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The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br /> <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To <br />Parks & Recreation Commission <br />Item Number <br />6.1 <br />Agenda Section <br />Discussion <br />Meeting Date <br />November 8, 2017 <br />Prepared by <br />Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Item Description <br />Great Northern Trail (GNT) – Watson Street <br />Parking <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Reviewed by <br /> <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Discussion <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />At the October 17 Commission Meeting Open Forum, two Elk River residents requested to consider <br />building a parking lot for the Watson Street area to access the Great Northern Trail (GNT). An area they <br />want the city to consider is south east of the current Woodland Trails park sign. <br /> <br />The residents believe there should be a parking area for Woodland Trails Park off of County Road 33 and <br />that cars should not be parking on Watson Street. The stated some of the cars have been parked for <br />several hours on Watson Avenue with people sitting in them. They also stated it is hard to maneuver <br />between all the cars parked on both sides of the street and they block visibility. <br /> <br />Staff does not believe that the county would allow access to Woodland Trails Park from County Road 33 <br />and as for the parking on Watson; the public can legally park on any city streets unless otherwise posted. <br /> <br />This was a discussion item at the Regular Commission Meeting on September 11, 2013, and the <br />Commission recommended the city not consider a parking lot and that the public use the current city <br />streets for parking. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />Staff reviewed a potential parking area south east of the current park sign and found it to be cost <br />prohibitive considering the elevations and wetland designations. The cost to construct a paved 12-vehicle <br />even leveled parking lot with the required curb and gutter is estimated at over $48,000. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> Three Aerial views of GNT at Watson and County Road 33.