9.2. SR 04-18-2016 EGty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 9.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Work Session April 18,2016 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Hillside City Park Plan Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discussion.
Background/Discussion
Since Hillside Park Steward Sue Seeger announced her resignation at the March 9, 2016, Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting, staff and the Commission have been working on a plan for the park.
Hillside Park has primarily been a mountain bike park for over 16 years.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hecker will begin the work session with a presentation on
mountain biking and new opportunities for Hillside. The Parks and Recreation Commission had a work
session on April 13, 2016, to discuss Hillside. They discussed the park and the importance of keeping
mountain biking in Elk River. The following are the Commission recommendations:
■ Keep Hillside Park a mountain bike park with multi-use interests (running,biking,walking)
■ The trails need to become sustainable*
■ The original character and challenges of Hillside need to be kept,if sustainable
■ The city needs to partner with MORC (Minnesota Off-Road Cycling)
■ The maintenance effort needs to be kept with volunteers (MORC provides volunteer training)
■ The forest needs to be managed (close sections 2 and 3 this winter)
■ The $30,000 budgeted for Hillside Park Improvements should be reallocated to trail construction
■ The city should stop taking fees for the use of Hillside Park (as per MORC philosophy)
* Sustainable trail protects the environment,meets the needs of its users,requires little
maintenance and minimizes conflict between skill levels.
The MORC Executive Director,Matt Andrews and MORC Board Member Jay Thompson will attend the
work session to answer any questions.
Financial Impact
The technical and maintenance assistance provided by MORC will save the city money over the long
term.
Attachments
■ Hillside City Park Trail Map
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1—„� + ,n�"�►. ”-- �t -�+�' See 2 = 1.2 Miles
County Road 12 Sec 3 = 1.8 Miles
Sec 4 = 2.6 Miles
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