08-13-2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Packet (1)

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Memorandum To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Jeff Shelby, Parks and Recreation Manager Date: August 13, 2025 Subject: Parks and Recreation Staff Report Senior Activity Center We have 543 members to date, which is just below the 552 we had at the same time last year. Our attendance continues to rise. We have an increase of 1,100 additional check-ins from this time last year. Our online registration system is working well. 85% of participants for our newest trip registered online. The volunteer program has been well received, and we are actively recruiting for new volunteers. Lastly, Senior Activities Center Assistant Callie Draper has submitted her resignation. Here last day is September 19 or earlier if her baby arrives before then. Events Elk RiverFest was held on Saturday, July 26. Attendance was high during the daytime portion even with the hot temps and humidity. Data indicates roughly 5,000 attendees over the course of the day. The evening concert attendance was less than hoped for, but those that did attend were very complimentary of the location near the lake. Farmers Market attendance has been high with a great selection of vendors. Power of Produce will run through August 28. Sports/Programs All summer programs and camps will end tomorrow. We had another successful season of camps and programs. A special thank you to our Summer Intern Taylor Ryan for all her hard work and dedication to these programs. Fall field use will pick up rapidly in the coming weeks as baseball, softball, and football will be in full swing. There are tournaments scheduled every weekend with Labor Day weekend as the sole exception. The fall season of the Breakaway Youth Hockey League will begin tomorrow. Several teams will have their first practice. After that, all teams in this league will play eight (8) games through mid-September. We have 203 kids that make up 16 teams in this rec-style league. The FT Center will provide concessions during the fall adult softball league games through their Overlook Catering operation. We believe this will be a great addition to our league and entice more teams to sign up in the future with great food options on site. Registration was still open for fall ball, but we anticipate that we will have 10-12 teams for the 6-week season. This league is our test run to determine the feasibility for operating during future leagues. Vandalism Some random vandalism was discovered at Trott Brook Park, Orono Park, and Plants and Things Recreation Complex. A rented porta potty unit was destroyed at Trott Brook. A recently planted tree was uprooted there and Page 40 of 44