8.0 PRSR 02-14-2024 Memorandum
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Manager
Date: February 14, 2024
Subject: Parks and Recreation Manager’s Report
This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic planning,
staff changes/developments, and park operations.
“Play My Way” Playground Project
Dawn Larson, Sr. Administrative Assistant took the lead role in efforts focused on community engagement
regarding the playgrounds in Elk River with great success. Staff are calling the ongoing playground project “Play
My Way.” This project is primarily focused on gathering feedback from local youth that will help us choose the
best playground equipment to replace aging playgrounds as well as adding new ones to our growing community.
This will help the city to determine the best type of equipment, style, and playability to fit the community needs.
Details of this project will be presented to the Commission at the April 10 meeting.
Senior Activity Center
While Natalie Anderson continues to be on medical leave, I am at the Senior Activity Center each day
completing tasks. We now have 445 memberships for 2024 and are on par with trends last year around this time.
Kristin Gilbertson, the Senior Activity Center Assistant, is now working 28-hours per week as approved in the
2024 budget and she has been exceeding my expectations.
Athletic Facilities Master Plan Update
The city requested HKGi complete soil borings at the PT Complex (Plant & Things Recreation Complex) to
determine the soil's physical and chemical properties to assess the suitability of the site for the various new park
amenities.
The soil borings were completed this week and are being analyzed by HKGi. HKGi will present its findings,
including the updated concepts to the Commission at the March 13 Commission meeting.
Public Art Update
The city received six RFP registrations all for the Furniture and Things Community Event Center. None were
received for Orono Park. No further action is needed. Staff appreciates Commissioner Niziolek’s efforts
reviewing the RFP.
Item: 8
Civic Plus
The City Council, Boards and Commissions will soon be receiving training to use CivicPlus®. It provides an
end-to-end solution that enables municipal clerks and city staff to easily manage agendas, minutes, and public
meetings, while providing the public with unparalleled transparency and access to the meeting process. This
means that the Commission packets will become paperless by May 2024. All commissioners will have the ability
to use their personal devices or city provided Chrome books to access the Commission agendas and reports.