6.4. SR 10-18-2004
Item 6.4.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: October 13, 2004
SUBJECT: Park and Recreation Update
Park Development
Prioritizing for 2005 park projects has begun. Staff has submitted a list of projects with
an estimated total cost of $707,000. The Park and Recreation Commission will be
holding a workshop to evaluate and prioritize these projects.
Highlands West Park: Substantial progress has been made towards the completion of this
Neighborhood park.
. Benches have been installed
. Basketball court has been sealed and striped
. Drainage problem has been resolved
. Additional trees have been planted
. Turf has been established and a fall dormant seeding done
Lions Park: Landscaping near the entrance and plaza of Lions Park Center is complete.
Staff is meeting with a representative of Tiller Corporation to discuss potential land
acquisition. The DNR has grant money available for Sherburne County and the land
adjacent to Top of the World Park is in their target area.
Park Proiects
Staff is proposing to add an additional hockey rink at Handke Stadium. This rink would
have backstops that would allow youth hockey teams to use it for outdoor practices.
Five new gates were installed along Great Northern Trail in Top ofthe World Park.
These gates have a pedestrian pass-through but prevent motorized vehicles from entering.
Park Policv
None
Recreation
Hot Topic(s) of the Month
Our fIrst month with internet registration is complete and it has gone very well. We will no
longer continue to accept registrations over the phone since registration is so easy now.
Many other cities do not accept phone registrations either. This will allow our clerical staff
to focus on other customer service responsibilities more.
September Programs
We had the following programs running:
U Pass, Mini U Pass, Parent and Tot Tumbling, Preschool Tumbling, Parent and Tot Open
Playtime, Eager Elks Tumbling, Eager Elks Soccer, Eager Elks Basketball, Parent's Night
Out, Red Cross Babysitting, Girl Power, Cheer America, Young American Self Defense,
Women's Volleyball, Skating Academy, and Firearms Safety.
Facility Use
We reserved 522 hours of facility use. 123 hours of this took place at Lions Park. 4.5 hours
was at the Barn. .224.5 was fIeld use. The remaining 170 hours was for miscellaneous
shelter, park and street use.
Wellness Committee
We hosted a natural health care session in September and had 23 employees attend. It was a
fun session where we discussed a variety of complimentary therapies available and some fun
ways to balance your life.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: October 13,2004
SUBJECT: Use of Tobacco Products at City of Elk River Outdoor Facilities
Background: The City of Elk River believes that tobacco use in the proximity of children
and adults engaging or watching youth sports at City of Elk River owned or operated
facilities is detrimental to their health. Additionally, cigarettes once consumed in public
spaces are often discarded on the ground, thus posing a risk to toddlers due to ingestion
as well as unsanitary litter.
Tobacco Use: Is defined as any tobacco product, which is smoked, chewed, snuffed or
otherwise inhaled or ingested.
Policy:
Tobacco use is prohibited at and within 50 feet of outdoor recreational facilities owned
by the City of Elk River as defined below:
. All outdoor youth recreational facilities not limited to but including playgrounds
and skate parks at all times.
. All other outdoor recreational facilities when youth activities are currently taking
place.
Policy Enforcement Plan:
1. Appropriate signs will be posted at all facilities.
2. The community will be notified about this policy.
3. Emphasis will be on voluntary compliance.
4. Persons violating this policy will be asked to refrain from using tobacco products,
if they fail to do so they will be asked to leave the facility for the remainder of the
event.