Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/11/2008

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Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated the City Council approved the drinking fountain and misting station at its April 26th meeting. . Rum River Scout Camp Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated staff has learned the camp may be for sale and staff is in the process of determining if there is any value to the City in purchasing the camp. . Fall athletics and park usage Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated staff is gearing up for the fall season and is in the process of striping several of the fields. . Happy Days event Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated the Happy Days event is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th. Commissioner Shryock stated she would like to see the Park and Recreation Commission have a booth at the Happy Days event and to have trail maps available for residents at this booth; she suggested the Commission include this in its 2009 goals. Chairperson Johns concurred. . Sunfish Lake Park Parks Supervisor Riverblood stated he met with Dr. Kristin Geret Anoka Ramsey Community . College to discuss a Service Learning Project for the fall semester that includes developing interpretive signage and information for a web site about ecological concepts for a new, natural resource-based park on Sunfish Lake. He explained the project includes investigating six different ecological concepts and communicating those concepts to the general public, designing six interpretive signs for permanent placement at Sunfish Lake Park, and developing information that can be linked to the Park's website to guide guest visits and learning experiences at the park. He stated the students will spend 15-20 hours per person on the project and will include an oral presentation of the interpretive sign design to the Park and Recreation Commission. He stated this project presents a great opportunity for the students as well as the City and will serve to build and fosterfuture service projects. . Other Parks Supervisor Riverblood reported he recently learned that Americorp has provided a grant for eight positions; one of these positions will be placed with Youth First and another position will be placed with the City. He explained these positions involve 250-500 hours of service and the City is structuring its position to be a volunteer coordinator position with the goal of doing a better job of recognizing the many volunteers that perform work for the City. Park and Recreation Commission/September 11, 2008 Page 9 of 10