10 PRSR 10-07-2020 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: October 7, 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.
Women’s Volleyball
Women’s Volleyball was canceled for lack of teams for a league. The school district approved our
COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for use of the gyms so we will offer the winter league starting in January.
Promotions will begin in October.
Woodland Trails Nature Play Area
We have received several compliments regarding the Woodlands Trail nature playground. It is open for
play although not fully complete. The well has been delayed due to contractor schedules and parts delays.
We are considering a grand opening for the spring of 2021 since it could be several weeks before the
nature play area and park shelter are completed. The project will be completed before the grant expires
June 30, 2021.
Multipurpose Facility Events
We received positive feedback on the two large events a few weeks ago at the multipurpose facility. We
had our first event in the fieldhouse with nearly 150 people participating from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a
fundraiser for the high school girl's hockey boosters. Friday to Sunday we hosted the Midwest Exposure
Hockey Tournament with players participating from many states including California and Arizona.
We continue to provide tours of the facility every Wednesday through the month of October at 10 a.m.
No registration is required. The tours started September 16 and the attendance has risen with each tour.
We started with 12 people, then 15 people and most recently 20 people. If we get more than 20 people, we
will need to break the group into two tours.
Item: 10
Multipurpose Facility Naming Rights
The Naming Rights Committee for the multipurpose facility has been working for several months with
consultant Chris Potenza on naming rights opportunities. This includes naming the two rinks, the field
house, meeting rooms, the senior center, and the café. We are close to finalizing a deal on the naming of
the multipurpose facility itself.
Open Gym
After working with Molly at the YMCA, we decided to not offer Open Gym at this time. Social distancing
requirements make it very difficult to host such programming. We are considering family programming in
place of Open Gym such as gym/fitness for preschoolers and parents while their older school aged
siblings are at school.
WTRP Nature Play Area and Archery Range Naming Contest
This is on the city’s website:
Here’s your chance to leave your mark on this community! The City of Elk River Parks and Recreation Department is
accepting name submissions for the new archery range and nature play area at Woodland Trails Regional Park (20135 Elk
Lake Rd.). We’re asking residents to share their catchy, clever, and cool name ideas for each area before Monday, October
26. Please review the contest rules and selection process below before submitting your ideas through this Entry Form.
We have received eight submissions during the first two days of the contest.
Active Elk River - Orono Park Plans
The Orono Park Plans recommended by the Commission were presented to the City Council on
September 21. SRF is now working on design plans. SRF plans to present 90% construction documents at
a November Commission meeting. The City Council will review the documents in December before they
go out to bid early January of 2021.
Hillside Park Trail Improvements
Hillside Park mountain bike trail improvements were discussed at the September meeting. Staff will bring
this agenda item back for discussion at the November meeting. Staff is reviewing how improvements are
made by volunteers throughout our park system, so we want to return with a more global discussion of
how improvements are recommended and approved.
November Commission Meeting Date
The November regular Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be Wednesday, November 4. The
second Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day.