Mission Statement:
Park Construction is dedicated to improving the infrastructure of our communities by providing exceptional construction services. Guided by our core values of safety, quality, integrity, and teamwork, our goal is to exceed expectations and raise the bar of excellence.
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In This Issue:
- Project Spotlight: Chanhassen City Street Rehabilitation
- Park Recognized as a CHASE Level 3 Contractor
- Message from the Corner Office
- Don’t Forget to RSVP to Park’s Winter Party
- Park Branded Apparel For Sale
- Safety Days 2025: Save the Date!
- Training Opportunities
- Project Spotlight: Green Energy Bioprocessing Facility
- Strategic Initiatives Update
- Project Spotlight: Railroad Bridge Grading
- Recent Wins
- Park on Social Media
- It Pays To Have Friends!
- EEO/Minority Outreach
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Project Spotlight: Chanhassen City Street Rehabilitation
We recently completed our paving operations on the City of Chanhassen's City Street Rehabilitation Project. This project includes the improvement of 3 miles of roadway across two neighborhoods, including utility upgrades, grading, and bituminous paving. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality work that will enhance the community for years to come.
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Park Recognized as a CHASE Level 3 Contractor
Park Construction has once again been recognized as a CHASE Level 3 contractor in the AGC of MN CHASE program. Safety and excellence are at the heart of everything we do, and since joining CHASE in 2017, we’ve seen significant improvements in our operations. This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible team—thank you for your commitment and attention to detail!
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Message from the Corner Office
As the snow begins to fall, signaling winter's arrival, we find ourselves wrapping up the bulk of our 2024 Construction Season. On behalf of the Leadership Team at Park Construction, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to every one of our employees and their families for your dedication and hard work throughout the year.
It’s been truly rewarding to witness the successful completion of 248 projects, all achieved with an unwavering commitment to our Core Values of Safety, Quality, Integrity, and Teamwork.
Thanks to the collective efforts of our 220 Team Members, Park Construction has made a meaningful impact, improving infrastructure across nine states while logging an impressive 107,000 manhours. This remarkable achievement reflects the strength and perseverance of our team.
As we turn our focus to the 2025 Construction Season, our Project Management and Estimating teams are already working diligently to secure opportunities for the year ahead. This winter, Park’s Senior Leadership will meet to refine our Strategic Initiatives for 2025, set ambitious goals, and inspire our team to reach new heights of excellence. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to seeing many familiar faces out on our projects.
Wishing you and your families a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season.
Sincerely,
Jeff Carlson
CEO/President
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Don’t Forget to RSVP to Park’s Winter Party
The Park Construction Winter Party will be held at Whirly Ball in Bloomington, MN on Friday January 31, 2025. Contact Kelly Elness for more information: kelness@parkconstructionco.com
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Park Branded Apparel For Sale
Contact Kelly Elness (HR) for product options, costs, and size availability.
Email: kelness@parkconstructionco.com
Office: 763-717-6200
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Safety Days 2025: Save the Date!
Our annual Safety Days Conference is coming March 5-6, 2025, at the Mermaid Event Center. The Full agenda and RSVP link will be coming soon, but for now, make sure to save those dates on your calendar.
In addition, we will be hosting a moderated discussion at Safety Days with all those involved in the utility damage prevention process. This is your chance to get the answers to the utility questions you’ve always wanted to ask. Who will be on the panel taking your questions?
- MN Office of Pipeline Safety Damage Prevention
- CenterPoint Damage Prevention Manager
- Gopher State One’s Chief Operating Officer
- USIC Regional Manager
Do not miss this opportunity to have your concerns heard and clarified. All questions will need to be submitted in advance of the event by clicking the button below, or emailing Jeff Slusser.
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Training Opportunities
Park Construction will be offering GPS Training on March 7th, 2025, at our New Shop Location in Blaine, MN.
In addition, there are a variety of Union classes available. Taking classes through your Union is FREE! The Union will likely cover your hotel, fuel, and airfare expenses, too!
With ever changing technology, continuous equipment improvements, and being a life long learner, we highly encourage you to take advantage of the various opportunities offered through your union.
Improving yourself in the workplace opens many more doors – professionally, personally, and financially. If you are unsure of a class you should take, or a skill you should improve upon, please ask your Superintendent for their input.
“The road to success is always under construction.” – Lily Tomlin
OSHA 30:
All individuals overseeing or managing personnel at Park Construction must have completed OSHA training within the last five years. A text message will be sent to those who need to complete the OSHA 30 during the off-season.
Safety Leadership Academy:
The Safety Leadership Academy is a mandatory program for individuals overseeing or managing personnel at Park Construction. The course spans 2.5 days and has received positive reviews, highlighting its substantial value. Those who have not yet completed the training will be contacted with the dates and RSVP information. Even if you are not currently supervising anyone but wish to enhance your safety leadership skills, attendance may be possible depending on availability. For more information, contact Jeff Slusser at jslusser@parkconstructionco.com.
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Project Spotlight: Green Energy Bioprocessing Facility
We are proud to be a part of projects that drive innovation and sustainability. Currently, we are providing site grading and utility construction services for a Green Energy project in South Dakota. This facility produces millions of gallons of sustainable fuels annually, playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and advancing renewable energy.
Our scope of work includes:
🔹 Topsoil Strip: 14,400 CY
🔹 Common Excavation: 49,300 CY
🔹 Common Borrow: 19,000 CY
🔹 Aggregates Placed: 21,700 TN
🔹 Storm Sewer Installation: 1,800 LF
🔹 Water Main Installation: 1,480 LF
Projects like this highlight the intersection of infrastructure and sustainability, and we're honored to contribute to building a cleaner, greener future.
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Strategic Initiatives Update
In January of 2024, Park Construction’s Senior Leadership had identified 5 strategic initiatives that would be emphasized and focused on in 2024. Each initiative committee is guided by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. Below is an update to each of the key strategic initiative committees since our last newsletter.
Divisional Alignment for a Common Goal: Division Managers
- Members: Charlie Borene, Dewey Kimmes, Jake Droessler, Mike Christianson, Mike Nottestad
- Continue to place emphasis on supporting each division with equipment and labor resource needs.
- Continuing to identify and prioritize bid opportunities to collaborate amongst the different divisions within Park Construction and provide work backlog for the future. Check out the recent wins section for additional information.
- Worked together amongst Divisions to identify, staff, and resource late season and winter work opportunities.
Training: Jeff Slusser
- Members: Jeff Slusser, Trent Cottingham, Ryan Pace, Dewey Kimmes, Bob Bruski, Sam Ganske, Larry Puck, Jennifer Clemens, Josh Prudhomme, Kelly Elness.
- Developed a training matrix for staff and trades.
- Implemented position-specific training as part of the onboarding process.
- Evaluated current and emerging technologies for operator development.
- Coordinated Leadership and Motivation training for 12 supervisors through the AGC of MN and identified additional future coursework.
- Identified key training topics for Safety Days.
- Initiated the development of an organizational training program.
Mental Wellness: Jake Droessler
- Members: Chad Grady, Derick Sonnenberg, Jake Droessler (Chair), Jeff Slusser, Josh Swankier, Kelly Elness, Rachel Stein, Rick Norenberg, Trent Cottingham
- Members attended the 3rd Annual Summit on Mental Health in Construction.
- Members attended/completed Vital Cog suicide prevention in construction training.
- Scheduled/Coordinated MW training at 2025 Safety Days.
- Scheduled TEAMS (EAP) to attend Safety Days and provide employees with additional information/resources.
- Signed the Minnesota Construction Mental Health Alliance – Mental Health & Wellbeing Commitment.
Recruiting & Retaining Employees: Charlie Borene
- Members: Jennifer Clemens, Brandon Larson, Chris Grimes, Charlie Borene, Jake Droessler, Kelly Elness, Sam Ganske, Trent Bolin.
- Analyzed data from the streaming, radio, and billboard campaigns. Will provide recommendations on future campaigns.
- Collected & distributed resumes from Fall Career/Job Fair events.
- Reviewing & identifying future hiring events and career fairs to attend.
Using Artificial Intelligence to Improve Efficiencies: Shawn Bloch
- Committee: Shawn Bloch, Jeff Carlson, Rachel Stein, Ted Gabel, Josh Prange, Alex Havis, Robert Bruski, Jeremy Schmitz, Kelly Elness
- Attended 2024 Insight Tech Conference targeting AI specific presentations/classes.
- Currently drafting a Company Policy regarding the use of A.I. in Park’s operations.
We thank all of you for your participation as committee members, volunteers, survey participants, and dedicated employees that continue to improve upon Park’s success and work toward a Safe and Successful year in 2025.
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Project Spotlight: Railroad Bridge Grading
Park Construction is proud to play a key role in the Railroad Diversion Project near Fargo, North Dakota. We are providing earthwork and utility services on this project. Our work involves raising the embankment to support a new, elevated railroad track, as well as excavating a flood channel under a new railroad bridge.
This project is part of the larger Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project, which aims to provide permanent, reliable flood protection for the region. Once complete in 2027, this diversion project will offer peace of mind and security to the local community, protecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure from flood risks.
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Recent Wins
Here are some of the projects we recently won bids on:
- City of Shakopee Sump Pump Service
- Burnsville Heart of the City Paving
- Wayzata Plymouth Creek
- Aquila Elementary
- Bayport Elementary
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Woodbury Middle School – Collaboration between Park’s Paving & Commercial Crews
- Plymouth Zachary WTP Enhancements
- MNDOT TH 169 Jorday
- Otman Middle School
- Mahtomedi Lakes Apartments
- East Ridge HS Additions & Renovations
- Substation P – Coralville, IA
- SE Soteria Substation – West Des Moines, IA
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Park on Social Media
One of our goals for 2024 is to have a bigger presence on social media. We are posting weekly content on multiple platforms, and we encourage you to follow us, like our posts, and leave a comment or share it if you feel inspired. You can find us on the following sites:
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It Pays To Have Friends!
Remember our Referral Bonus Program for next season! It’s Simple – if you refer someone and they get hired, you get a bonus!
We believe that our employees are our most valuable asset and that they are in the best position to recommend qualified candidates to join our team. If you know someone who would be a great fit for our company, please reach out to your supervisor or HR (contact info below) for more information on how you can participate in this program. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to growing our team with your help.
Email: kelness@parkconstructionco.com
Office: 763-717-6200
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EEO/Minority Outreach
It is Park Construction’s commitment to support our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy & Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) to create a workplace with diversity, inclusiveness and fair treatment. In effort to achieve and maintain this commitment, our Company is continually striving to diversify its personnel to reflect the changing demographics of the construction industry. We highly encourage employees to refer candidates who are women, people of color, or any member from a protected class for employment opportunities at Park.
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