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CONTENTS WHAT IS A FRAMEWORK PLAN 1 ATHLETIC FIELDS STUDY FINDINGS 1 OVERVIEW OF CONCEPTS 2 OAK KNOLL ATHLETIC COMPLEX CONCEPT 3 DAVE ANDERSON ATHLETIC COMPLEX CONCEPT 4 PLANTS AND THINGS RECREATION COMPLEX CONCEPT 5-6 PROJECT PHASES AND ESTIMATES 7-8 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 2035DAACOKACPTRCLJWP renovationPRTC expansionPopulation Growth and Field Development in Elk River WHAT IS A FRAMEWORK PLAN? The Elk River Athletic Facilities Framework Plan includes an examination of the major outdoor fi eld facilities in the City. Recent improvements at Lion John Weicht Park with 2 softball fi elds serve the high school and to some extent the youth softball programs in Elk River, so this facility was included in fi eld analysis, but is not expected to change and was not part of the design eff orts. This project looked at: • Dave Anderson Athletic Complex • Oak Knoll Athletic Complex (including school district property) • Plants and Things Recreation Complex (including an expansion area to the south of the built area) The framework plan developed concepts for these facilities to a “schematic” level. Schematic design allows for: • Testing of ideas • Assigning program (how will the facility will be used?) • Site fi t testing (can the fi elds and related support facilities like parking fi t on the site?) • Planning level cost estimating (how much money do we need to allocate to realize this vision?) Schematic design is early in the process, so what is built may ultimately shift somewhat from the framework plan. There are still some variables that have not been resolved that could change what can or should be done at the sites. In the case of this plan, this could include questions of property ownership, larger than expected wetlands identifi ed by a future delineation, changing costs and/or funding opportunities, changes to adjacent land uses, or unanticipated shifts in population growth. What this plan allows the City to do is start moving forward with a funding strategy, knowing how much these improvements will cost. It also helps the City plan for where to invest time, money, and resources into existing facilities. For example, based on these designs, it would not be wise for the City to invest in new buildings at DAAC, but it may make sense to continue investments to the baseball area at PTRC. As the City gets closer to building out these facilities, additional design work will be needed to fi ne tune layout adjustments and resolve some of the details. GUIDANCE AND GOALS FOR THE FRAMEWORK PLAN In order to develop the Framework Plan, goals were identifi ed and guidelines were provided. The goals of this project included: • Accommodate and identify locations for as many of the anticipated fi elds needed, based on the 2022 Athletic Fields Study • Group alike facilities -Give each sport a “home” facility -Better facilitate tournaments • Improve the quality of the facilities • Improve facilities for maintenance and recreation programming Additional guidance on what the Framework Plan should consider was also provided: • Layout plans on existing City property (and some school district property at OKAC) • The long term plans for adjacent land uses by DAAC are unclear and we may not always be able to rely on the currently available parking. Reduce the level of intensive investment at this facility. • The City has ownership of land south of the wetland complex at PTRC and this land is anticipated to be a part of PTRC. Utilize this land for additional fi eld development. The boundaries of this land have shifted since 2018 planning eff orts. FINDINGS FROM THE ATHLETIC FIELDS STUDY In 2022, the City of Elk River completed a fi eld utilization study. The City has been growing and user expectations around fi elds have changed. The last major expansion of fi eld space happened in 2005 with the expansion of PTRC. At that time, the City was approximately 19,700 people. Since then the population has grown to 27,393 (ESRI). Growth is continuing, and at a more rapid pace than anticipated. The fi eld study looked at multiple variables when developing recommendations for additions to the system. These included: • Population ratios relative to the last time fi elds were added (2005) • Comparisons (City only and including schools) with other peer cities • Participation trends in diff erent sports • User Feedback The study recommended the following additions: • + 4 rectangle fi elds (football, soccer, lacrosse) The framework plan adds 3 rectangle fi elds, and increases fl exibility for programming • + 3-4 60’ ballfi elds with 200-225’ fences The framework plan adds 1 60’ baseball fi eld to the system and 2 60’ softball fi elds • + 1-2 75’ ballfi elds The framework plan makes 1 90’ fi eld functional for 75’ and improves another for dedicated baseball • + 1-2 90’ ballfi elds The framework plan does not add any 90’ baseball fi elds, but the addition of turf at Hales would increase capacity and one practice fi eld was added at the HS during renovations As noted, the framework plan does not fully address all of the demand, but does improve numbers and function. ELK RIVER PARKS & RECREATIONATHLETIC FIELDS FRAMEWORK PLAN City of Elk River, Minnesota1 Page 51 of 304