04-12-1988 PR MIN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Meeting of City Council/Rec Board April 12. 1988 Page 2 Recreation Board Chairman. Mike O'Brien. noted that the City entered into a joint powers agreement with the school in approximately 1981. Prior to that time the Recreation Board was very active. However. since that agreement the school (Community Ed) has taken the lead in recreation planning and activities and. accordingly. the Recreation Board has been somewhat dormant because of the lack of need. Charlie Blesener. Community Ed Director. indicated that most of the space for youth recreation is provided by schools while most of the space for adult summer recreation (mainly softball) is provided by the City. The budget and recreation activities are currently planned by the school and the City finances some of these recreation activities. Discussion on the growth the City has been experiencing and how this will affect future park and recreation needs took place. Specifically mentioned was the need for additional parklands and recreational equipment. Also-noted. was the importance of obtaining the railroad bed for a trail system. Comments were offered that it may be appropriate for Elk River to learn from other more developed communities on how their recreation activities and departments were organized. It was the consensus of the Recreation Board that they should return to their monthly meeting status (especially during summer months) in order to: 1.)begin planning for park development: 2.) work on revisions of the City ordinance: and 3.) plan for the future total park development of the community so that adequate park and recreation facilities are available once the community is fully developed. The City Council requested that an immediate work assignment of the Recreation Board be to evaluate the names of the City parks and that policies be formed so that future names of City parks are not made in reference to individuals. It was noted by the Council that it may be important for the Recreation Board to develop an inventory of all existing parks and that all members may want to take a field trip and visit every City park. The discussion then moved to the topic of softball and the importance of more softball fields in Elk River. It was stated that the existing facility. which has five fields. one of which is lighted. is very adequate. It was also noted that softball is a growing group and as the community continues to grow so will the demand for softball facilities. This demand includes additional lighting for softball fields and more fields being available for softball activities. Discussion on a larger softball complex which could be used as a multi-purpose area (i.e. soccer activity during non-softball activity) may be needed in the future. Approximately 10 acres is needed to construct four softball fields. It was suggested by the City Council that the Recreation Board examing some City flood plain areas for a future softball complex. -' . . .