10 PRSR 08-12-2020 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: August 12, 2020
Subject: Director’s Report
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic
planning, staff changes/developments, and park operations.
Multipurpose Facility Employees
City Council approved the position descriptions for needed positions at the multi-purpose facility.
New positions have been created and current positions have been revised to accommodate the
staffing needs of the multi-purpose facility. Tim Dalton is now officially the Multipurpose Facility
Superintendent and no longer working in the Recreation Division. Megan Leeseberg is now the
Assistant Facility Supervisor. She was working for the department as a seasonal employee. These
changes are effective August 4, 2020. Staff moved into their new offices the end of July. The Senior
Center Supervisor office should be completed by the end of this month.
The Tuesday adult softball program previously supervised by Tim Dalton has become the responsibility of
a seasonal employee under Tim’s supervision.
Multipurpose Facility Fees, Staffing and Advisory Commission
The new Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission has met four times since July 7 to discuss staffing,
fees, mission, and budgets.
Hillside Park
We have received a lot of feedback regarding the mountain bike trails at Hillside Park. A few have
expressed concerns about a new feature MORC volunteers added because of its degree of difficulty and
impact on other trails. We continue to get positive feedback about the overall quality of the trails. We have
had an increase in the numbers who want to volunteer in the park because of the positive direction the
new trails have taken. Thanks to the efforts of MORC this past week, we now have three new trained and
involved trail volunteers. MORC plans to have a public trail workday every Monday through August.
Item: 10
WTRP Nature Play Area and Archery Range Names
The archery range is now completed and opened July 31. The nature play area construction work is nearly
completed by the contractor. A name suggested for the archery range is Aspen Ridge Archery Range since it
is on a ridge surrounded by Aspen trees. Two names suggested for the play area have been Glacial Moraine
Nature Play Area or Big Blue Stem Nature Play Area. Is the Commission interested to bring naming of the
facilities back for discussion in September?
Construction on the WTRP Pavilion started on August 4. This should be completed by mid-August.
Community Concerts at Rivers Edge Commons
We are marketing the four concerts as the “Community Concerts at Rivers Edge Commons” July 30 to
August 20. Elk River Residents only can reserve seats online beginning at 6 p.m. the Sunday before each
concert. Details are on the city website including a map for each zone to reserve.
120 residents registered for the first concert and 95 showed up. There was no waitlist with 160 maximum
capacity. Staff developed a COVID-19 Operations plan for the Concert Series attached.
Skate Park
The skate park committee and the public met with park designer Spohn Ranch and SRF via Zoom
Thursday August 6 to discuss the new design which has a new footprint and shape. It moved from its
original location because of the recent Hwy 10 stormwater pond. This is part of the Orono Park design
process. This was promoted through social media and the city’s website.