9.0 PRSR 03-08-2023 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Recreation Manager
Date: March 8, 2023
Subject: Manager’s Report
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic planning,
staff changes/developments, and park operations.
Orono Park Pickleball Shade Structures
At the February meeting, Commissioner Anderson asked if the Commission had reviewed and approved the
current size of the Orono Park pickleball structures that were installed in January. On February 15, I sent the
Commission an email showing that the current size was approved two different times by the Commission. The
Commission approved a 10’ x 16’ fabric shade structure on November 10, 2021. The Commission then
approved the current red metal roof structure also 10’ x 16’ at the April 13, 2022, meeting. Pictures of the two
shade structures that were presented to the Commission are attached to this report.
Youth Sports Associations Annual Meeting
On March 1, city staff and local youth associations met to discuss the upcoming field season, updates to
fields/facilities, important dates, and a new billing system. Staff reported that the meeting went very well.
Lions John Weicht Park Playground
Staff continues to work with Flagship Recreation on playground concepts for Lion John Weicht Park. At the
October 2022 meeting, the Commission recommended a budget of $200,000 for the playground. At the
December 14 meeting, the Commissioners expressed concern that a budget of $200,000 would not be enough
for a potential signature type playground. Staff is reviewing additional concepts with price points of $200,000,
$300,000, and $400,000 for comparison purposes. We hope to present these concepts to the Commission at the
April 12 meeting.
Annual Board and Commission Appreciation Dinner
The appreciation dinner for board and commission members was rescheduled for Thursday, March 30 at 6:30
pm. The time, location and menu will all remain the same as the original date. Please RSVP by Tuesday, March
14, even if you did previously with the original February date.
Item: 9
Outdoor Ice Rinks
The outdoor rink season came to a halt with the recent winter storm on February 22. Rinks were maintained 63
days throughout this past season. The table below shows the approximate number of hours per day staff spent
clearing snow, sweeping, and flooding by rink.
Staff has observed that the two neighborhood rinks, Mississippi Oaks Parks and Riverplace Park were not used
this season by evidence of no skate marks when temps were below freezing. Staff is recommending the
permanent closure of these two rinks. This decision will free up our maintenance staff and equipment to provide
a higher level of service to Handke and Spectrum rinks.
We are planning to send out post cards to the neighbors of these two rinks with a QR code linked to a brief
survey about the city’s neighborhood rinks to assist us in deciding whether or not to continue maintaining these
rinks. Information about the rink discussion/recommendations discussion on the Parks and Recreation
Commission Agenda for April 12 will also be included on the cards.
Spectrum High School Outdoor Rink
On February 27, staff met with the Spectrum High School Executive Director and Athletic Director to discuss
and evaluate the joint use agreement. A joint powers agreement was created in September 2020 for a three-year
term with an automatic renewal on an annual basis. Staff expressed maintenance concerns about the rink, and it
seems Spectrum is willing to address them. One major concern is the ground elevation of the rink making it
difficult for flooding. If Spectrum makes the improvements mutually agreed upon before September, staff has
no concerns about renewing the agreement for the 2023-24 season.