01-09-19 WTRGC MinutesMeeting of the Woodland Trails Regional
Park Grant Committee
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Wednesday, January 9, 2019
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commission members, Niziolek, Rathbun, Sarah Fischer,
Hal Stewart, Ron Nierenhausen, Jill Varty, Lynda Bouley, and Darlene
Nickols,
Members Absent: Julie Kallemeyn, and Zachary Varty
WSB & Associates Candace Amberg and Eva Kelly
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director, Michael Hecker, Recreation Manager Steve
Benoit, Parks Superintendent Tim Sevcik, and Recreation Coordinator Tonya
Love
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Parks and Recreation
Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
2. Preferred Concept Plans
Ms. Amberg reviewed each of the two updated concept plans with the committee, and also
sharing the pros and cons of each plan.
3. Discussion
Chair Anderson shared the committees’ idea for location of the Nature Center and play area
is on the west side of parking lot and large shelter on northwest side of parking lot, using the
Southwest of the parking lot to enter a trail going north to proposed area.
Mr. Nierenhausen asked how the new location would affect the grant which had the
Woodland Trails Regional Park Master plan submitted with it.
Chair Anderson stated that the committee would like to ask the grant committee if the
location can be changed from what was submitted in the master plan and still keep grant.
Mr. Sevcik stated that moving the shelter is to make it more accessible than what was in the
park master plan.
Chair Anderson stated that the committee would like to make sure that the location chosen
for the Nature Center and play area are correct and will take the time to do it right.
Committee discussed the idea of having Nature Center on northwest corner of parking lot.
Chair Anderson stated that if grant were to go away due to the change in location than the
committee will recommend building on the east side, however if it is doable then committee
would like to the west side as their first choice.
Discussion of the committee duties and that choosing a site location was not one of them.
Council member Wagner asked if the DNR can be contacted and asked if location can be
adjusted and if we would lose the grant if there was a change from the Master Plan that had
been submitted. Ms. Wagner questioned if we can make the call as it seems to be a
reasonable request to call and find out if DNR will allow moving the location.
Mr. Hecker stated call hadn’t been made because it is not part of the committees’ duties to
choose a site locate for the building as it was based on the parks master plan that was
submitted, also stating he can call them the next day.
4. Preferred playground elements
Committee members marked the elements on the large boards WSB brought.
There being no further business Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting of the Woodland
Trails Regional Park Grant Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m.