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<br />rei -\.J <br />( ); <br />~lil <br /> <br />ITEM 6.2. <br /> <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Mayor & City Council <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />Pat KIa..... City A~tor <br /> <br />January 30,1995 1/7 <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Lion's Park <br /> <br />About twelve years ago, a number of parties combined their efforts to begin the Lion's <br />Park project. The intention of everyone in 1983 was to develop a community park <br />without fields for organized league activities. <br /> <br />The City has recently again been approached by the youth soccer organization regarding <br />the need to develop more recreation fields. The City (staff and Park & Recreation <br />Commission) has suggested Lion's Park as a location for soccer fields, but this use of <br />Lion's Park is inconsistent with the intent twelve years ago when the park land was <br />purchased. Attached for your information is some background material from 1983 on <br />how Lion's Park came into existence. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />The City does not know how much money or manpower was contributed by the Lion's <br />Club for the purchase and development of Lion's Park, but it is assumed to be a <br />substantial amount. Some information on this level of participation most likely will be <br />offered by Lion's Club members at the 1/30/95 meeting. <br /> <br />The Council should also note that in 1984, a $105,000 state grant was obtained for the <br />development of Lion's Park. This grant was matched by over $105,000 worth of City <br />funds and manpower and equipment. After the completion of the grant, the City has <br />continued to spend money on the development and maintenance of this park including the <br />construction of picnic shelters and the installation of pathway lights. <br /> <br />If any organized athletics are to take place in Lion's Park, soccer would seem to be the <br />least intrusive to the park and its future. By creating soccer fields, the City would be <br />stabilizing a section of the peat soils in the park and creating a flat, usable surface. If this <br />took place and a different soccer complex was constructed at a later date, this area of the <br />park could easily be reconverted into a passive recreational use. There are no fences, <br />backstops, etc., required for the installation of soccer fields. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Everyone seems to agree that Lion's Park is underutilized at this time. Soccer activities <br />in this park would certainly increase the use ofthis facility. Nonetheless, organized <br />league soccer activities are contrary to the original concept of how this park would be <br />used. <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-7420. Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br />