9.5. SR 05-18-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 City of Elk River - Parks and Recreation Master Plan Active Living All age groups are seeing an increase in obesity rates, along with associated health risks, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. As a result, people are paying increased attention to Active Living, which centers around the idea that physical activity can and should be integrated into daily routines. The resulting demands for parks and recreation include more walking, running, and biking trails, additional senior fitness opportunities, and more ways to integrate the health of the body and mind into everyday lifestyles. Trails According to the 2014 Parks and Recreation Survey, over 70% of Elk River residents identify trails as a high priority, which mirrors state and national trends, where trails are consistently at the top of the list of desired amenities. Trails serve multiple purposes, providing recreation, safe routes for travel, and places for active recreation. Whether they are long, linear trails like the Great Northern Trail, or a walking loop like the trail at Lion John Weicht Park, trails are in high demand. Non-traditional Sports Mountain biking, rugby, disc golf, geo-caching, pickleball, and ultimate frisbee are all surging in popularity. These sports bring more activities to parks and are important for providing program options that appeal to all members of the community. These non- traditional activities are also placing new and different demands on parks and staff and may compete with traditional activities for park resources and space. Art Public art is extending beyond fixed objects and building enhancements to include festivals, artists-in-residence, temporary installations, and projects associated with environmental stewardship, education, or social service endeavors. There is a growing interest among artists and arts organizations to reach audiences outside of traditional venues and increase access to the arts by all people. Non-artists are also recognizing and demanding the value and quality of life improvements that come along with investments in public art. Communities are incorporating public art—as well as arts and cultural programming —into parks and other public spaces. Time-Pressed Households are busier, commutes are long, and schedules are more demanding. Free time is a rare but highly valued commodity for families. While parents look for programs that can keep kids active and engaged during the summer and after school, they are also less tolerant of programs and practices