HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.a. Parks and Recreation Happenings� " ROSEMOUNT
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting: July 27, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Parks and Recreation Happenings
AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Dan Schultz, Parks & Recreation Director
AGENDA NO.
7 a.
ATTACHMENTS: None
APPROVED BY: dls
RECOMMENDED ACTION: None, discussion only.
Family Resource Center Addition — The final punch list items and a few warranty issues are being
finished up at the Family Resource Center. 360 Communities are still working through some of the
challenges of operating in a new building but are happy to have the extra space.
Rosemount Fall Food Truck Fest - City staff continue to plan for the 2020 Food Truck Fest that is
scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 19. Current State Covid —19 mandates do not allow large
gatherings of over 250 people. Staff are considering other options for the hosting this event but due to the
limit of 250 people and the requirements for cleaning and socially distancing participants, it has been
challenging. More to come in August.
Recreation Center Planning — Staff will provide a verbal update to the Commission with regards to the
City's efforts to development a multipurpose recreation center.
Skate Park Planning — The construction of the skate park should be coming to close in the next few
weeks (weather dependent). The crews have been on site daily and are making great progress on the
project. Staff is starting to work on plans for a ribbon cutting but a date has not yet been set yet.
Park/Trailhead Building — The City is working ISG Engineering/Architects to design the proposed
park/trailhead building that we plan to partner on with the Dakota County on at the Flint Hills Athletic
Complex. Staff expects the building to sery a dual purpose. First it will be a restroom/concessions facility
for the green fields at Flint Hills and the second purpose would be a trailhead for the Rosemount
Greenway. The greenway connects Lebanon Hills Regional Park with Spring lake Park Regional Park. The
concept shown below is a recent building that was constructed in a park in South St. Paul. Staff expects
that our building could be similar in the size of their building.
Commission Project Priority List — The Parks and Recreation Commission annually discusses what
projects they would like to place a priority on throughout the parks and recreation system. The most
recent list is shown below. Staff would like to discuss reviewing and possibly updating the list:
• Flint Hills Athletic Fields — Phase 1 — 4 natural grass fields (we currently have funding for
this phase); Phase 2 — 1 artificial turf field with lights, a track and dome, and pickle ball
courts; Phase 3 — Concession stand.
• UMore Ball Field Project — 3 fields and concession stand.
• Central Park — Plaza, fire pit and playground.
• Skate Park Equipment Replacement — New pad and equipment.
• Restore Natural Resources in Carroll's Woods/Schwarz Pond Park — Develop a natural
resources management plan and restore the natural resources/remove buckthorn.
• Addition of a Full -Size Indoor Ice Sheet — Develop a new full-size ice sheet.
0 Indoor Court Space — Develop a multi -court facility.
Summer Ice, Summer Recreation Programs and Facility Rentals - The summer ice use at RCC has
been steady since being allowed to open to skaters. We have hit a few bumps in the road with summer
camps who are renting from us as a couple skaters have gotten Covid —19 and they have had to limit their
use of the ice sheet.
The Summer Recreation Programming has been very different in 2020 but we are still able to offer some
of our more popular programs. Kids Corner, Concerts in the Park and a Youth Specialty Camp.
Participation numbers are down from what would be considered a "regular" year, but people are still
participating.
Facility rentals have really been slowed by the restriction but in place by the State for gathering of people.
Just about all events have been cancelled by the renter due to the limitations on guest numbers.
The Steeple Center re -opened its doors recently to a limited number of senior programs, having
implemented several new safety precautions. These include but are not limited to: requiring pre-
registration for all programs, completing a symptom screening for everyone upon entering the building,
requiring masks for program participants and instructors, spacing everyone out a minimum of 6' apart,
limiting the amount of time that groups meet, and limiting group sizes to 10 or less per room. Returning
programs included Yoga, SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life) fitness class, Driver Safety, and select
social groups. Through the power of technology, we were able to offer many of the programs in a hybrid
format with some participating in person and some joining in from home using Zoom. We were also able
to accommodate larger groups in person by splitting into multiple rooms and connecting them via
Zoom. This has allowed us to deliver programs to people who may not have otherwise had access to
them. Despite all the changes, the return of these programs has been very well received by participants.
Horseshoe Lake Park — The City has taken over the maintenance at Horseshoe Lake in the Bella Vista
neighborhood. The trail on the east side of the park will be installed with the 7`' Addition of the Bella
Vista subdivision.
Haunted Woods Trail - The Rosemount Haunted Trail is held annually in October at Central Park. The
event usually attracts between 3,000 — 4,500 people. The event committee will make a decision regarding
the 2020 event most likely in early September.