Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/12/2019

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Commissioner Leistico Bend, and she also asked about high water issues during times of flooding. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded that flooding used to occur only a few days during spring flood events, but now it happens more regularly. The park is not closed to people, but it is closed to vehicular traffic. It could potentially cause access issues shelter. He noted the water issues are used to be concentrated through the spring but do occasionally happen throughout the year. Commissioner Leistico asked about the usage of the park. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded Rivers Bend is used more than any other park during the day. A lot of that has to do with density of residents around it. Additionally, it is very convenient to a lot of high school students traveling to and from school. It is also near a business area, so that many folks use it as a lunch spot. In the evening, there can be athletic activity, and seniors are there appreciating the tennis courts during the week. If there is a tournament at Central or Elmcrest, the numbers will exceed that. But the daily individual patrons generally the highest in the park system. Commissioner Sis asked about expanding the canoe and kayak rental program along the river for more frequent recreation on the river. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood indicated that could be a possibility. However, there are two factors in play: the boat landing at the fair grounds is open and only 5 or 6 thousand feet away, with adequate parking so that is a good spot for those activities. Also, the high flow in the river during flood conditions could potentially create an issue for folks in canoes or kayaks. Lake Itasca may potentially be the better spot. Chair Bennett stated the easiest points to begin on this project may be with signage, since current signage is so difficult to see. He asked if signage would be considered a new project or a renovation. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood responded that signage falls within the Capital Maintenance Fund. The monument replacement cost will be $2,000-$10,000. The question is whether Council is open to signage that might be unique to the park or whether the Council will want something that is wholly consistent with what is being done City-wide. Those preferences will determine the price tag. Commissioner Barnes asked about the material of the sign. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood explained that signs are often far more expensive than one would expect, and anything beyond a more basic sign will easily be in the upper end of the stated range. Chair Bennett asked about the north shelter near the playground. Park and Recreation Commission/September 12, 2019 Page 3 of 6