Laserfiche WebLink
'i('''*. .„ <br /> c"t °f Memorandum <br /> River <br /> To: Parks and Recreation Commission <br /> From: Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director <br /> Date: September 10,2014 <br /> Subject: Director's Report <br /> Summer Concert Series <br /> The concert series had a successful season, even considering two of the concerts had to move <br /> indoors. This included the last concert with a Beatles tribute band. The group Hard Day's night <br /> wound up closing the 10-week run of the eighth summer of free Thursday night concerts.The threat <br /> of rain forced the concert indoor to the Arena. However, the more than 800 people that turned up <br /> made it the largest indoor crowd for the concert series. <br /> The 2014 series included the Fabulous Armadillos, drawing the biggest crowd ever at the River's <br /> Edge Commons Park. An estimated 2,500 people crammed the park to hear the St. Cloud group's <br /> 60's to 80's rock music on July 31 in their first appearance to Elk River. All of the band members <br /> are full time professional musicians and this was noticed and highly praised by the crowd. <br /> Total attendance was similar to last year's record breaking year of over 10,000 people. <br /> Bailey Point Nature Preserve <br /> We received positive feedback from the public at the July 9 work session for various park amenities <br /> to the Bailey Point Nature Preserve. Paving of the current parking lot,road entrance and an <br /> entrance trail was identified as a priority for the Bailey Point master plan. Therefore, City Council <br /> did approve paving for the parking lot at the August 18 Council meeting. <br /> The project cost will be offset by recent park donations received for Bailey Point Nature Preserve. <br /> About a dozen members of the Bailey family donated$20,000 to be used for improvements. The <br /> donations were acknowledged by City Council with a resolution. A list of the park improvements <br /> identified at the July 9 work session will be presented to the Park Commission at an upcoming work <br /> session. <br /> Park Improvement Fund Work Session <br /> Staff is recommending a work session on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30 pm to discuss project <br /> priorities for the Park Improvement Fund. The Parks and Recreation Master Plan process and <br /> Commission work sessions should assist with this effort. <br /> reitREI IT <br /> N:\Departments\Parks and Recreation\Commission\Packets\2014\09-10-14 PRC Packet\Directors Report 9-10-14.docx NATURE <br />