Beginning Wednesday, park enthusiasts will have a chance to weigh in on how more than $5 million should be spent on improvements for Theodore Wirth Park.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will have design meetings Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday where the public can talk with the park's citizen advisory committee and a professional design team about upgrades planned for the next few years, said Jennifer Ringold, manager of community engagement and citywide planning.

"For many people, they'll get to see these improvements happen," Ringold said.

One likely topic of discussion: a proposal by the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation last December to use the northern end of the park, where the Par 3 golf course is, for a staging area for cross county skiing and a center for "silent sports." Some users of the Par 3 course object to that plan, saying it's a neighborhood amenity used by a diversity of players.

The Park Board has already included a welcome center in its bonding requests, Ringold said. The center has the potential to accommodate a range of athletes including skiers, snowboarders, golfers and others.

"I think the charrette process will allow for more conversations about what will happen in that area," she said.

The Park Board is also considering creating an off-leash dog park in or near Wirth Park.

The park is still recovering from the May 22 tornado, which uprooted or badly damaged more than 300 trees and wrecked a new 280-foot boardwalk around the swimming area.

Ideas discussed this week will be used by the citizen advisory committee to issue recommendations for a park master plan and funding priorities.

On Wednesday the community meeting will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on the second floor of the Wirth Chalet. On Thursday, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the open studio will let the public visit with the design team who will be working on concept ideas. On Saturday, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., there will be a community open house to review the concepts at the Par 3 golf clubhouse. Public comment is also welcome at the citizen advisory committee meeting which will be on Nov. 8 at park board headquarters from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Nicole Norfleet • 612-673-4495