5.8. SR 07-21-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DOHERTY RUMBLE & BUTLER , ',-:, , ri- - -- '~. : ,,-' :L'i 'i~ ,'!'L' '> . ~ ',-.' '..It,.'-::.''. it 340-5588 June 25, 1997 Mr. Jeff Asfahl, Director Community Recreation Board 1230 School Street NW Elk River, MN 55330 Re: Skate Park Dear Jeff: Attached is a brochure on the "Woodworks", the Mankato area skateboard/roller sport facility. This facility is operated by the "Mankato Area Skateboard Association", and is only available to members of the Association. Membership is open to anyone who signs a membership agreement and a liability waiver and meets the other conditions set forth in the brochure. The City of Manka to's only involvement in this project involved giving the land for the Woodworks to the Association. This property was not leased. Rather, ownership of the property was transferred to the Association, with a reverter clause stating that if the property did not continue to be used for the roller sport facility, ownership would revert back to the City. The City has no other involvement in the facility and does not promote the facility as part of the City's park and recreation program. If Elk River were to undertake a similar facility for Elk River, the following issues should be considered: 1. Transferring ownership of property to a local association will be more effective in protecting the City ITom liability than leasing land to such an association. However, not all park land can be sold without following some complex legal procedures. 2. An enclosed facility would be considerably easier to manage and police than an open air facility. The Mankato facility is an enclosed building and cannot be used unless someone with a key opens it up. It is my understanding that keys are only available to adults, to insure that there is adult supervision at any time the facility is being used. It would be difficult to similarly control the use of an outdoor facility.