Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/15/2008

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CASE -# a REVIEW 2007 - 2008 WINTER MAINTENENCE SEASON By: Mark Riverblood, Parks Supervisor Background: The purpose of this case is to review the past winters' skating season and to summarize how this activity relates to other winter maintenance activities like snow removal. As the Committee will recall, each December when the weather turns cold enough, staff begins flooding the ice rinks 'round-the-clock' with the goal of opening our primary skating facilities the Friday that begins winter break for the school districts. The season typically goes from mid December through mid-February. In addition to the myriad of minor tasks occurring each winter, Park's staff also plows streets, trails and sidewalks - and uses the winter period for park and street tree pruning. Observations: This past winter, in addition to the facilities at Central Park and Ramsey Elementary; there was also ice made at Rivers Bend and the Youth First Ramsey Neighborhood. Feedback from residents found that Bear Park was again greatly appreciated. In terms of this winter's skating season, three records were broken. The first was the season duration with opening day on December 21 st, with the last day an unprecedented March 9t\ 2008. In addition to the 79 day total season, only one full day was too cold to open the warming houses; (typically full-day closures are from a few days to a total of more than a week). The most exciting record to report is that total warming house patronage was up about 48%! Rink Attendants logged 2,968 visitors at Central Park (up about 15%) and more than double the visitors at the School with 4,572 skaters this winter. At the meeting, staffwill also speak to other winter projects, and briefly discuss the success of the Department of Corrections work crew in winter maintenance projects. Action: No action required PW: 04/15/08