Area Study in November 2024 to offer input to help prioritize the data collection phase. Below are results and feedback from that engagement.

Ideas & Opportunities:

• Native Pollinator Spaces: Create pollinator-friendly gardens at businesses and parks.
• Park/Playground Enhancements: Add inclusive and accessible play areas, spaces for young children (ages 1-5), possibly with indoor options.
• Dog Waste Management: Improve waste disposal facilities throughout the area.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Install charging infrastructure to support sustainable transportation.
• Dog Park: Establish a dedicated dog park for off-leash play.
• Splash Pad: Interactive water play area for children and families.

Land Use:

• Balance Business/Industrial Expansion: Address concerns about businesses encroaching on residential areas, including the impact of businesses purchasing homes, while balancing growth with neighborhood preservation.
• Increase Trees and Greenery: Explore opportunities for additional trees and greenery throughout the neighborhood to improve air quality, provide shade, and enhance overall aesthetics.
• Make the Neighborhood a Pedestrian/Biking Hub: Develop features that encourage walking and cycling, making the area a hub for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Promote Small, Locally-Owned Businesses: Explore ways to provide resources or incentives for small businesses (non-chain) to thrive in the area.

Pedestrian Safety & Connectivity:

• Improve Walkability & Traffic Safety: Introduce traffic calming measures and enhance pedestrian infrastructure.
• Enhance Crosswalks: Upgrade crosswalks with clearer markings, better lighting, and possibly indicator lights at key intersections to increase visibility and safety.
• Create Pedestrian Crossing Near Mayo Clinic: Develop a dedicated pedestrian crossing for Mayo Clinic employees.
• Add or Widen Sidewalks: Expand existing sidewalks or create new ones in identified areas to improve pedestrian flow, access, and safety.
• Add Walking Trail from West End to Alexander Park: Develop a walking trail that connects the west end of the neighborhood to Alexander Park.

Traffic Comments/Concerns:

• Address Speeding in Key Areas: Target areas with speeding concerns by implementing traffic calming measures, design changes, enhanced signage, and increased enforcement.
• Manage Traffic Density in Residential Areas/Cut-Through Traffic: Explore options to reduce traffic volume in residential neighborhoods, such as limiting cut-through routes or measures to discourage drivers who don’t live in the neighborhood.
• On-Street Parking in Identified Areas: Review on-street parking conditions in specific areas and redesign to improve traffic flow and safety.
• Oaklawn Area Parking and Pedestrian Traffic: Address parking issues and pedestrian safety concerns in the Oaklawn area.
• Add or Expand Bike Lanes: Identify key routes for new or improved bike lanes to enhance cycling safety and connectivity.
• Increase Traffic Enforcement: Strengthen enforcement of traffic laws, particularly in areas with frequent violations of speed limits, stop signs, etc.

Comments/Concerns from "What's Missing" Board

Note: Only those submitted on the "What's Missing" board were viewable to other participants and could be voted on. Additional comments/concerns shared individually are listed below.

Pedestrian Safety:

• Oaklawn/Mayo area concerns regarding crosswalks, sidewalk solutions and parking impacting visibility.
• Sidewalk Solution: Connect Mayo/Mankato Clinic to Main Street/Oaklawn/E. Mulberry/Garden Blvd. for improved pedestrian paths.
• Marsh & Dane: Need more visible crosswalk as traffic does not stop for pedestrians.
• Need for safe crossing points for pedestrians and bikers on E. Main (Hannah St./E. Main & Dellview Lane).
• E. Main Street: Residents feel unsafe biking due to increased traffic.

Traffic Concerns:

• E. Mulberry "No Parking" Area: Underutilized for tournaments, suggesting a reduction in size.
• Visibility at Mayo and Oaklawn Exits: Suggest no parking on the right side of Oaklawn Ave. to improve visibility, especially in winter.
• E. Main St/Dickinson Street: Difficult left turns and high pedestrian traffic.
• Marsh & Dane Intersection: Left turns from Marsh onto Dane are problematic.

City of Mankato Strategic Plan Goals Represented

The Hilltop Area Planning Study project and draft plan is aligned with the City's Strategic Plan. View the strategic plan goals that align with this project.

Next Steps:

• Plan Drafted
• April 29 Open House, Opportunity for Community Feedback
• Revisions
• Presentation to City Council at May 27 Work Session
• Plan Adopted

Join us on Nov. 14 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran College for a Hilltop Neighborhood Planning Open House. This is your chance to actively shape the future of the neighborhood. Share your suggestions, ideas and concerns directly with City staff. Staff will also present feedback gathered from previous community events, meetings and focus groups. This is the final opportunity for community input before moving to the next phase of data collection. Your input will help identify the areas that need to be studied and evaluated as a draft plan is created for the neighborhood.

When: Thursday, November 14, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Where: Bethany Lutheran College | Bethany Activity Center Alumni Lounge | 905 Marsh St., Mankato. The Bethany Activity Center is located on the corner of Marsh St and Division St., across from Honsey Hall. View Map.

Can’t make it to the open house? Learn more and provide your input online at everyvoice.mankatomn.gov/hilltop.

Join the City of Mankato staff for a cool treat and conversation about the Hilltop neighborhood on:

Wednesday, August 21
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Alexander Park, 900 E. Main St.

We want to hear your suggestions, concerns and ideas. Help provide direction for the Hilltop Planning Area Study and the vision for the neighborhood.

Attend a come-and-go open house to learn more about the Hilltop Planning Area Study and celebrate the reopening of the Erlandson Park playground:

Tuesday, June 11
5:00-6:30 p.m.
Erlandson Park

101 N. Belmont Dr.

Attendees will be able to learn more from City staff about the Hilltop Planning Area Study and provide input on recommendations and concerns for the neighborhood.

Thursday, May 16 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

City staff will be at the Washington Elementary School All-School Picnic at the school playground to talk to parents, guardians and students about neighborhood recommendations and concerns.