8.1. PRSR 02-12-2014 ii Item: 8
ElkMEMORANDUM
River
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: February 12, 2014
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.
Parks Maintenance Position
A job announcement for our new Parks Maintenance position recently approved by City Council
has been posted on national and state professional job sites. The position closes on Tuesday,
February 18.
Recreation Coordinator Position
Our new Recreation Coordinator Tim Dalton will be introduced to the Commission at the February
12 meeting.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan
A copy of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan survey is attached for you to review. It has been
reviewed and updated by the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Committee several times. It has
been sent to City Council in a weekly update and will be sent out to the general public by the end of
this month. Up to 2,500 surveys will need to be sent out with the correct questions to make the
attached survey statistically valid. Focus group sessions will be held in March.
Staff Development
A strong showing of WW IP, Streets,Park Maintenance and Recreation staff attended an in-house
training program called Whale Done. The course was developed by Ken Blanchard and focuses on
building trust, accentuating the positive and redirecting the negative when needed. The program
uses the analogy of how trainers at SeaWorld achieve better results with the killer whales with this
approach. Michael and Suzanne facilitated the training
Department Retreat
We had a department retreat with the entire department staff on February 6 to discuss department
values, mission and objectives for 2014. Our major objectives for 2014 are the following: 1. Parks
and Recitation Master Plan; 2. Arena/Activity Center Facilities Plan; 3. Promote/Engage our
citizens; 4. Houlton Property, 5. Renovate Orono Park and, 5. Pinewood Golf Course.
Bailey Point Nature Preserve Monitoring
The Minnesota Land Trust completed their annual monitoring of the Bailey Point Nature Preserve
this past fall. The have indicated the land continues to be used primarily for wildlife habitat and
low-impact recitation. A copy of their letter is attached.
Houlton Property
We have been notified that we were not awarded the Heritage Fund Legacy grant for the Houlton
Farm property. According to Steve Hobbs, our project was next on the list to be funded. In a
normal year,they have a full allocation of around$7.5M,which would have funded our request. If
one of the two large projects that they approved falls through,we would be next in line,but that is
highly unlikely. Steve is working with Friends of the Mississippi to find viable funding alternatives.
Steve will continue discussions with the Houlton family.
Riverfront Concert Series Schedule
Think of warm weather and green grass. The lineup for the 2014 Riverfront Concert Series is
complete. The conceit series will be a quality lineup of 10 consecutive Thursdays (except for July
3rd) beginning June 12. Five of the bands are brand new to Elk River recommended by residents
and a few are familiar bringing in excellent attendance.
Date Band Genre/Description
June 12 Rockin'Hollywoods Classic Rock and Roll
June 19 Six Appeal A Cappella Vocal Band NEW!
June 26 Arch Allies Tribute of Journey,Styx and REO
July 10 Socaholix Reggae/Caribbean NEW!
July 17 Shane Martin Modern Country Rock
July 24 Church of Cash Johnny Cash Tribute
July 31 Fabulous Armadillos Classic Rock 60's,70's &80's NEW!
August 7 Brooke Lynn Country NEW!
August 14 Pop Rocks Dance Party Rock Show NEW!
August 21 Hard Days Night Beatles 50th Anniversary Tribute
Elk River Parks and Recreation
COMMUNITY SURVEY
Please take a moment to fill out this survey and drop it in the mail by .No additional postage is necessary.Your input is
very important and will help guide park and recreation decisions.Thank you for your time,. .
1.How often do members of your household visit Elk River parks? 4.Are there reasons that your household does not use certain
Every day hi At least once per month ❑ Never Elk River Parks and Recreation programs and facilities?
�} I Inadequate transportation [I Facilities are too far from home
LJ At least once per week ❑ 1-11 nines per year
.,...,.,.. ..m............ ................. .... .......... ..... .. .._.,. C Too expensive ❑ Fa'.Ities and programs are not
2.In which activities have you or members of your household available
participated in during the past three(3)years?Please check all that apply ❑ Nt Interested nrurre,tefferent' I'❑ Not enough time to recreate
visiting nature Biathlon Organized
❑ Playgrounds ❑ ar ❑�� ❑ L Not aware they misted
pgtd°qr
❑ Picnicking ❑ Walking/Hiking Indoor court erogams
C sports lie re ❑ other reason
❑ Swimming ET Golf basketball, activities)
r o,ntn' Outdoor roue 5.What type❑ ,keg Ti— l r,e�naoo-lg Non nal ❑ of outdoor park or recreation facilities do you feel
G spurts lie voseetbail)sand are lacking in Elk River?Please check all that apply
E Hockey climbing/ aseball/Softball
or E B ❑ Natural areas ❑ RNer access
Llogging/ ❑ Birdwatcning (—t., Informal sports ❑ outdoor softball/ . Heids
L� Running L. liie playing baseball ❑i Picnic areas ❑ Interpretive/ n Splash Pad{water play)
Fishing catch, hlstork areas
❑ Mount i ❑ g p Bicycling/walk/rig trails
(�� frlbeegameD ❑ Orgaooresoccer, CI Cniidren'e play ❑ Park landscaping U Bicycbn
LJMountain ❑ °Fe golf football eaz
L biking
❑ Other ED ocer/football/ ❑ Skate park Ell Other
lacrosse fields
3.Which Elk River area park and recreation facilities do '° " ° •• °•' •....................m...... ...........
members of your household use?Pease check all that apply 6.In which additional indoor recreation activities or facilities
oak Rnoll Rental Fa=unv{Trop I❑ Rmereedge ❑HBleidecity would you and/or members of your household be interested?
Athletic Complex Brook Farms barn. Commons Park Fitnesscemer
Lions Park Center _ ❑Woodland ❑ Indoor play ❑ C Gymnaslum{basA{basketball,
1// ' Pinewood Golf equipment (egwpment&aereeD0 volleyball etc.)
❑Orono Athletic Park Orono aik inc Tails Park
Complex ❑park,Orono Parkins Elk o ❑ Teencenter ❑ Racquetball
Omit°.aM1 Indoor tenors
❑Youth Athletict� Elk Riverlw ❑ ntl/or Beach
Complex YAq IJ Activity Center 55yrst L_. Arena Skate park Auditorium r �
P ( ❑Orono Park ❑ par ❑ u Banquet facility
❑Boat Launch ❑Great Northern Trail ❑Dog Park Playground
(Orono/Babcocki School recreation [1 Pier ❑YMCA ❑ Climbing wall ❑ `�alking/running ❑ multi-Ewe fieldbouse
faalies
❑ Other:
El Other
PRESORTED
Elk River Parks and Recreation Department STANDARD US
gtOri 13065 Orono Parkway
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Elk River MN 55330 PERMIT
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7.Overall,how satisfied are you with the following elements of 11.According to the
the Elk River park and recreation system and what priority does map to the right in
the element hold for your household in the future? which half of the city
Current Rating Priority for Future do you reside?
Satisfied Unsatisfied High Priority tow Priority e ,1' "?) t
Trails(walking and bicycling) ❑ ❑ ❑ E ` . NOR H r_j
Indoor recreation m
d tion facilities(gynaiums, >r r" ) a
swimming,' fitness equipment) ❑ ❑
El ❑ N00.des Woodland �� /
Athletic C (Oak Knoll,Orono f-1 r� ❑ I—i Trails Park,Alba ) 4 s l�
Athletic Complex,Youth Athletic Complex) -1 L.1 L� Ridge Park,Burr Oak pw[ r-5t
Park,Windsor Park ®.y -
.may
Active Parks (picnic, turalatemz,etc) n ❑ ❑ ❑ 1-a-- .,, ,�T. I e/ r-ks.- --- I-
soccer,Passive parks(Iicnic,natural areas,green - a I
spaces,etc) ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ` P � ' ate® SOU H�l '14
Pinewood Golf Course fI SOUTH
l — ,..
❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ Includes city
center Orono
Recreation programs-Ages under 6 Li ❑ !—I I—' < --1 1 �ds
LJ I—I I_I Lake,Meadowvale ati
Recreation programs-Ages 6.12 ❑ D 0 0 Heights Park,
LJ L-1 L_I Hillside City Park,
Recreation programs-Ages 13-18 ❑ 0 0 0 Tmttbrook farms `Cm 'N ■
LJ LJ LJ Park
i
Recreation pprograms ograms-Ages 19 50 O _L.. I'❑ Li _..._ c`
Recreation -A g es 55+ �J f ❑ E ^k
Park Maintenance ❑ El E IT
Special events(music and dance ❑ ❑ E ❑
performances,festivals,concerts,etc.) l-1
12.We would like your opinion on several issues facing the Elk
commpnications(recreannn brochures, ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ River Parks and Recreation Department Please read each statement and
website,park and trail maps,etc.)
mark the response that best represents your opinion.
............ .........»»__............._.....__............_.._.......__ ......— . .....—
a.Elk River Parks and Recreation should concentrate on improving existing facilities.
8.Which of the following improvements/additions to the
Elk River park and recreation system would you be willing to ❑ Stro ngly El Agree ❑ Not sure ❑ Disagree ❑ Strongly
support?lie.through a bond referendum-temporary property tax increase) agree disagree
PP g pprary annua grope v
Great Marginal No { b.Elk River should continue to acquire key lands for future park,recreation,and natural resource
Support Support Support needs.
❑ n 111 Blking/Walking trails-add to and extend them ❑ trongly ❑ Agree ❑ Not sure ❑ Disagree El Strongly
agree disagree
Ci •J (a❑ Athletic s Complexes-make improvements to existing c.Elk River Parks and Recreation should continue to expand public access to the river front.
❑ ❑I ❑ Community Athletic Fa cilities-Acquire land ❑ Strongly ❑ Agree ❑ Not sure ❑ Disagree ❑ strongly
agree disagree
❑i ❑ ❑ Community Passive Parks-Acquire land
d.I am satisfied with the recreation services and facilities that I receive for my tax dollar.
❑ 7 ❑ Skateboarding/Climbing-Include more nontraditional
recreation I❑ strongly ❑ Agree ❑ Not sure ❑ Disagree ❑ Strongly
_. _ _ ._... agree _.._. _.. _._.. _._. disagree._...
❑I ❑ ❑ Ateen center
❑ ❑ ❑ An expanded senior activity center 13.Please list any other park and recreation improvements or
additions you would like to see in Elk River or any comments
❑ ❑I ❑ Multi-use eeldhouse you have related to parks and recreation in Elk River.
❑ ❑ ❑ A splash pad/spray park(water play area)
❑ ❑ ❑ A nature center
9.What is your age?
❑ Under 20 ❑ 21.40 ❑ 41-SS ❑'! Over ss
i'
10.How many people in the following age categories live in your
household?Please fill in the number of people in each age category,including yourself i
— 0.5 years _ 6-11 years — 12-19 years — 20-29 years
30-39 years You can also send additional comments tot Communit95urvey @ElkRiverMN.gov
years 40-49 years 50-64 years 65+
Thank you for you-assistance.Please fold with the address facing out tape along the top..and drop the questionnaire In the mall.
Please visit www.E.IidliverMN.gov to follow the Parks and Recreation Master Plan process and participate in future community input events!
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MINNESOTA LAND TRUST
December 19,2013
Michael Hecker
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Elk River
13065 Orono Parkway •
Elk River, MN 55330 •
Re: Mississippi River(Babcock)
Sherburne County
Project File ID #: 2012-441
Dear Mr. Hecker,
The Minnesota Land Trust recently completed the annual monitoring of your
property in Sherburne County.
Edward J. Gordon, a certified Minnesota Land Trust volunteer monitor, visited
your property on September 27th,2013. Following the monitoring visit,he noted that the
land continues to be used primarily for wildlife habitat and low-impact recreation. He
also noted that there did not appear to be any changes over the past year that would affect
the conservation values of your land.
If you have any questions or concerns about this monitoring visit or about the
conservation easement protecting your land,please don't hesitate to give me or any other
member of the Land Trust staff a call.
The Minnesota Land Trust has now completed 458 projects protecting 42,587
acres of land. Thank you for your help in preserving a part of Minnesota's unique and
beautiful landscape.
Sincerely,
Li(
Anne K. Murphy
Conservation Stewardship Director
amurphy @mnland.org
(651) 647-9590
2356 University Avenue West I Suite 240 I St, Paul, Minnesota 55114
www.mnland.org I 651-647-9590 I Toll Free: 1-877-MLT-LAND
25%cotton bond I 50%recycle 130%post-consumer waste