8.1A PRSR 08-12-2009Ji
ilk _
River
REQUEST FOR ACTION
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 8. I A
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Action/Discussion Items Au st 12, 2009 Steve Benoit, Recreation Mana er
Item Description Reviewed by
Appointment of Hillside City Park Trail Steward Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation
Director
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Naming of Rich Omdahl as the Hillside City Park Trail Steward.
Background/Discussion
Hillside Ciry Park has been part of the Elk River Parks and Recreation system for seven years. The
major amenity in the Park is seven miles of mountain bike trails. The Park has grown in popularity the
past several years and is now known as being one of the premier mountain biking facilities in the region.
Along with general Park users mountain bike races are also held at the Park annually.
Volunteers have been a key element in the maintaining and developing of the trails system. As the Park
use has increased over time, there has been in turn a need for increased involvement from volunteers. A
concern that has arisen is ensuring all volunteers are conducting trail work which has been approved
through the Parks and Recreation Department and follows the International Mountain Bike Association,
IMBA, guidelines.
In researching other comparable mountain bike facilities, a system that has been used to address this
issue is the naming of one of the volunteers as the official Trail Steward. The Trail Steward serves as the
primary communication link with the city staff and then directs the volunteer group. By having a clearly
defined line of communication trail work is accomplished in an effective manner.
Other Information to Consider
Rich Omdahl has been a vital part of the volunteer group, named Dirtwirx, at Hillside Ciry Park since
2006. Rich has put in countless hours maintaining the trails as well as helping manage mountain bike
races at Hillside Ciry Park. Due in large part to his efforts, Hillside Ciry Park was awarded the 2008
Land Manager of the Year from the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists group. Rich was also instrumental in
securing a Minnesota State Championship Series mountain bike race which was held on July 26th at
Hillside Ciry Park. Due to his efforts Rich was featured as the volunteer of the month at the June Parks
and Recreation Commission meeting.
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Staff Recommendation
Recommend naming Rich Omdahl as the volunteer Trail Steward for Hillside Ciry Park.
Action Motion by Second by Vote
Follow Up
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