03-07-2022
PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION MEETING
March 07, 2022
7:00 PM
Fridley Civic Center -7071 University Avenue
N.E.
AGENDA
Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Meeting Minutes
1.February 7, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
New Business
2.49er Days Event and Committee Update by President Gordon Backlund
Old Business
Staff Reports
3.Fridley Parks and Recreation Division Report
4.Springbrook Nature Center Report
5.Park Maintenance and Construction Report
Adjournment
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:March7,2022 Meeting Type:Parks and RecreationCommission
Submitted By:Mike Maher, Community Services Director
Title
February 7, 2022Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
Background
Attached are the meeting minutes of the February 7, 2022Parks and Recreation Commission.
Financial Impact
None.
Recommendation
Staff recommend the approval of the February 7, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission minutes.
Attachments and Other Resources
February 7, 2022 Parks and Recreation Minutes.
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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PARK COMMISSION MEETING
February 7, 2022
7:00 PM
Fridley Civic Campus, 7071 University Avenue N.E.
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Heinzcalled the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 7:00p.m.
PRESENT
Mike Heintz
Eric Evanson
Peter Borman
Ryan Gerhard
Ken Schultz
Mike Maher, Director of Community Services
APPROVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 7,2022
MOTION by CommissionerSchultzto APPROVE the February 7,2022meeting agenda. SECONDED
by CommissionerEvanson. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
APPROVE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FOR JANUARY 4,2022
MOTION by CommissionerBormanto APPROVE the January 4,2022meeting minutes. SECONDED
by CommissionerEvanson. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS
A.Anoka County SHIP Grant for Fridley Bike Fleet
Mike Maher, Director of Community Services,stated that the City of Fridley has the opportunity to
accept a SHIP grant for a fleet of bicycles that could be used for recreational programing and
provided additional details on thegrant andproposed program.
The Commission asked about ongoing maintenance of the fleet, whether there would be
opportunities to use the bikes in the winter months, the number of bikes that would be considered
to be a fleet, and whether helmets would be part of the fleet. It was also asked as to how Fridley was
selected for the grant.
Mr. Maher provided options for ongoing maintenanceandpossible winter use of the fleet. He
estimatedbetween 15 to 20 bicycles in the fleetand confirmed that helmets would be an eligible
expense. He stated that although they envision partnerships with other communities as part of the
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Park Commission 02/07/2022 Minutes Page 2
program, they have not delved into the details of what those agreements may look like. He explained
that staff has explored alternative programing options and in discussion with Anoka County found
out the City would be eligible for the grant.
MOTION by Commissioner Schultz to support the Anoka County SHIP Grant for the Fridley Bike Fleet.
SECONDED by Commissioner Evanson. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
STAFF REPORTS
A.!Fridley Parks and Recreation Division Report
Mr. Maher reviewed highlights from the report.
B.!Springbrook Nature Center Report
Mr. Maher provided a summary of the report.
C.!Park Maintenance and Construction Report
Mr. Maher reviewed the written report. He provided details on the cross-country ski trail locations,
noting that they are being utilized.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Borman made the MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:34 p.m., SECONDED by
Commissioner Evanson. The MOTION PASSED unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Staple
Recording Secretary
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:March, 7, 2022 Meeting Type:Parks and RecreationCommission
Submitted By:Mike Maher, Director of Community Services
Title
49er Days Event and Committee Updateby President Gordon Backlund
Background
The Fridley 49er Days Festival is a community tradition in Fridley since 1974. The festival is planned and
organized by a non-profit Board of community members. The City of Fridley staff supports the event by
providing space, planning and logistical support.
Committee President Gordon Backlund will provide an update on the status of the event planning,
sponsorships, and areas where volunteers may be needed.
Financial Impact
The 49er Days Committee raises the funds needed to run the parade and festival. The City of Fridley
provides staff from the Parks and Recreation Division, Public Works Department and Public Safety
Department to contribute to the success and safety of the event.
Recommendation
No action is requested from the Commission at this time.
Attachments and Other Resources
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:March7,2022 Meeting Type:Parks and RecreationCommission
Submitted By:Margo Numedahl, Recreation Division Manager
Title
Fridley Parks and Recreation Division Report
Background
Attached are highlights from the Recreation Division from February2022.
Financial Impact
None.
Recommendation
None
Attachments and Other Resources
Recreation Division Highlights: February2022
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Recreation Division:February 2022
WinterPrograms
Winterprograms began inthe end of January.Below isanupdated
list ofJanuary-Februaryprograms and participation
numbers.Spring classes begin in March, we are currently taking
registrations.
PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY
Games Galore (2 classes) 8
ADULT FITNESS & ATHLETICS
Zumba (2 classes)
18
Aqua Zumba11
Pickleball Skills & Drills (5Fridley;5SLP)10
ALL AGES
ROX Box Funny Valentine
5
Ice Fishingfor Beginners3
Passion Pursuit9
Parks and Recreation Brochure
TheMarch-April brochurewas mailed to residents beginning on
February 22. This brochure contains spring and summer programs.
Class Registrations
Our newest brochure and e-newsletter came out on 2/22/22 and
we saw an immediate increase in class registrations for Spring &
Summer2022.We think that part of the increase is due to local
schools being held in person again, along with declining Covid
cases in the community. This edition is our largest brochure of
the year and features programs from March to August.
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Winter Pop-up
Due to cold weather, we had to reschedule our original Commons Park Pop-Up from Saturday,
2/12 to Thursday, 2/17. We had a total of 20 families come out to enjoy sledding, free use of ice
cocoa & hot apple cider, and wheel of fun/prizes. Our next Winter
Pop-
Summer
summer day camp program. This
year we will be offering online registration for the camp, and kids can attend one week or all
10. Online registration is all set-up, online web materials are published, and we are ready to go
for our March 1 rollout. A variety of fun and different morning classes are planned for each day,
along with Wednesday field trips for kids in grades K-7.
Adopt-A-Park
-A-Park in
2022. Registration will open to new groups in early March and we are planning an April kickoff
Park Shelter Reservations
We have seen an uptick in reservationsmany are thinking spring and planning ahead to
reserve the Commons Park Shelter.
Team Leadership Series
Leaders Mike Maher, Tara Rogness and Margo Numedahl created a leadership series for the
employees of the Community Services Division. Our first meeting in the series was held at
Springbrook Nature Center on 2/11 and focused on what makes a leader, coaching and
mastering the art of negative feedback. It was a great start to the series and well-received by all
employees that participated. The next event in the series will occur in March.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:March7,2022 Meeting Type:Parks and RecreationCommission
Submitted By:Tara Rogness, Springbrook Nature Center Manager
Title
Springbrook Nature CenterReport
Background
Attached is theFebruary2022update from Springbrook Nature Center
Financial Impact
None.
Recommendation
None
Attachments and Other Resources
Springbrook Nature CenterFebruary2022Update
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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Springbrook Nature Center
Park & Rec Commission Report
February Highlights
Naturalists have been teaching Stevenson and Hayes third
graders about insulation for warm blooded creatures and
snowshoeing techniques. The weather has certainly helped
us test our insulative properties.
th
Fridley Middle School 7 graders are starting up their
module on Ecology. They have learned about the basics of
healthy ecosystems by playing a nature center developed
card game. Next, they will learn about ecological
relationships and perform a lab that simulates interactions
found in nature (predation, competition, feeding preferences like generalism and niche-feeding, etc.).
To round out the module, they will travel to SNC for a game of Predator Prey that spans a large area of
the nature center.
rd
Adams Elementary 3 graders are also learning about snowshoes, exploring the natural areas on school
grounds, finding animal signs and tracks galore.
stnd
1 and 2 graders at Park Terrace have been learning about a variety of topics during their afterschool
enrichment programs with Naturalists Cody and Ren.
Interpretive Program Coordinators, Dina Cyrus and Cody Rossetti are in the process of hiring seasonal
naturalist staff. We hope to have our summer staff in place soon. Hiring this season has been much
more challenging this year than in the past.
th
from 6:30 8:30. Nearly 45 individuals
braved frigid temperatures to explore the park by lantern light.
st
Summer camp registration opened on January 31 to record numbers of registrants. Within the first 24
hours, all of our 5-6 year old and 7-9 year old camps were full. We still have some 10-12 year old spots
available, check out the SNC website for more information (www.springbrooknaturecenter.org)
Upcoming this Winter
Snowshoes are now available for rent as long as the snowpack holds. For just $5 per pair, you can float
over snowdrifts and explore new and different areas of Springbrook.
th
ed to offer another Lantern Light Hike on Friday, March 11 from 6:30 8:30. Multiple trails
Snowshoes will also be available for rent while supplies last. (Volunteers are needed for this event, if
you are interested, please reach out to Cody Rossetti
(cody.rossetti@fridleymn.gov).
Junior Leaders are back! Do you know a teenager
between the ages of 13 and 18 who likes to hang out
with kids outside? We are looking for youth to
volunteer a week at a time to help with the summer
camp program. More information can be found on our
website: www.springbrooknaturecenter.org
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Grants
Springbrook is working with the Recreation division on an Anoka County SHIP grant. We are excited to
be looking at purchasing a fleet of bikes that will be utilized in all kinds of innovative programming
across both divisions.
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AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date:March 7,2022 Meeting Type:Parks and RecreationCommission
Submitted By:Jeff Jensen, Operations Manager Streets, Parks, and Facilities
Title
Park Maintenance and Construction Report
Background
Attached is the Park Maintenance and Construction report forFebruary2022.
Financial Impact
None.
Recommendation
None.
Attachments and Other Resources
Park Maintenance Report February2022
Vision Statement
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses.
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MEMORANDUM
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