HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-2009 NRRC 06 Dept UpdatesCity of Hastings Parks & Recreation
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920 W 10 St, Hastings MN 55033
Ph: (651) 480-6175
Fax: (651) 437-5396
Web: www.ci.hastings.mn.us
“Creating Community Through People, Parks, and Programs”
Natural Resources and Recreation Commission
Departmental Updates – March & April, 2009
Parks Maintenance Activities
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The outdoor ice rink season has been completed for the year. The 64-day long season was very high
quality when we compare it to past records.
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Three of our maintenance staff completed pesticide certification training. One of these employees is a
newly certified turf and grounds pesticide applicator.
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The department joined with Public Works to complete a Tree Worker Safety Training on February 25.
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Our maintenance staff has started late winter tree pruning and removal operations. Work is already
complete at Lions Park and trail, Riverwood Park, and along the trail connection from 31 Street to the
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Vermillion River.
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Two additional snow events have required the crew to plow trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. Some
overtime work was necessary due to the snow fall timing and events at the Civic Arena and LeDuc.
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After reviewing bids from four portable toilet rental & service companies, we have decided to continue
with Nature Calls in 2009.
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The Lake Rebecca aeration system was turned off on March 16. Ice out on the lake was March 24
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and all the thin ice signs have been retrieved.
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Our maintenance staff has completed late winter tree pruning and removal operations. Shrubs are
being done now and staff continues to remove volunteer trees in problem areas.
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The work to prepare the Aquatic Center for the summer has begun and we expect to turn on the water
in the building next Monday.
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Athletic fields are being prepared for use as the weather allows. Most of the ball fields have been
leveled with heavy equipment and bases are in place.
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Perennial flower beds such as the 2 Street Hill location have been cleaned this spring.
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All the trails which we plow during the winter have been swept.
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The two pick up trucks declared as excess equipment and advertised are to be sold to the highest
bidder. The titles will be transferred as soon as the check clears.
Warming Houses
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Closed for the season on Monday, February 16, 2009.
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Total attendance: 5,440
Pioneer Park=2,501, Wallin Park=1,095, Lions Park=1,047, Arena=596, Wilson=104, and
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Isabel=97
Hastings Family Aquatic Center
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Re-Hire letters to forty 2008 staff went out February 23, 2009.
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Accepted employment applications until March 20, 2009 and interviews were conducted the week of
April 6.
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Swim Lesson registration began March 23, 2009.
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Working on bid process with Aquatic Design Solutions for plaster project.
Civic ArenaAquatic CenterYouth First
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2801 Red Wing Blvd. 901 Maple Street 920 W 10 Street
Ph: (651) 480-6195 Ph: (651) 480-2392 Ph: (651) 480-6182
Fax: (651) 437-4940 Fax: (651) 437-5396 Fax: (651) 437-5396
Civic Arena
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There were 2,285.75 hours of ice used from 8/10/08 – 3/15/09.
Youth Hockey used 1,552 hours
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High School Hockey used 367 hours
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Public Skates used 212.75 hours
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Public Hockey used 135 hours
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Figure Skating Lessons used 19 hours
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New turf is in and play began 3/23/09 with Lacrosse, Soccer and Baseball.
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Started off seasonal maintenance.
Recreation
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The dodge ball league is running well with 8 teams participating. Playoffs will be held the week of April
13.
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Field scheduling for the season has begun. The fields should be ready to use next week.
Youth First
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Hastings Youth First had an extremely active Spring Break with the involvement in Alternative Spring
Break ‘09. This was a collaborative effort with Community Ed, YMCA, and United Way to provide a
positive experience for youth who stayed in town for their spring break. Of course, it had a service
aspect to it with things including work at Carpenters Nature Center, the Lewis House, and Feed my
Starving Children. Each day also had a fun activity such as Geo Caching, Bowling, and a trip to
Nickelodeon Universe at MOA. We had over 18 children participate and look for this to grow in coming
years.
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Local Jams are considered to be a good success! Our next is April 9, 2009 with bands including The
Stalls, doorstotomorrow, and Matt Bruch-Anderson. The proceeds from these jams have been
dedicated to a local scholarship. Youth from Youth Planning Council chose their first scholarship
recipient last week. All, including myself, wished there was more money for scholarships!
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Celebrate Youth Week plans are underway for 2009. This year we will be holding the Mock Car Crash
on May 13, 2009. All HHS students will be ushered outside for a reenactment of a drinking and
driving accident where people are killed. If you are available to join us for the Mock Crash, it is held at
HHS on the west end of the school close to the bus corral. The date has been set for Wednesday, May
13, at 9:50 AM. In case of rain, we will postpone to the following day, May 14.
Recycling
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An Arbor Day Celebration will be held on Friday, April 24 at 1:00 PM in Levee Park. The Arbor Day
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Proclamation will be read and trees, grasses, and flowers will be planted. The public is welcome to
attend. Please contact the City Forester, Paul Mahoney, with any questions at 480-6177.
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An Earth Day Celebration will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Hastings
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Civic Arena. New this year will be a poster contest for all Hastings’ fifth graders highlighting the theme
“Why Earth Day is Important to Me.” We will also have a company called Pioneer SecureShred onsite
in the parking lot to shred and recycle confidential documents that people bring in. The MOMS club
has partnered with the City to recycle old crayons, and many other local groups will be on-hand to
show people how to make greener choices.
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This year’s annual Spring Clean Up will be held on Saturday, April 25 at the Public Works facility
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from 9:00-1:00. A household hazardous waste drop-off will also be included, as in year’s past, with
assistance from Dakota County.