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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 />8.2 <br />Agenda Section <br />Discussion <br />Meeting Date <br />August 12, 2020 <br />Prepared by <br />Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director <br />Item Description <br />Athletic Field and Parkland Analysis <br />Reviewed by <br />Cal Portner, City Administrator <br />Reviewed by <br /> <br /> <br />Action Requested <br />Discussion of city’s athletic facilities <br /> <br />Background/Discussion <br />The Parks and Recreation Master Plan adopted by City Council June of 2015 provides direction for the <br />Council, Commission, and staff to guide them in the big picture decision making such as the <br />improvements that have been made in our park system from Rivers Edge Commons Park, Woodland <br />Trails to Orono and YAC. <br /> <br />The Parks Master Plan, page 21 Athletics, states “The city’s facilities have not kept pace with the city’s <br />growth, and the increasing demands for open field space for soccer, lacrosse and football on these fields <br />has become scarce. Youth softball and baseball programs also compete for enough field space to <br />accommodate demand.” Complicating the field demand are changes in many youth sports organizations <br />with more girls participating, the addition of an Elk River community fastpitch association and the <br />growth of lacrosse and soccer. Further, the opening of our new multipurpose field house may increase <br />the recruitment of new turf users. <br /> <br />A needs and use analysis of athletic and park facility would be helpful for not only meeting current needs, <br />but preparing for future needs. This would include reviewing current national and local trends, current <br />field configurations and athletic participation projections for all youth sports organizations during the <br />next 5-7 years. Site assessments including the conditions/needs of our current athletic fields can also <br />assist in a comprehensive study. <br /> <br />Does the Commission recommend an analysis of our athletic and park lands be reviewed? <br /> <br />Financial Impact <br />N/A <br /> <br />Attachments <br /> N/A