8.4.A. PRSR 06-08-2005Item # 8.4.A.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Bill Maertz, Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE: June 2, 2005
SUBJECT: Lions Park Center: Teen Programming Space
Lions Park is exceptionally well located to provide programming for teens. Its proximity
to the schools, central location and the high density of rental housing nearby, combine to
make Lions Pazk a gathering spot for teenagers in Elk River. The addition of the skate
park in 2004 added to the popularity of Lions Park with teens.
Staff is exploring options for recreational programming at Lions Park in order to provide
alternatives to "hanging out" in an unsupervised environment. One option is the creation
of a new staff position titled Teen Programmer. This position would work under the
supervision of the Recreation Coordinator, Ross Demant, to provide supervision at the
skate park, supervise teen intramural sports, and organize special events and field trips
involving teens.
Another option is the potential of creating indoor recreation space for teens at Lions Park
Center. Staff is examining options for enclosing the picnic pavilion attached to Lions
Park Center and creating a teen center/ warming house. This space could be staffed by the
Teen Coordinator and along with the skate park become the beginning of Elk Rivers teen
outreach infrastructure. Additional concepts include an outdoor climbing rock and a
towrope for snowboarding.
Staff believes that every avenue for involving and valuing teenagers in Elk River needs to
be explored .The potential of Lions Park Center to play a role in teen development is
phenomenal and needs to be enhanced as much as possible.