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Memorandum <br /> <br />To: Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> <br />From: Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br /> <br />Date: August 11, 2021 <br /> <br />Subject: Director’s Report <br /> <br />This report is a monthly highlight of department activities related to recent collaborations, strategic <br />planning, staff changes/developments, and park operations. <br /> <br />Active Elk River - Orono Park & YAC <br />We found last week that the pickleball court at Orono Park was designed at a MnDOT standard and not <br />a competitive pickleball court standard. The court was designed with a 1.2% slope and pickleball courts <br />should slope in one plane at a minimum of 1” in 10’ (0.833%) and a maximum of 1%. We invited 21 <br />pickleball players to test the courts. The Mayor, Cal Portner, Dave Anderson, and Dave Williams <br />attended the pickleball test. <br /> <br />Consensus of the players who tested the courts: “We know the slope is minimal, but it’s in the players <br />head and throws their game off and takes away the competitive edge of the game.” Many agreed with <br />the statement it’s not bad, but also commented don’t we want to do it right. Another comment was “the <br />city should run organized leagues and having a court with a greater slope will potentially hinder sign-ups <br />and we want Elk River to be known for having excellent courts.” <br /> <br />The Orono Skate Park forms are beginning to take shape and the 3,000-gallon underground storage tank <br />for the splash pad has been installed. The restroom/pavilion building foundation was installed last week <br />along with the splash pad foundation. We expect the skate park construction to be about eight weeks. <br />The building construction for the splash pad equipment room is delayed possibly taking this project into <br />October. Contract completion date is the end of October. <br /> <br />Riverfront Concert Series <br />The July 29 Riverfront Concert with “Outside Recess” had to go inside due to poor air quality. For the <br />first time Cornerstone Automotive Arena hosted as ERHS had an issue with their HVAC system. Over <br />300 people were mostly satisfied with the sound and location change. <br />Item: 9