6.0. PRSR 12-13-1995 •
12/5/95
To: Elk River Park Commission
Fr: Jeff Asfahl
Re: General Update
The following information outlines current and upcoming activities from the Community Recreation
office. You will also find attached my October/ November staff report to the Recreation Board that
also outlines current and ongoing activities, etc.
-Youth Association Co-op: Have been invited and expected to be at the 12/13 Park Commission
meeting to provide input to the pending field development. I have also worked with them to organize
their programs registration to all take place at the same times and locations. (this was done last year
as well ). This information will be advertised in the Winter Brochure which is scheduled for delivery on
• Dec. 27th.
- Ice Rinks/warming houses: Supervision is being hired, scheduled, trained, etc. Phil and crew will
be flooding and helping with various maintenance needs.. Target open date is Dec. 16th. ( weather
permitting ).
- Youth Needs: (Attached you will find some data that was also shared with the Mayor recently) As a
result of that meeting, I have been asked by Mayor Hank Duitsman to work with The Community
Youth Task Force ( Rita Johnson) and Pam Black (ateen program specialist from CE) to refine some
of these ideas and compare them to the information that the CYTF has gathered (numerous surveys,
etc.) and propose how to best deliver/offer that activity/ program, etc.
- Winter Programming: The following activities will be available this winter from the Community
Recreation office.Adult basketball league, women's volleyball, men's volleyball, youth gymnastics,
youth volleyball, (offering for boys as well for the first time ), open gyms, open weight room, special
non-school day opportunities, skating lessons, pillow polio ( modified floor hockey), "Start Smart" (a
new program designed for youth and parents to participate together and learn healthy behaviors
related to participation in youth athletics), Sr. and Jr. High intramural basketball, cheerleading
clinics, youth bowling, indoor walking.
Please feel free to call me at 241-3523 with any questions. I would appreciate hearing from you with
any suggestions for activities that you would like to see offered.
•
11/14/95
POSSIBLE IDEAS TO PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS:
- Special events exclusively for teens, such as: "Gym Nights" for teens with a multitude of activities
(Investment in video/arcade equipment would enhance a typical open gym. )
- Expand options for teens that run concurrently with existing teen age programs . (intramural
basketball is an existing popular program that involves approx 170 youth, if other non-athletic type
opportunities existed concurrently attendance may be quite good.
- Day camps for teens with a variety of activities
- Partner with local movie theatres and provide youth nights with reduced cost of admittance
- Partner with Police personnel and related programs associated with them
- Provide intergenerational contact
- "Walk-in" theatre at the Handke stadium
- Outdoor recreation opportunities , Consisting of : in- line skating, in-line hockey ( Lions Park ? )
with related cycling and board ramps, batting cages, splat ball. You could also program at that site
and develop opportunities as the client base increases. Options might include: Camping and fishing
skills with a trip, occasional live entertainment ( music), the participants could organize and put on
exhibitions of their boarding ramp skills
- Ropes challenge course (this might be of interest to the business community as well for team work,
confidence builders, etc. )
- Equipment rentals: canoes, cross country skiis, rollerblades, ice skates, mountain bikes
- Down Hill Skiing outings: Currently the schools administer these clubs and to date I have not
competed with them. Cost can be a factor. Money to subsidize partial cost may bolster participation.
• ** Transportation is an issue. If we are looking across the community for support with initiatives for
p 9 tY pp
youth, perhaps the service clubs, etc. could provide monetary support towards a bus shuttle service
in conjunction with activities.
* It may be wise for us to visit with some of the DARE officers to put us in touch with the youth that
they are familiar with and what types of activities interest them.
I am excited to be a part of this challenge aimed at better serving our youth! I believe that the
Community Recreation office can make a difference!
•