Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 03/13/2003

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Haintenance Unit Constructs Bunker Beach Playground As many of you know, the construction projects at Bunker Beach Aquatic Facility began in the fall of 2002. As the winter .approached much of the construction by the Contractors was delayed with 'the anticipation of'winter weather, The contractors projected that they would be back in full force in the spring of 2003, As luck would have it, the typical Minnesota winter- never arrived. Therefore, the Maintenance Unit decided to take advantage of this unusually warm weather to complete some of the work that was schedule to be done in-house. One of the tasks to be comPleted by the : Maintenance Unit was the construction of the Kompan "Sandworks' playground. With the cooperation of Gladstone Construction, who dug out the playground site, the staff was able to install the entire playground. There were a few challenges that the frontline staff wouldn't normally face during spring or summer installation but they were able to 'complete 85% of the structure. When dealing with the actual installation, staff had to spread straw over the entire site once it was graded to prevent frost from entering the ground. This allowed time for the staff to assemble many of the play features in the comfort of the maintenance, facility making onsite installation much easier. Connecting water lines to some of the water play features was another challenge. The staff was unable to make these connections because of the frozen ground conditionsl Without these connections being made, impact material could not be put in-place. The material was ordered and stage in a location close to the playground, in an effort to avoid dealing with road restriction in the spring. Once the water lines are in, the sand will be installed. Getting a head start on projects like these can only be beneficial for the Maintenance Unit as they head into another busy spring season. Thanks to all the staff that pulled this project together. This playground will be a great addition to the new aqUatic, center. Snow At Last Snow at last. With the arrival of snow the' Ranger Unit was finally able to open the doors of Bunker Hills Campground Visitor Center for cross-cOUntry ski rental. Earlier in the season ,the new cross-country ski . equipment was brought to the building t© equip the new' Bunker Hills crOss-country ski headquarters, (ski rentals in.previous years had taken place at the Bunker Hills golf course). - "' 'Approximately 40 sets of skies, poles, and boots were- . inventoried and marked. Ski rental policies and .procedUres were put in plaCe. Staff Was trained and. wa/ting for snow.....and waiting for Measurable snow finally arrived at last on Sunday, Febuary 2"°. On Monday, Febuary 34 the building was opened at last and waiting for skiers. The cross-country ski rental at Bunker Hills visitor center has been a success. In the past three weeks, we have rented 65 sets of skies and sold over 50 daily Ski passes and vehicle ' entv,d permits. We have also been able to greet Our parjl~ users and anSWer many questions. It was wOnderful get snow at last! T~e 8alleries at 5~ill-L°Cke wd] once a~ain ]:~ ~u~tecl ari:--some o[ t~te mcat ]Dri~]iantt9 colore~ im~inafive ima~erg to ~e seen in the ~zea- Ye~, it'., ~]~e azmual Kic~-Dc~Ar~ show'a~ ]~e~[ill-Loc!ce Cenfer ~or t~e .A~c~ w]~en [~:~e w~ll~ are over to local ckilclzen to ch~Pla§ fheir c~eafive work ~or ~amil3, ~iencl~ ant[ nei~:>or~ fo aclmire. ' 'c2c2. HelpinO to eoorclina~e []~e exkL~£tion, ~r[ ec[uca~or, ~zen $chl~el ]~as invi~ec[ sever~ area elementarg anc[ midctle scJ~ools to p~cicipate in f.~is 3ear's ~.ow incluclin~ schools in Pzic]le~), Colum]~ia Nei~h~ ~ncl. Spri~ Lake Park 'teaches art c~asses a~ Immaculate Conception ~lemen~aru3 l:rienc~:~amil§, anc~]~e pu~blic are invi~e~ ~o see t~,ework c~uri~ ]~an~dI-Locke Center ~or t]:e Arts Ballet9 I~ours, Tuesc~a~3 T~.ere will h~ &r~ separate receptions ~or t~e arf. ists: