Money Magazine's choice last year of Woodbury as one of America's top 15 places to live led off with a tribute to its year-round Central Park.
"Frigid Minnesota winters aren't so bad when you have your own indoor park. That's right: Even in deepest February, Woodbury residents can hang out among the trees and other plant life at the enclosed Central Park, which connects to the local library, seniors' residence, and YMCA."
But city officials aren't necessarily satisfied. Soon, 1,500 residents will be invited, even badgered a bit, to respond to a survey asking them whether they feel that Central Park needs to have more to it.
With its playground, small cafe and leafy walkways, it's an important "hangout zone for a city without a traditional downtown," said city administrator Clint Gridley. "But we don't have a lot of space there. There's space; but not a lot of space."
The issue arises as expectations for libraries change. Library visits are dropping in many places as people turn to more digital downloads, and librarians are turning to more programming to lure folks in.
A $24 million Hennepin County library that is to go up soon in Brooklyn Park is being billed as a "living room for the community," designed around three hangout zones bathed in natural light.
In Woodbury, questions reviewed with members of the City Council last week offered residents options to:
• Add parking.