9 PRSR 09-08-2021 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: September 8, 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.
Furniture and Things Community Event Center Open House
The Furniture and Things Community Event Center Open House is scheduled for Saturday, September
11, 2021 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Active Elk River - Orono Park & YAC
The Orono Skate Park is about 75% complete. The skate park should be done by the end of
September. Work on the parking lot and curbing will continue through September, so we will need to
fence off the skate park from potential users. The restroom/pavilion building was installed last week,
and we are now waiting on the MN state plumbing permit. The building construction for the splash pad
equipment room should start later this week. Completion date is the end of October, but this is now
dependent on the plumbing permit.
YAC fields 1-4 will be closed for the Fall during construction. This is especially important as the septic
tanks will be installed in September. The YAC concession building has been gutted and work has started
on the walls and flooring. The foundation for the separate restroom building will be installed in the
coming week.
October Commission Meeting Cancelled
Staff is recommending cancelling the October 13, 2021, Parks and Recreation regular meeting. Staff will
be attending the annual MRPA conference during this week. This means the next regular meeting will
be November 10, 2021. If a park dedication item or other agenda items is needed for October, staff will
request a special meeting in October.
Item: 9
Elk River Youth Lacrosse Deferment
Elk River Youth Lacrosse president has yet to be named. Their association by-laws state that they must
elect a board president who has been a board member for a period of at least one year. Previous
President Brian Lambertz asked the board if any of the current board members would be willing to step
up and none have committed. Their new terms were effective as of August 1, 2021. The Commission
recommended at the August meeting to place their deferment request on hold until a new President is
elected. Does the Commission want to follow up to their request at the November 10 meeting?
Rivers Edge Commons Park Dock
Marine Dock & Lift plans to install the stairs and ramps for the downtown dock in a few weeks. The
concrete transition paths will be added the end of this month. They recommend not installing the
floating dock sections this year due to the low water levels. They will store the dock sections until Spring
at no additional cost.
Riverfront Concert Series
The Fabulous Armadillos performed the last concert of the Riverfront Concert Series August 18 with the
largest crowd of the Summer, estimated at 1,600 people. Crowds for the entire concert series were down
this summer compared to 2019, averaging about 800.