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Item: 7. I .A <br />MEMORANDUM <br />ver <br />TO: Parks and Recreation Commission <br />FROM: Steve Benoit, Recreation Manager <br />DATE: September I, 2010 <br />SUBJECT: City Park Hours <br />Concern has been raised in regards to activities that occur in Elk River City Parks after <br />hours. Current city ordinance states that parks are open to the public Erom 6:00 a.m. to <br />10:00 p.m. daily. There aze, however, cases where activities are operating outside that <br />timeframe. Examples of activities that are occurring after park hours include: <br />• Mountain bike riding at Hillside Park <br />• Hikers at Woodland Trails Park <br />• Disk golf at Lions Park <br />There are several factors relevant to this issue. These include: <br />• There are activities that some patrons wish to conduct outside of park hours that <br />could be considered acceptable. <br />• City staff is not consistently informed specifically when these activities are taking <br />place. <br />• Allowing activities to occur after park hours makes patrolling and enforcement more <br />difficult for the police department. <br />• There is a safety and liability concern of allowing activities in parks that are not <br />designed for night use. <br />• Currently groups can submit a permit request for activities that require special <br />attention such as operating outside of park hours. These special park uses are routed <br />through the Pazks and Recreation Commission. <br />Staff is looking for feedback from the Commission on how to approach the issue of after <br />hours park use. Possible discussion items include: <br />• Adhere to current ordinance and not allow activities to occur outside of pazk hours <br />without a permit. <br />• Adjust hours at certain parks based on use demands. This would require a change in <br />the City ordinance. <br />5:\Parks & Recreation\Recreation\9-8-10 PRC Packcr\Park Flours Memo.doc <br />