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Chapter 3: The System Today 32 <br />T <br />O <br />D <br />A <br />Y <br />Also, through the Adopt-a-Park program or the city-wide volunteer program, Elk <br />River’s Parks and Recreation benefits from the work of hundreds of volunteers <br />at varying levels. While many of our parks rely on individuals or small groups <br />of people taking care of them, Woodland Trails, Hillside City Park, and Bailey <br />Point Nature Preserve all rely heavily on numerous volunteers to maintain them <br />at their current high levels. Efforts should be made to quantify the hours and <br />value of their work and to ensure that volunteer programs are sustained. <br />Natural Resources <br />Maintenance of the natural parks must occur in two areas: The first area of <br />maintenance being the care and beauty of the park for human activity, and the <br />second being the active management of the natural parks from the prospective <br />of ecosystem functionality. Within the natural management prospective, great <br />emphasis should be placed upon biodiversity, preservation of high quality <br />natural resources and native landscape features, and establishment of appropriate <br />natural landscapes. <br />Arts <br />Community interest in the arts is significant and as a result, the city has a plethora <br />of motivated artists and advocates. The City Council expressed an interest in <br />expanding the role of public art in both the park system and throughout the city. <br />Recently established programs, such as The Riverfront Concert Series and recent <br />art installations, demonstrate the value arts can bring when integrated into the <br />facilities. The Riverfront Concert Series draws thousands of visitors each week. <br />Hillside park is home to ‘Tina’ a sculpture by Sue Seeger (shown on previous <br />page). This sculpture, the new installation at Handke School also by Sue Seeger, <br />the Ladle sculpture in front of Art Soup by Gene Olson (shown on page 96) <br />highlights the community’s cultural strength and adds value to public places. <br />Incorporating arts into the fabric of the city’s infrastructure can also add to the <br />sense of place in Elk River. Integrating art into facilities such as bridges, roads, <br />and buildings beautify the city by enhancing the typically utilitarian things that <br />help the city function. <br />Additional events such as art fairs, performances, and educational events will <br />help raise awareness and enthusiasm for the arts in Elk River. The arts are further <br />discussed in the Elk River Public Arts Plan.