Parks and Recreation Special Work Session Packet (5)

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3 ELK RIVER PARKS & RECREATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Elk River is a growing community at the northwestern edge of the Twin Cities metro. The city is “Powered by Nature” and the importance of parks and recreation is enormous in this community. Many of Elk River’s families have been a part of the youth athletics associations and sports are part of what helps defi ne Elk River’s character. The city has worked hard to provide its youth and adult athletes with safe and fun athletic facilities. This is most recently evidenced in the development of the Furniture and Things Community Even Center multi-purpose facility, Lion John Weicht Park, and improvements at the schools. This study is to help understand the current and future needs of the community, protecting existing assets, and also serving as guide for new investments. This was completed through review of city qualitative and quantitative data, user group input, and consultant analysis of trends, demographic projections, and recreation standards. Elk River continues to grow, in both overall and youth population. This is putting additional demand on the athletic facilities. The study identifi ed qualitative and quantity/capacity related needs and opportunities, both currently and anticipated. Needs identifi ed included: Supporting and strengthening the relationship between the schools and the city for the provision of athletic facilities in the community Longer term expansion of capacity through construction of additional fi elds Continuing to pursue tournaments that provide unique hosting experiences for the athletes and bring people to Elk River Safety and user experience improvements such as netting, restrooms, and other support facilities as well as improved maintenance (both city and school) of fi elds This study recommends: • Continue to maintain additional fi elds that can fl ex in order to accommodate weather and tournament induced peaks in demand. • Improve facilities at DAAC to modernize the facility and improve user experience • Continue to limit access after weather events or long winters. • Add two 60’ and two 75’ baseball fi elds with grass infi elds. This could happen entirely at YAC or may include upgrades to the ballfi elds at Oak Knoll to dedicated baseball fi elds with grass infi elds. • Addition of 1-2 90’ baseball fi elds in the community • Continue to evaluate usage, and if baseball shifts to OKAC, increase availability for softball at YAC. • Consider the development of an additional 3-4 small fi elds with 200-225’ fences in the long run (by 2035) to accommodate growing and future demand. • Consider the development of 4 rectangle fi elds over the long term (by 2035) to accommodate growing and future demand. • Explore bringing amenities to the fi eld at YAC similar to what has been constructed at the ballfi elds. If the expansion occurs, it may be better to focus investments on support facilities in that area. • Continue to work with youth associations to bring more tournaments to Elk River, particularly with weekend availability. • Consider opportunities to double up scheduling, particularly when school users do not go later than 6 p.m. Sources: US Census, Elk River Comprehensive Plan, ESRI - 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035DAACOKACYACLJWP renovationYAC expansionPopulation Growth and Field Development in Elk River Page 44 of 75