6.6. SR 08-01-2005
Item 6.6.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Bill Maertz, Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE: August I, 2005
SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Staff Update
DNR Land Acquisition Grant Award
In 2004, staff applied for three grants to help with the purchase of 80 acres of land
adjacent to Woodland Trails Park. The land is owned by Tiller Corporation, but the city
has an agreement that allows us to use portions of the land for recreation. The Parks and
Recreation Commission have made acquisition and preservation of this property a high
priority. The Natural Resources Inventory, completed in 2005, identifies this parcel as
one of the highest quality woodlands remaining in Elk River.
The land is valued at 1.7 million dollars. Staff applied for $400,000 Natural and Scenic
Areas Grant, $300,000 Greenways Grant and a $500,000 Remediation Grant. On July 14
we were notified that we have been awarded the $400,000 Natural and Scenic Areas
Grant. One week later staff was notified that Elk Rivers other two grant applications were
highly ranked, and had a high potential for award. The total potential award is $1.2
million. This would require a City match of $500,000 from park dedication funds. The
City's share would be less then 30 percent of the total purchase price.
DNR Conservation Partners Grant Award
Elk River has applied for, and been awarded, a Conservation Partners Grant by the DNR.
This $6,000 grant is for restoration of 6.3 acres of prairie and woodland in Highlands
East Park (Hillside Estates Subdivision)
Woodland Trails and Ditch 31
In 2004, ditch 31 repairs resulted in the draining of a DNR protected wetland in
Woodland Trails Park. Regulations require the city to restore the wetland or to replace it
elsewhere. After examining many options, staff has concluded that the best way to restore
the wetland is to install a sanitary grade, drainpipe in the ditch adjacent to the wetland.
This will allow the ditch to function, without draining the wetland.
Staff will be seeking authorization from the county board, in August, to modify the ditch.
If authorization is obtained, cost estimates will be prepared and plans will be brought to
the City Council for consideration. This project is eligible to be funded through the
Surface Water Management Fund.
2005 Parks capital Improvement Projects
. Kliever Point Park - Playground and swings were installed on July 27, that night
there were over 75 children playing on the finished structure. Final grading and
paving will be finished in the next two weeks
. Youth Athletic Complex Soccer/Football Field is graded, parking expanded,
lights installed. Seeding will take place in the next two weeks.
. Youth Athletic Complex Baseball Field- Picnic Shelter and new batting cage
installed
. Lions Park - New Picnic shelter installed adjacent to skate park.
. Troutbrook - tennis Courts, parking lot for the barn and trails are under
construction now. Picnic shelter is being installed this week.
. Windsor Park - Picnic shelter being installed this week, Climbing Rock has been
delivered
. West Oaks - Playground has been delivered and will be installed this week.
Recreation Programs
. Crunch Time - Childrens activity program at the Trout Brook barn has been
averaging 15 kids a day.
. Lions Den and Outings based in Lions Park Center - 22 field trips this summer
including a canoe/fishing trip on Lake Orono, trip to Sherburne County Wildlife
Refuge and a hayride and cookout at Bunker Stables.
. Entertainment in the Park - Every Friday from June through August the Lions
Park band shell hosts entertainment in the park. Assisted by a donation from the
Lions Club, acts such as the zoo mobile, raptor center, and underwater adventure
put on performances each Thursday morning at 10:30.
. The fall program guide (attached) highlights Park and Recreations senior outings,
which include trips to New York and Washington D.C.
Attachments:
. DNR Grant Award Letter
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-40_
July 14, 2005
Mr. Bill Maertz
Parks Director, City of Elk River
1104 Lions Park Drive
Elk River, MN 55330
RE: FY 2005 Natural and Scenic Grant Program
City of Elk River, Top of the World
Grant Award: $400,000
Dear Mr. Maertz:
I am pleased to inform you that your application has been recommended for funding
at the amount shown above. Funding for this program is funded through the federal
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LAWCON), and from appropriations by the
State Legislature from Capital Bonding and the Environmental and Natural
Resources Trust Fund upon recommend?ltion of the Legislative Commission on
Minnesota Resources. We anticipate' being able,Jo offer you a grant for the amount
shown above contingent upon the final processi.ng of your application.
DO NOT incur any project costs. This notice does not constitute final approval of
your project. Any work completed, money spent, or obligations incurred for
acquisition or development of your project prior to final approval are ineligible and
cannot be paid for with grant funds or used as the local share.
The Local Grants Program staff are looking forward to working with you on this
project. You will be contacted shortly by a staff member from the Local Grants
Program regarding the final processing requirements for your application.
If you have any questions, call me at (651) 296-1567. Congratulations.
Sincerely,
2:/~ 'J#. ~
Wayne Sames, Supervisor
Local Grants Program
DNR Information: 651-296-6157 · 1-888-646-6367 · TrY: 651-296-5484 · 1-800-657-3929
An Equal Opportunity Employer
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