9.0. PRSR 04-10-2013 * Item: 9
Elk MEMORANDUM
River
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: April 10, 2013
SUBJECT: Director's Report
This report is a monthly highlight of our Department's activities informing the Commission on
items related to collaborations, strategic planning,staff changes/ development, and park operations.
Recreation Coordinator Vacancy
A total of 99 applications have been received for this vacancy. The deadline date was March 25.
The I-IR Manager is currently reviewing the initial applications and staff should begin to review them
later this month.
Orono Park Playground
The playground is being reviewed and soon to be manufactured through the Landscape Structures
plant in Delano. It will take 12-weeks to manufacture since it is all custom designed for Elk River.
Staff and Commission members are invited to tour the plant when the Elk River equipment is being
manufactured on the assembly line next month. We will keep Commission members informed of
the date. It will take two weeks to construct the playground on site estimated to begin on June 3. A
grand opening ceremony is planned for Tuesday,June 25 at 7:30 pm. Commission members are
encouraged to attend.
Playground Equipment Donation
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended last December that the playground equipment
at Baldwin Park be removed because of safety reasons. Staff is working to donate the playground
equipment at both Baldwin and Orono to a nonprofit organization, KIDS Around the World. Their
mission is to build playgrounds for children in underprivileged locations outside the United States.
The organization will remove the equipment at both locations. We are working on getting the
playground equipment removed by the end of this month.
Staff is working on a resolution for City Council to authorize the removal and donation of this
obsolete and unsafe playground equipment. The playground equipment at both sites no longer
complies with the ASTM consumer safety performance specifications for playground equipment for
public use in the United States.
Tree Removal
Parks maintenance staff continues to clear away dead trees and limbs in the parks. This includes
trees that have been hit by lighting and/or need to be cleared away for a future project such the new
playground at Orono.
Skate Park Committee
A meeting of the skate park committee will he held following the regular Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting on April 10. Concept plans for a new skate park and location are the main
discussion items.
History Day
The City's Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is planning a "History Day" celebration on
June 15 in conjunction with Art Soup. Some of the activities being planned are a Fashion Show,
Archeological dig at Bailey Point and an Old Town Ball game. The ball game is planned for the
Handke Pit. Parks maintenance staff will need to remove the hockey boards in time for this event
and the Hockey Day Minnesota event planned for early next year.