9.0 PRSR 09-13-2023City of
River
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Manager
Date: September 13, 2023
Subject: Parks and Recreation Manager's Report
Memorandum
Item: 9
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic planning,
staff changes/ developments, and park operations.
Pickleball Court Update
A sink hole developed under court #2 in late July. This was caused by the YMCA staff activating irrigation lines
under the court by mistake. The lines were not capped during the Orono Park construction. We continue to
assess the sink hole damages to the pickleball courts and do not expect repair work to start until October. Use of
the court is welcome in the non -damaged courts.
Athletic Facilities Master Plans
We continue to work with HKGi on concept plans for the Athletic Complexes. One big change is that we are
now including ISD 728's Hales Field as part of the master plan for OKAC. Because of this change, we do not
expect master plans to be presented and considered until January. The next meeting of the advisory committee
will be sometime in October. The project advisory committee includes city staff, Commissioners Dave Williams,
Mike Brown and Ryan Holmgren.
Cannabis Use on Park ProppM
City Council approved an ordinance amendment in early August that prohibits the smoking or vaping of
cannabis products on all public property. This prohibition includes city parks, nature areas, trails, sidewalks,
parking lots, streets, out lots, right of ways, ponds and waterways.
Waterfowl Hunting U> date
The William H. Houlton Conservation Area will not be available for waterfowl hunting along the active
construction area for shoreline restoration. All other approved areas are available for waterfowl hunting.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in late September. We will post on social media once the shoreline
restoration area is available for hunting again. A friendly reminder that the William H. Houlton Conservation
Area is still open to the public, but please give construction crews space to work.