9.B.1. PRSR 08-11-1999 k) —"\ ITEM # 9.B.1.
\14 - MEMORANDUM
ft of .,/
lk TO: Park and Recreation Commission
River W
FROM: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning
DATE: August 4, 1999
SUBJECT: Lions Park/Arena Parking Solutions
Issue
During the school year, high school kids park at the Arena and in the Lions Park
parking area off of School Street due to inadequate parking at the High School. The
High School is in the process of reconstructing the parking lot to better control access
and reduce traffic conflicts between cars and busses. In 2000, they hope to expand
their parking area to the west by eliminating the ballfield adjacent to School Street.
The City continues to encourage the use of the High School lot by posting the
neighboring residential streets "No Parking". There is still a parking problem in the
south lot of the Arena (in front) and in the Lions Park parking lot.
• Solution
Staff proposes two different solutions, one for each site. The Arena Manager would like
to post the entire parking area in front of the Arena as "Arena Parking Only M-F from
7:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. Violators will be towed". This will ensure that these spaces will
be available for the recreational walkers and skating school attendees during school
hours. In the past, the Arena has allowed some high school parking in this lot, but the
students tend to use all of the parking spaces available, leaving none for the Arena
users. The parking area to the east of the new addition would be still be available for
parking by teachers or students if needed. As activities at the Arena increase, some of
the spaces in the east parking area would be limited to Arena functions only. This
parking policy would not adversely impact after school activites at the arena.
For the Lions Park parking area, staff proposes to sign the parking lot as "Two Hour
Parking Only M-F 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.". Most park users would not be at the park in
excess of two hours during the week, so park use should not be adversely affected.
The parking area off of Jackson Street would not have limited parking.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Park and Recreation Commission endorse the following
• parking policies:
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River, MN 55330 • TDD&Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
Memo to Park and Recreation Commission/Parking
August 11, 1999
Page 2
1. THE SOUTH (FRONT) ARENA PARKING LOT SHALL BE SIGNED: "ARENA
• PARKING ONLY M-F FROM 7:00 A.M TO 3:00 P.M. VIOLATORS WILL BE
TOWED".
2. THE LIONS PARK PARKING AREA OFF OF SCHOOL STREET SHALL BE
SIGNED: "2 HOUR PARKING ONLY M-F, 7:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M."
•