10 PRSR 01-13-2021 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: January 13, 2021
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.
Active Elk River - Orono Park Plans
The Orono Park construction and bid documents were presented to City Council on December 21, 2020.
We expect the bidding documents will be go out to bid in the next month.
Active Elk River - Trails
Staff reviewed the recommended Active Elk River trail additions and is preparing a grant submittal for the
Twin Lakes Road and CR 40 trail (to Twin Lakes Elementary) to use Active Elk River proceeds as the
necessary local match. The Line Avenue portion of the recommended trail would be as part of the
disconnection of Line Avenue when the Hwy 169 project. The Woodland Trails Regional Park entrance
trail will be combined with the park’s planned 2021 parking lot paving. The Meadowvale and Upland
Road trail is included in the project that the county is proposing in 2024.
Trails Maintenance
On November 4, Commissioners and staff reviewed a video of popular trail segments and discussed the
need for a systemic replacement ratings system to prioritize replacement. Many stated you would like to
have funding for trails maintenance. Engineering staff has mapped all segments and assigned them a
rating – similar to the street ratings program. Council will review and discuss the ratings and system in
the coming month. Staff is now working up some scenarios for the Council to consider.
Furniture and Things Reopening
With the latest Governor’s executive order (#20-103), the Furniture and Things Community Event
Center has reopened for ice, turf, and walking activities on Monday after being closed for six weeks.
Item: 10
All activities have strict capacity limits and safety practices to remain in compliance.
Multipurpose Facility Naming Rights and Catering Services Management Agreement
The Furniture and Things Community Event Center exterior building logo will likely be installed
within the next six weeks. The logo was placed on the rinks. On January 4, Council approved an
agreement with Serrano Brother Catering as our latest facility partner. The Serrano Brothers Café will
provide a broad range of concession options for visitors and be our exclusive caterer. This agreement is
for seven years with a management fee structure of $5,000 in year one, $10,000 in year two, and $15,000
for years three trough seven. The city will also receive 12% of concession net revenue and 6.5% of
catering sales in the facility.
Hillside Park Improvements
Michael and Tim Sevcik met with Hillside Park Steward and MORC Representative Graydon Betts on
December 3 to discuss 2021 improvement plans for the mountain bike trails. We are looking to
improve trails maintenance and potential new features built by MORC volunteers. Graydon will submit
the Hillside Project Proposal Form that describes the proposed rails features before the work begins.
Woodland Trails Regional Park
We have had some busy days during the recent holidays at Woodland Trails Regional Park with a lot of
families and folks anxious to get out and play in the snow. Dave Anderson reported most of the ski and
winter walking trails are in very good shape, though there are some windblown spots. The volunteer
groomers put in a lot of time with a crew out the evening of the 23rd, the morning of the 24th, during
the day on the 25th, the evening of the 25, the morning of the 27th, and after the snow this week. The
two new trail sections are both getting very favorable reviews.
Outdoor Ice Rinks
Staff was able to get the two rinks at Handke open before January 1. The first weekend of the new year
witnessed hundreds of ice skaters on the Handke rinks. Staff is working on the Spectrum rink which has
been challenging as the ice does not survive the warmer temps and the sun angles at this rink location.
Unfortunately, it is virtually back to bare ground and the edges around the boards have lost any frost they
had a few weeks ago. Without colder weather, we cannot build ice there and the 7-day forecast showing
temps around freezing will continue to present a challenge.
The warming house at both locations will stay closed during the winter season due to the Governor’s
Executive Orders and the challenges with social distancing.
Woodland Trails Naming Contest
City Council approved the Woodland Trails Regional Park amenity names. Glacier Ridge Nature Play
Area for the nature playground and Woodlands Archery Range. The winning submission will be invited
to a ribbon cutting grand opening of the amenities this Spring of 2021.