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8.1 PRSR 05-13-2020 The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To Parks and Recreation Commission Item Number 8.1 Agenda Section Discussion Meeting Date May 13, 2020 Prepared by Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director Item Description WTRP Great Northern Trail – Watson Street Parking Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Discussion. Background/Discussion Watson Street resident Daryl Thompson contacted me with a request to close the Watson street entrance to the WTRP Great Northern Trail (GNT). I asked him to send me his concerns and request via email attached. Daryl feels that there is too much traffic on Watson Street and the number of visitors using the street to park and access WTRP has dramatically increased. Staff and police have observed a substantial increase in the usage of WTRP during the COVID-19 pandemic. The subject of Watson Street Parking to access Woodlands has come before the Commission several times. The most recent discussion was October 17, 2017 when two residents of Watson Street appeared before the Commission to request a parking lot to take cars off Watson. Staff reviewed the request and recommended to the Commission on November 8, 2017 the public use the current city streets for parking. The Commission recommended no parking lots in this area and to keep parking on the street. While a parking lot is planned for the GNT 221st Avenue area this summer, the city has no plans for a parking lot at Highway 33/Watson Street area. The Watson Street access point from a public safety standpoint is vital to gain access to the GNT for emergency vehicles. Financial Impact N/A Attachments  Daryl Thompson Email Request  Commission November 8, 2017 Staff Report, Minutes and Attachments (4)  Current Aerial Layout  Police Log Watson Street 2019 through April 2020 The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity Request for Action To Parks & Recreation Commission Item Number 6.1 Agenda Section Discussion Meeting Date November 8, 2017 Prepared by Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director Item Description Great Northern Trail (GNT) – Watson Street Parking Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested Discussion Background/Discussion At the October 17 Commission Meeting Open Forum, two Elk River residents requested to consider building a parking lot for the Watson Street area to access the Great Northern Trail (GNT). An area they want the city to consider is south east of the current Woodland Trails park sign. The residents believe there should be a parking area for Woodland Trails Park off of County Road 33 and that cars should not be parking on Watson Street. The stated some of the cars have been parked for several hours on Watson Avenue with people sitting in them. They also stated it is hard to maneuver between all the cars parked on both sides of the street and they block visibility. Staff does not believe that the county would allow access to Woodland Trails Park from County Road 33 and as for the parking on Watson; the public can legally park on any city streets unless otherwise posted. This was a discussion item at the Regular Commission Meeting on September 11, 2013, and the Commission recommended the city not consider a parking lot and that the public use the current city streets for parking. Financial Impact Staff reviewed a potential parking area south east of the current park sign and found it to be cost prohibitive considering the elevations and wetland designations. The cost to construct a paved 12-vehicle even leveled parking lot with the required curb and gutter is estimated at over $48,000. Attachments  Three Aerial views of GNT at Watson and County Road 33.