4.4. SR 06-18-2001City
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
Mayor and City Council
Michele McPherso ,~l~Director of Planning
DATE: June 18, 2001
SUBJECT: Park and Recreation Commission Update -June
Item #
4.4.
Attachments
· June 8, 2001 letter from Lincoln Elementary School
· Playground Plan - Lincoln Elementary School
· Park Shelter and Park Facility Application Form
At the June Park and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission reviewed a number
of volunteer projects by local students, a number of administrative subdivision requests for
park dedication purposes, and also a few park and trail development issues.
Request from Lincoln Elementary to Fund Playground
The Commission reviewed heard a presentation from Donna Williams, Principal of Lincoln
Elementary School, regarding the plans for replacement of the Lincoln Elementary School
playground. Through the bond issue, the school district has made a number of
improvements to the topography around Lincoln Elementary School. As a result, the
parent-teacher organization is raising funds to install a new playground prior to school
commencing in the fall of 2001.
The Lincoln PTO approached the Park and Recreation Commission and requested
assistance up to $3,000 for construction of the playground. The Commission voted
unanimously to recommend to the City Council that $3,000 be granted to the Lincoln PTO
from the Park Equipment Reserve Fund for assistance in constructing the playground at
Lincoln Elementary School.
Staff recommends that the City Council concur with this recommendation and grant
$3,000 to the Lincoln PTO.
Memo to Mayor & City Council-June P&R Update
June 18, 2001
Page
Public Facility Use Policy
Staff has revised the public facility use application and established a new working policy for
public use of facilities such as parks, park shelters, and public streets. In 2000, Community
Recreation began reserving and scheduling the city's park shelters. In 2001, the City Council
established a shelter reservation fee and a fee for the use of Woodland Trails Park.
In May, the Lions Fun Run organized and requested assistance from the Police Department.
This fun run uses a portion of Woodland Trails Park for its event. They did not reserve the
park or pay the reservation fee until billed. At that time, it was recommended that perhaps
all use of public facilities such as shelters, parks, and streets should be processed through the
Community Recreation Department. They would be responsible for receiving applications,
scheduling events and routing requests when needed to the appropriate department such as
Police Department for Reserves, and Public Works for items such as barricades for streets,
etc.
The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the attached application as well as staff's
recommendation for implementing a new policy for the use of public facilities. The
Commission voted unanimously to recommend the following to the City Council:
Community Recreation will receive and process park shelter and park facility use
applications from residents desiring to use shelters, Woodland Trails Park or city
streets.
Re-establish the deposit requirements for all city facilities and streets as was
established for Woodland Trails Park. The fee schedule indicates that deposits are
only required for Woodland Trails Park at this time, however, it is important to have
deposits for all shelters, especially Lions Park, in order to obtain keys and ensure that
the facilities are left in good condition.
Staff recommends that the City Council concur with the Park and Recreation
Commission's recommendation.
Park Construction Update
Construction has begun on Riverplace Park. Clean up of trash and construction debris left
by the builders in the subdivision has occurred, as well as preliminary grading for the site.
Site preparation has begun for construction of the playground. We anticipate that the
playground materials will be delivered in late June with construction in early July. The
basketball court has been completed in Country Crossing 3ra and benches have been placed
in strategic locations in a variety of parks. The public works staff has been designing
alternative park identification signs for the Commission to review and it is hoped that at the
July meeting, a decision can be made and construction can soon begin on park identification
signs for each of the City's parks. The park identification signs will include the park name,
as well as the address.
S:\PLANNING\MICHMC\CCREPRTS\P&Rupdate-June.doc
Memo to Mayor & City Council-June P&R Update
June 18, 2001
Page
If the Council has any questions relating to parks, I will be in attendance at the June 18,h
meeting.
S:\PLANNING\MICHMC\CCREPRTS\P&Rupdate-June.doc
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY
Independent School District #728
600 School Street
Elk River, Minnesota 55330
(763) 241-3480
Lightmng~ · Bclts
Donna J. Williams, Principal
June 8, 2001
Dear City Council Members:
We have great plans at Lincoln Elementary! Plans for a new playground! Our goal is to install a
new and safe playground at Lincoln Elementary that will be enjoyed year round by the students at
Lincoln and the Community of Elk River.
Due to poor drainage and uneven grading of the field area, the playground and playing fields at
Lincoln are inadequate and at times flooded beyond use. With the approval of the school
referendum, we will soon begin to make improvements to the playing fields and make proper
drainage improvements. This step alone will help improve the safety of our site. However, the
playground equipment will have to be replaced with site improvements. Through the wear and tear
of everyday use, the equipment will not withstand removal nor be reliable if reinstalled.
We have modeled our playground design after the Rogers-Hassan City playground that was built at
Rogers Elementary in the Spring of 2000. The Lincoln PTO is working in collaboration with Elk
River Area School District #728 and community sponsors to secure enough funding to support this
project. The drainage improvements and leveling of the playing fields will be funded through the
referendum. The playground equipment and installation will be paid for with a collaborative effort.
Our goal is $60,000+ and we have $19,000. $3,000 would be a great help. If the City could afford
to provide anymore help, we would be thrilled and grateful. Can we count on the City of Elk River
to join in the effort to build a new playground at Lincoln Elementary just as you have helped other
elementary schools in our community?
We are excited to move forward with our plans for a new playground and ~o make the necessary
improvements to the playing fields. We hope the City of Elk River can help us reach our goal!
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Donna Williams at 763/241-3480. Thank
you.
Sincerely,
Lincoln Playground Committee
Donna Williams
Heidi Adamson Laura Filipovich
Jui0e McChesney ~
Diane Priyatel
TOGETHER ... Learning for Life
River
Park Shelter
and
Park Facility Use
Application
Applications are to be submitted to Community Recreation, 50 Main Street NW at least 14 days
prior to the first date requested in order to allow time to process requests with special staffing
needs. Some requests may require review by the Park and Recreation Commission.
Applicant Information
Name of Group Reserving Facility:
Name:
Address:
Street City State
Phone (w): Fax: Phone (H):
Signature: Date:
ZipCode
Reservation Information
Activity:
Date (s): Number of People:
Start Time: End Time: Set Up Time:
Facilit to be Reserved:
First Second Facility Name People Fee Deposit
Choice Choice Accommodated
Orono Shelter 1 100 $20 Fees are non-
Orono Shelter 2 50 $20 refundable.
Orono Shelter 3 50 $20
Orono Shelter 4 100 $20 Deposits are required in
Orono Softball Field* addition to the fees and
Orono, other than shelters $50 are based on the size of
Lions Shelter 1 50 $20 the gr.oup:
Lions Shelter 2 50 $20
Lions Shelter 3 50 $20 0-25 People $50
Lions Shelter 4 50 $20 25-100 People $100
Lions Shelter 5, open 100 $20 101-250 People $150
Lions Shelter 5, enclosed $40 250-500 People $300
over 500 $500
Lions Bandshell (seats 200) $20
Woodland Trails $50 Deposits are returned if
Lions, other than shelters $50 the facility is left in
Emporium good kondition.
Jackson/Main Street Park $20
Streets, for parade or other
event (include map of route)
*Contac~ Dave Anderson at 763/441-4582 for information.
Park Shelter and Facility Use ApplicatJon
Page 2
Special Equipment or City Services Required
Barricades
Police Reserves
Fun Packs:
Office Use Only:
Date Received:
Permit Number:
Route to:
Receipt Number:
Public Works
Police Department
Planning (for Park Commission Review)
S:\PLANNING\MICHMC\PARKNREC\Facility Use Application.doc