7.1.A. PRSR 09-08-2010Item: 7. I .A
MEMORANDUM
ver
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager
DATE: September I, 2010
SUBJECT: City Park Hours
Concern has been raised in regards to activities that occur in Elk River City Parks after
hours. Current city ordinance states that parks are open to the public Erom 6:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. daily. There aze, however, cases where activities are operating outside that
timeframe. Examples of activities that are occurring after park hours include:
• Mountain bike riding at Hillside Park
• Hikers at Woodland Trails Park
• Disk golf at Lions Park
There are several factors relevant to this issue. These include:
• There are activities that some patrons wish to conduct outside of park hours that
could be considered acceptable.
• City staff is not consistently informed specifically when these activities are taking
place.
• Allowing activities to occur after park hours makes patrolling and enforcement more
difficult for the police department.
• There is a safety and liability concern of allowing activities in parks that are not
designed for night use.
• Currently groups can submit a permit request for activities that require special
attention such as operating outside of park hours. These special park uses are routed
through the Pazks and Recreation Commission.
Staff is looking for feedback from the Commission on how to approach the issue of after
hours park use. Possible discussion items include:
• Adhere to current ordinance and not allow activities to occur outside of pazk hours
without a permit.
• Adjust hours at certain parks based on use demands. This would require a change in
the City ordinance.
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