9.0 PRSR 04-13-2022 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: April 13, 2022
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 & YAC
Plumbers have been actively working at the YAC concession building this week. We gave the contractors
a hard deadline of April 15th to complete all work related to city building permits. The Baseball Ice Breaker
Tournament will be the end of April and parks maintenance is doing everything possible to get the fields
prepared. Both restroom buildings are about 98% completed. The Orono Park building has a broken
toilet, a broken bench and a water manifold that needs to be repaired/installed before building permits
and occupancy can be allowed.
Mississippi Oaks Trail
The Mississippi Oaks Trail agenda item from the March 9, 2022, Commission meeting has been
forwarded to the city attorney for review.
Outdoor Ice Rinks
Ice rink warming houses opened on January 10 and closed February 27. They were open and staffed for
49 skating days before the weather changed. For the staffed hours at Handke and Spectrum, we had over
2,100 people using the rinks.
Rivers Edge Commons Park Dock
The topographic survey of the downtown dock site should be completed soon. It is needed to complete a
hydrology study required for the permanent ADA ramps and steps. We are still hoping the dock will be
installed in time for the river boating season. The vendor is waiting on the city to install the dock.
Item: 9
Great Northern Trail Master Plan Study
The public is encouraged to attend the GNT public engagement event on Wednesday, April 20 at the
Princeton Railway Depot from 4-7 pm. Commission members are also encouraged to take the online
survey. Details on the event and survey are attached to this report.
Senior Center Memberships
As of April 8th, we have 443 senior center memberships. Last year we had a total of 470 members. The
average attendance for March was 76. Most popular activities include trips, entertainment, guest speakers,
card playing, and billiards
Fireworks on Independence Day
Our Fireworks company, RES PRO, has committed to shooting this year’s show on Independence Day.
The shooting location will be the Oak Knoll Athletic Complex following concerns from ISD #728. We
plan to have the same fireworks show as 2021, but it will look different to some residents because of its
changed location. RES PRO does all the fireworks shows for the Twins, Vikings, and Saints.
William H. Houlton Conservation Area and Bailey Point Nature Preserve Riverbank Restoration
The applications to the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) were submitted for the Bailey Point
and W.H. Houlton riverbank restoration and are in a 30-day comment period. The Houlton site has
significant historical importance, with many artifacts near the shoreline and are in danger of being
damaged or lost due to erosion. Unfortunately, the restoration cost estimates came back extremely high.
Houlton is now estimated at $131,000, an increase of $51,000 over last year.
Bailey Point came in at $51,000, $21,000 higher than last year. Due to the regulatory delay, overall cost,
and project timeline our focus is on the Bailey restoration. Friends of the Mississippi River has funding for
this project, and we are hopeful they can cover the full cost.
The Houlton riverbank adjacent to the dam is deteriorating daily. We will hold a work session discussion
with City Council after the SHPO review is complete to determine priorities and budgeting. SHPO is
concerned about losing the historic mill foundation at the top of the riverbank, which needs significant
restoration, or we will risk losing the entire foundation due to erosion.
Trott Brook Park Tennis Court Project
On February 22, the City Council approved the Trott Brook Park Tennis Court project. We expect work
to begin on this project early next month. All work shall be substantially completed before Friday, July 1.
Skate Park Grant
In April of 2021, we applied for a $125,000 skate park grant from the Minnesota Amateur Sports
Commission (MASC). That November, we were awarded $25,000 of the allotted grant funds. In
December it was discovered that prevailing wages were required even though the Spohn Ranch contract
was included in the application showing prevailing wages are excluded and they are part of the Sourcewell
cooperative which is a state-approved purchase. MASC informed us that the prevailing wages requirement
can be met after project completion. Spohn Ranch would need to conduct a self-audit of their wages
during construction. If back wages were required, they would be reported and paid. Our city attorney
indicated that the time, money, and effort needed to engage Spohn Ranch would minimize the impact of
the grant so we have declined the skate park grant.
MASTER PLAN STUDY
GREAT NORTHERN TRAIL
Project Information
https://www.co.sherburne.mn.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Great-Northern-Trail-7
FOLLOW THIS PROJECT AT:
The purpose of the Great Northern Trail
Master Plan is to define a preferred
alignment for the 30-mile Great Northern
Trail corridor that extends from Elk
River to Milaca. The southmost 9 miles
of the trail are paved from Elk River to
Zimmerman, as well as a 2 mile segment
through the City of Princeton.
Your valuable input was used to refine
alternate routes for extending the GNT!
Partners and stakeholders have used
your feedback to narrow down the
options. Your input is more valuable
than ever as we select the route from
Zimmerman to Milaca.
See reverse side for upcoming event.
[FULL NAME] [ JOINT OWNER]
[ADDRESS LINE 1]
[CITY_STATE_ZIP]
PARKS & RECREATION
13880 Business Center Dr. NW
Suite 100
Elk River, MN 55330
Questions?
Email gina.hugo@
co.sherburne.mn.us
or call 763-765-3308
Can’t attend in person?
Please take the
online survey at:
(Open April 21st - May 5th)
https://forms.gle/8xuNHtsxcsoJnboF6
How Can You Help?
Please attend the next Public
Engagement Event:
Wed. April 20, 2022 4-7pm
Princeton Great Northern
Railway Depot
101 10th Ave., So.,
Princeton MN 55371
Please RSVP to attend public
engagement event by visiting:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/
8050948AAAB29A5FD0-great
Or by contacting Gina Hugo at
gina.hugo@co.sherburne.mn.us
or 763-765-330