8.b. PRSR 11-18-1998 ,,(,r --\(
Item# 8-b-
y of /FAk River MEMORANDUM
TO: Park and Recreation Commission
FROM: Stephen Wensman, Planner
DATE: November 4, 1998
SUBJECT: Bike Park Update (Hillside City Park)
BMX Update
Jeff Asfahl and I, met with Sheryl Kraft on October 16th at St. Michael's BMX
track to gather more information about BMX tracks and the opperation. Jeff
and I assembled our observations and presented them Margo Foster of the
BMX group in Elk River. Some of our concerns include:
• Water, electricity, phone and garbage and restroom service
• Parking and Other Site Requirements (5 acres site w/1.5 acre of
parking)
• • Security/Visibility
• Erosion/Aesthetics
The BMX group will likely be making a presentation to the Park and
Recreation Commission sometime next year.
Mountain Bike Trails Update
On Saturday, October 24th, a trail crew consisting of; Gary Sjoquist
representing IMBA and Quality Bicycle Products; the Boy Scouts and
parents, led by Nick Peterson; mountain bike enthusiasts and myself
removed brush to create a little over 1 mile of mountain bike trails that wind
through the woods south of the powerline corridor in Hillside City Park. The
clearing was planned for two days, however, due to the nice day and great
turnout, most of the work was accomplished on Saturday with only a few Boy
Scouts returning on Sunday.
The following issues still need to be addressed:
Maintenance
•
Elk River/sys/shrdoc/planning/stevewen/parkmmo/trlupdt
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River,MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
• The trails are ready for trail riders, however some minimal trail work
will be needed in the near future to minimize erosion. The mountain bike
group expressed great enthusiasm for the trails and appear willing to
assist with more trail work and maintenance. A decision as to who
maintains the trails and the process should be made clear (Who are the
contact people etc.).
Signs
Presently, there are no signs regarding bike safety, park rules, park
boundaries and there are no trail markers. It may be appropriate to
place a sign at the park entrance with park rules, safety information and
general location of the trails to welcome all residence to use the facilities.
The trails are designed to be one-way trails and a decision whether or not
to mark them as such should be made.
Parking
Presently, there is no place to park at the site except in front of the
entrance gate or on County Road 12. The gate cannot be blocked by cars
as the site is still used for dumping and handling of materials by the city.
To prevent cars from parking there, the gate should be signed no parking
and some consideration for parking should be made. Parking on the
County Road 12 creates a safety problem and should be discouraged.
•
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