7.1 PRSR 03-08-2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

6 ATHLETIC FIELDS STUDY City of Elk River, Minnesota OAK KNOLL ATHLETIC COMPLEX (OKAC) Oak Knoll Athletic Complex was developed in (‘91-’03). It is now home to one intermediate sized ballfi eld, one smaller ballfi eld, and two rectangle fi elds. A full sized ballfi eld that used to be at the complex was removed in 2006 with the development of the public works site. ISD 728 owns and operates the adjacent Hales Field, which is not part of OKAC. LION JOHN WEICHT PARK Lion John Weicht Park is the home of two recently constructed, high quality softball fi elds. These replaced a single softball fi eld in 2020. These fi elds, now known as the John Barth Softball Fields are the home of Elk River High School’s softball team. NO. PRIMARY SPORT SECONDARY SPORTS LIT? PRIORITY 1 75’ Baseball No City 2 Softball/60’ Baseball No City 3 Football/Lacrosse Soccer Yes City 4 Football/Lacrosse Soccer Yes City Hale’s Field is a School District Facility: Baseball No School NO. PRIMARY SPORT SECONDARY SPORTS LIT? PRIORITY 1 Softball Yes School 2 Softball Yes School KLIEVER LAKE PARK Kliever Lake Park currently hosts football and lacrosse practices. The park size is adequate for one rectangle fi eld, but the parking situation is problematic. Youth soccer has been relocated due to parking concerns. This facility works for the time being, but is likely not a sustainable solution in the long term without additional parking facilities. CITY PARKS In addition to the city’s main athletic facilities, some of the neighborhood parks have been built with facilities such as open playfi elds or other informal fi eld spaces. These are typically not programmed for association uses except for recreation level play, younger athletes, or when needed as backup. FURNITURE AND THINGS COMMUNITY EVENT CENTER (MULTI PURPOSE FACILITY) While this study is primarily examining outdoor fi eld space, it is worth noting that the city also built a fi eld house in 2020 with 30,000 square feet of artifi cial turf and additional training elements such as batting cages. This facility can be utilized during the winter or in case of inclement weather for practices. SCHOOL FACILITIES ISD 728 underwent major fi eld renovations at Elk River High School (ERHS) and the middle schools. The renovation included the addition of synthetic turf and the reconstruction of other fi elds. The renovation resulted in the overall addition of one baseball fi eld (from one to two) and the loss of two softball fi elds. ERHS’s primary varsity baseball fi eld, Hales Field, is across Proctor Avenue from the main campus and adjacent to OKAC. The fi elds at ERHS are used by school teams and youth athletic associations. Lincoln and Parker Elementary Schools have 4 softball fi elds together and Meadowvale has another two with the ability to stripe additional rectangle fi elds. Twin Lakes has another diamond and rectangle fi eld. Similar to neighborhood parks, the elementary schools are not heavily programmed. While the facilities are maintained by the schools, (rather than the city) many participants and families do not understand or care if the facility they are at is a school district facility or a city facility. It is worth noting that the recent renovations at the high school temporarily created a very large shortage of fi eld space in the community. This was around the same time that Lion John Weicht Park was undergoing renovations as well. As fi elds come back on line, that shortage is being reduced. FUTURE EXPANSION As the city continues to grow, parkland will need to be developed to meet the community’s needs.