MARION PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT M E M O R A N D U M October 17, 2013 TO: Marion City Council FROM: Mike Carolan SUBJECT: SEPTEMBER PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT Park Board Activity Approved updated rate chart for mowing properties in violation of the tall grass/weed ordinance. The Matt Dunkel Memorial piece was discussed; the Board approved the preferred location for the placement of the memorial to be at City Square Park. The Pavilion rental season was approved to be extended to October 31st each year. Parks Operations Report Mowing and trimming operations have been reduced, including mowing complaints. CITIZEN REQUESTS: There were six citizen requests regarding weed violations during September and park staff mowed one of the properties that remained in violation after proper notice and one property that has been placed on a regular schedule. Swamp Fox Festival set up, tear down, and cleanup at the City Square Park and Lowe Park for the many scheduled events. Making sure the parks looked their best and any public safety concerns were addressed. Draining and winterizing the pool and splash pad. Over seeding and fertilizing at the Lowe Amphitheater and ball diamonds. Rex’s Custom Concrete has poured the curbs and deck of the Thomas Park Basketball Court/Ice Rink. A sealant will be applied to the concrete to protect against water damage. The basketball goals will be set and back filling will be completed next. 1 | P a g e Watering of trees, gardens and high use green spaces throughout the city. (Picture above left.) Finished bio swale project at City Hall; Creekside Garden designed and placed plantings and added mulch to the area. (Picture above middle.) Tree plantings included 11 trees at the Lowe Ball Diamonds, 38 trees for the Fall Street Tree Project, and 8 trees at Willowood Park/Pool. (Picture above right.) Two rolle bolle courts were constructed in Willow Park. Rolle bolle is an old European game developed by the Belgians shortly after the reformation and passed on through generations. The game is similar to horseshoes, ten pin bowling, and bocce ball. The rolle is pictured at right. Our court in Marion is the first public rolle bolle court in Linn County. Recreation/Aquatics Report PeeWee football for K-1st grades finished at the end of September. The 2nd to 5th grade football games will be done mid-October. Basketball sign up deadline is October 18th. The Pool has been winterized by staff. There will be some repairs done to the Pool this fall by Kane Waterproofing; they will break out and replace12 corners. Staff have done temporary fixes to the corners over the years but they continue to be potential hazards noted by the Health Department. (Picture at left.) A pool canal gate that controls water flow from the surge tank to the filter pit has worn out and will be replaced this fall. The Water Department will assist with installation. (Picture at right.) 2 | P a g e There is a new art gallery exhibit at the Arts & Environmental Center featuring work by Lianne Westcot and Susan Kennicott. The artists reception will be held on October 17th. The Arts Council is lining up performers for the winter Coffee House Nights. Truck Stop Souvenir will be performing at the season kick off on December 6th. Administration Report Art Trail: The first meeting of the newly formed art trail committee has been scheduled for October 10th. CBD Tree Trimming: Tree removals and trimming in Central Business District is just about complete. Trees along City Square Park and at the Maid Rite remain to be trimmed. 10th Street Tree Planting: The fall tree planting event along 10th Street that was scheduled for October 15th has been rescheduled to October 25th at 1:45 p.m. Amphitheater Update: Kleiman Construction has completed 80% of the stage construction. Installations of the mosaic art tile and screen wall remain to be completed. Trey Electric continues work on the trail bollards and stage lighting. Barnes Manufacturing plans to be on site and start installation of the canopy on October 14th weather permitting. Tree planting will take place the first week of November. At this time, the project remains on schedule for a December 1st completion. Personnel: Trudy Stenersen, our newly hired administrative assistant, will be leaving us in November; Trudy and her family are relocating to the east coast. The department has already started the search for Trudy’s replacement. Friends of the Cemetery: The newly formed Friends of Oak Shade Cemetery group is meeting on a regular basis. Future projects for the group include assisting the parks staff with fall clean up, maintaining the perennial flowers beds, headstone repairs, researching genealogy and cemetery history. Cemetery: There was one burial in September. Emerald Ash Borer: The Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered in Mechanicsville, Iowa. The Marion Tree Board will be meeting on October 9th and will be discussing the need for the development of an action plan to respond to this invasive insect. Master Gardeners: The Linn County Master Gardeners are researching the possibility of starting an orchard at Lowe Park. Park staff will be meeting with the group in the near future to work out the details of the project. Legion Parking Lot Upgrades: The Parks and Engineering departments are developing a plan for upgrades to the parking lot. $70,000 has been budgeted for these upgrades and will included new asphalt and painted parking stalls. The project will be scheduled for next spring or early summer. 3 | P a g e PAVILION RESERVATIONS – SEPTEMBER Pavilion Free Paid TOTAL Attendance* Thomas Park – Green 0 18 18 660 Thomas Park – English 0 11 11 830 Hanna Park 0 11 11 605 City Park - Depot 11 4 15 160 Taube Park 0 7 7 192 TOTALS 11 51 62 2,447 *Does not include attendees to the Marion Farmer’s Market and Swamp Fox Festival. ARTS CENTER RESERVATIONS - SEPTEMBER Room Paid Free Sunburst 3 12 Hickory 5 21 White Oak 4 4 Red Oak 2 0 Red & White Oak 7 5 Entire Facility 2 0 TOTALS* 23 42 *Above numbers do not reflect Arts Council and Recreation activities. Activity Type** Monthly Usage Number of Attendees Building Visitors 35 Gallery Open / Arts 4 70 Council Activities Congregate Meals 20 Not available Seniors Bingo 4 60 Senior Dance 8 200 Senior Cards 12 150 Parks / Recreation 16 Not available Meetings / Work Event 9 710 Blood Drive 1 30 Hip Hop 4 120 Family Gatherings 2 100 Rehearsal Dinner 4 235 Wedding & Reception 3 200 Reception 0 0 TOTALS 87 1,840 **Some reservations use more than one room. 4 | P a g e .