8.2. PRSR 08-14-2013 City Request for Action
River-
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Action Items August 14, 2013 Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Appointment of Bailey Point Nature Preserve City Cal Portner, City Administrator
Park Trail Steward Reviewed by
Action Requested
Naming of Eric Toth as the Bailey Point Nature Preserve City Park Trail Steward
Background/Discussion
Park Trail Stewards provide leadership overseeing volunteers and are a key element in the maintaining
and developing of the trails system throughout the parks. Trail stewards also serve as the primary
communication link between staff and the many volunteers who spend thousands of hours annually in
the parks on maintenance and park improvements.
Park Stewards may also provide and supervise safety training for volunteers as outlined in the attached
city policy"Safety Rules and Equipment Usage for Volunteers". This policy was recommended by the
Commission and approved by City Council last September 2012.
We currently have two official Parks Stewards with Rich Omdahl as the Hillside City Park Trail Steward
(August 2009) and Dave Anderson as the Woodlands Park Steward. Dave Anderson was appointed as
the Park Steward by the Commission last September 2012.
Staff is recommending Eric Toth as the Bailey Point Nature Preserve City Park Trail Steward. Eric has
done an exceptional job in leading and recruiting the volunteers for Baily Point Nature Preserve with
hundreds of hours already recorded this summer in cleaning up and marinating this beautiful new park.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• Safety Rules and Equipment Usage for Volunteers policy
PBBEBEB BY
NATURE
Safety Rules and Equipment Usage for Volunteers
Volunteers must follow all City of Elk River safety procedures and guidelines. Safety training for
volunteers will be will be provided by City department supervisors or his/her designee.
Designees may include volunteer City Park Trail Stewards.
For reasons of safety, security or legal considerations, some facilities and/or equipment are off
limits to volunteers. For this reason, City Department Supervisors or his/her designee may
approve or deny access for individual volunteers to enter specific City facilities.
Adult volunteers (at least 18 years of age) may operate (drive) non-licensed, motorized, self-
propelled maintenance equipment with permission of a Department Supervisor or his/her
designee. The City Department Supervisor or designee shall first perform an assessment that
the volunteer is responsible and qualified to operate the equipment. No one shall operate
(drive) any equipment without using appropriate personal safety equipment, and without first
receiving instruction as to its proper and safe operation. Volunteers shall inquire of the
Department Supervisor or his/her designee about the safety equipment appropriate for
operation of any equipment on which the volunteer has not had previous experience.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are not permitted to operate: motorized equipment; non-
licensed motorized, self-propelled maintenance equipment; chain saws; or anything else as to
which minors' operation is prohibited by law.
Some volunteers may occasionally be assigned and authorized to drive City of Elk River licensed
motor vehicles. If so, they shall first undergo a vehicle familiarization training session and
successfully complete a driver's license record check similar to that required of employees who
are authorized to drive licensed motor vehicles. All operators shall be familiar with and obey
the safety and operating instructions provided by City of Elk River staff and all traffic laws.