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<br />The Elk River Vision <br />A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity <br />Request for Action <br /> <br /> <br />To <br />Parks and Recreation Commission <br />Item Number <br />8.1 <br />Agenda Section <br />Action Item <br />Meeting Date <br />October 9, 2019 <br />Prepared by <br />Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Item Description <br />Trail Condition Assessment <br />Reviewed by <br />Jenna Fabish, Assistant City Engineer <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Discussion <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the need for a sustainable funding source for trails at <br />the October 9, 2019, meeting. The Active Elk River Project includes $2 million in funding for identified <br />trail connections; however, there are approximately 25 miles of existing trails in varying conditions <br />throughout the city that need attention. Staff has been working on ideas to identify the conditions of <br />existing trails so that a trail pavement improvement program may be developed for long-term <br />maintenance. <br /> <br />Staff recently learned about the Parks and Trail Council of Minnesota’s (PTC) research bicycle. The <br />research bike is an electric bike that has the capability to record a 360-degree view of the trail segment, <br />take photos of the trail pavement and record the condition of the trail. The information is analyzed by <br />PTC staff and documenting the condition of each trail segment in a report. The report includes the <br />condition of the trail as well as photos of the trail pavement. The images from the 360-degree camera can <br />be uploaded to Google Earth. <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />An evaluation of the city’s trail system using the research bicycle is estimated to cost $8,925. Costs were <br />not budgeted for 2020. Staff recommends Commission consideration this summer along with the Park <br />Improvement Fund. <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> Proposal for Professional Services for Elk River Trail Condition Report <br /> Research Bike Examples