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To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Date: October 14,2015
Subject: Director's Report
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to collaboration, strategic
planning, staff changes/development,and park operations.
New Park Maintenance Superintendent
Our new Park Maintenance Superintendent,Tim Sevcik,will begin his first day on Monday, October
12, 2015. He wil be introduced to the Commission at the October 14 meeting.
National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference and National Awards
I was able to spend a few days with Dave Anderson at the NRPA national conference in Las Vegas.
We were able to walk through the exhibit hall and then the highlight of the conference was when
Dave received his award at the NRPA Best of the Best ceremony. Dave was also recognized soon
after the conference at the September 21 City Council meeting by Congressman Tom Emmer.
Rivers Edge Commons Park Phase One
The Rivers Edge Commons Park Phase One project with cost estimates will be presented to City
Council on November 2. It was originally stated in my September report that it was the October 19
City Council meeting.
Park Dedication
As was directed at the June 15, 2015 City Council meeting,HKGi has been working with city staff
on potential approaches for the determination of park dedication. Discussion and possible
recommendations for Park Dedication,including City Code revisions,will be made in a presentation
to City Council at the October 19 work session.
November Commission Meeting
The November Parks and Recreation Commission meeting scheduled for November 11 has been
moved to Tuesday,November 17. This is because November 11 is a city holiday—Veterans'Day.
Because this is a date change, the Commison meeting will become a Special Meeting,which means
items cannot be added to the agenda at the meeting. We are planning to showcase the Eagle Scout
projects in our parks during the past year at the November 17 Commission Special Meeting.
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Regional Park Designation for Woodland Trails Park
An application to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) for
Woodland Trails Park to be designated a Regionally Significant Park was reviewed and given a
"high"ranking. However, a Master Plan for Woodland Trails needs to be completed in early 2016
for the Park to become eligible and part of the designated regional system defined by the GMRPTC.
Achieving regional designation shows that the park meets a very high standard for natural-resource
based outdoor recreation and is part of a regional system across greater Minnesota. This is also the
requirement to make Woodland Trails Park eligible for Regional Parks Legacy funding with an
estimated$8 million annually available for parks that have regional park status.
Funding can be used for improvements outlined in the Master Plan on page 49, such as a building
for environmental education,maintenance and storage, a restroom building,and improved
wayfinding including new signage and kiosks. Trail improvements would be another priority.
While a Parks and Recreation Department system-wide adopted Master Plan was recently
completed, a`Master Plan'as defined by the GMRPTC for a regional park requires certain items not
addressed in the adopted Master Plan such as an ecological/land resources plan, a sustainability plan
and a park management plan. The cost for a Woodland Trails Master Plan is estimated by the
GMRPTC in the range of$15,000 - $20,000 for a consultant to complete. We are recommending
$23,000 in the Park Improvement Fund for 2016.
Recreation Facilities Study RFP
The Recreation Facilities Study Plan RFP is nearly completed.
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