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3 ELK RIVER PARKS & RECREATIONDRAFT <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />The City of Elk River is a growing community at the northwestern edge of the Twin Cities metro. The City is “Powered by Nature” <br />and the importance of parks and recreation is enormous in this community. Many of Elk River’s families have been a part of the <br />youth athletics associations and sports are part of what helps defi ne Elk River’s character. <br />The City has worked hard to provide its youth and adult athletes with safe and fun athletic facilities. This is most recently <br />evidenced in the development of the Ice Arena, Lion John Wiecht Park, and improvements at the schools. This study is to <br />help understand the current and future needs of the community, protecting existing assets, and also serving as guide for new <br />investments. This was completed through review of City qualitative and quantitative data, user group input, and consultant <br />analysis of trends, demographic projections, and recreation standards. <br />The City of Elk River continues to grow, in both overall and youth population. This is putting additional demand on the athletic <br />facilities. <br />The study identifi ed qualitative and quantity/capacity related needs and opportunities, both currently and anticipated. Needs <br />identifi ed included: <br />Supporting and <br />strengthening the <br />relationship between the <br />schools and the City for <br />the provision of athletic <br />facilities in the community <br />Resolve the <br />questions <br />surrounding <br />Hale’s Field <br />Longer term <br />expansion of <br />capacity through <br />construction of <br />additional fi elds <br />Continuing to pursue <br />tournaments that <br />provide unique hosting <br />experiences for the <br />athletes and bring <br />people to Elk River <br />Safety and user experience <br />improvements such as <br />netting, restrooms, and other <br />support facilities as well as <br />improved maintenance (both <br />City and School) of fi elds <br />This study recommends: <br />• Continue to maintain additional fi elds that can fl ex in order <br />to accommodate weather and tournament induced peaks in <br />demand. <br />• Improve facilities at DAAC to modernize the facility and improve <br />user experience <br />• Continue to limit access after weather events or long winters. <br />• Resolve the issues surrounding Hales Field. Consider a partnership <br />with the School District <br />• Refocus the ballfi elds at Oak Knoll to a dedicated 75’ baseball fi eld <br />and a 60’ fi eld, both with grass infi elds. <br />• Continue to evaluate usage, and if baseball shifts to OKAC, <br />increase availability for softball at YAC. <br />• Consider the development of an additional 3-4 small fi elds <br />with 200-225’ fences in the long run (by 2035) to accommodate <br />growing and future demand. <br />• Consider the development of 4 rectangle fi elds over the long <br />term (by 2035) to accommodate growing and future demand. <br />• Explore bringing amenities to the fi eld at YAC similar to what has been constructed at the ballfi elds. If the expansion occurs, it <br />may be better to focus investments on support facilities in that area. <br />• Working with associations to bring more tournaments to Elk River, particularly with weekend availability. <br />• Consider opportunities to double up scheduling, particularly when school users do not go later than 6PM <br />Sources: US Census, Elk River Comprehensive Plan, ESRI <br /> - <br /> 5,000 <br /> 10,000 <br /> 15,000 <br /> 20,000 <br /> 25,000 <br /> 30,000 <br />1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035DAACOKACYACLJWP renovationYAC expansionPopulation growth and Field Development in Elk River