Community Meeting Report
By: Kaare Melby
On February 16th, 2026, a group of Finland community members gathered at the Clair Nelson Center to discuss how they would like to see the community center developed in the future. The focus of the meeting was developments to the grounds surrounding the center, but ideas about the interior of the building were also discussed. The meeting consisted of 3 rounds of small group discussion, followed by a brainstorming session and voting on ideas. The meeting was masterfully facilitated by Dan Cahill Mathews.
The first round of small group discussion was focused on the question: “What community events & activities have given you a sense of belonging?” A young participant in the meeting shared that they “really like hanging out with my friends at kids’ night”. Other events were mentioned, such as the Farmers Market, the Harvest Booya Festival, the Wooden Bat Tournament, the Halloween festival, the Beargrease sled dog marathon, the Thanksgiving meal, the Vintage snowmobile run, the Labor Day picnic, and community meals. Here is a word cloud created by the responses to the first question:
The second round of small group discussion was focused on the question: “What is missing from our community in Finland, Minnesota?” One of the most resonant responses to this question was “The elders we have lost.” We shared a moment remembering them and acknowledging that some things that are lost can not be regained. After that, we discussed things that we can affect. People expressed a desire for more intergenerational activities, more ways people can easily get involved in volunteering, more group adventures, and more winter activities like skiing, ice skating, and snowshoeing. People also expressed a desire for a skating rink with a warming house, an outdoor kitchen space, and better outdoor seating. People also expressed a desire for more communication about things happening at the Clair Nelson Center. Here is a word cloud created by the responses to the second question:
The third round of small group discussion was focused on the question: “What could an even greater community center in Finland look like?” There were many ideas brought up by this question, including ideas to get more playground equipment and toys, have more all-age events, make the pizza oven area into an outdoor kitchen, and get youth involved in softball. Here is a word cloud created by the responses to the third question:
After the 3 rounds of small group discussion, we moved to concrete ideas. Folks wrote down ideas for future projects at the Clair Nelson Center, and then everyone was able to vote on the projects they liked the most. This process gives Friends of Finland a list of community-identified goals. We can’t guarantee that we can achieve everything on this list, but it gives us a set of goals to work towards. The projects were divided into 2 categories, “Inside” and “Outside”. Here are the results of this process:
Outside:
12 votes: Fix Playground: Less congestion, new equipment, climbing wall, equipment for older kids.
9 votes: Fix Tennis Court: add pickleball, cornhole, canopy, resurface, weed.
8 votes: Fix Parking Lot: move handicap spot or extend roof, remove curb, better use of space.
7 votes: Update Pizza Oven Area: make into an outdoor kitchen by adding a grill, walls, security, and make available through classes.
6 votes: Landscaping/beautification of grounds surrounding the community center.
3 votes: Trimming after mowing.
3 votes: More outdoor seating.
2 votes: Skating rink with lighting and a warming house.
2 votes: Caution/Slow down signs to put on road during ball games.
2 votes: Make/expand pollinator garden.
1 vote: Update apple orchard.
1 vote: Canopy over repaired/replaced ballfield bleachers.
1 vote: Fire pit with benches
1 vote: Dog poop bags for the playground.
Inside
6 votes: Coat hooks instead of closet
6 votes: Taller chairs and “lazy susans” for large round tables.
3 votes: Dust and wash gym walls, floor to ceiling.
3 votes: Clean building interior.
2 votes: Have a night where we can all sit and watch plays.
2 votes: Better organization of the utility room
2 votes: Wash windows.
1 vote: Community cleaning day.
1 vote: Better couch/conversation area.
1 vote: Have a “kids’ room” when adults have meetings.
