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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-2009 NRRC 06 Dept Updates City of Hastings Parks & Recreation th 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 – June, 2009 Parks Maintenance Activities ? Staff is currently spending additional time tending to the water needs of trees, shrubs and turf. With the reduced rainfall all irrigation systems are being used, our City Forester uses the tanker truck for trees and shrubs and the new manual sprinklers are run twice a week at Pioneer Park. ? The Wetland Health Evaluation Project team has started the survey program for the year. They are collecting data on the same sites as last year in order to make comparisons over time. ? Our department worked with 10 volunteer groups this spring on clean up projects throughout the system. It is great to have so many people willing to pitch in and help clean the parks. ? The number of seasonal maintenance staff has been revised slightly. We have now hired one more to fill in for the lost full timer. We are also having one more worker from June 17- August 19. This worker will be paid through a Tree Trust internship program. ? Many party wagon & park reservations are being taken care of by our staff. We make every effort to handle all the work we can during the work week, but since many of these events are on weekends some overtime is required. ? Staff is currently working to install 3 additional donated park benches. These benches were funded by the following families: Metzger, Hicks and Theriault. ? Forestry staff is staying up to date on the Emerald Ash Borer problem. The pest is not known to be present in Hastings but due to news media reports of its’ arrival in Minnesota we have had many calls. Concerns about the insect are justified and we are taking steps to be prepared. ? The summer youth Tree Trust crew will be starting June 17 and we are having them work on projects th at Riverwood Park and Veteran’s Athletic Complex. Hastings Family Aquatic Center ? HFAC opened on May 30th. Attendance has been low. Hoping for warmer weather the next several weeks for the first full days of the season. Hastings Family Aquatic Center ? Lowering the Infared Heat system in the East arena 22’ to 16’, also have the 5 burner service. ? Cleaning all parts to the system, pipes and shields. ? Fall ice to start 8/16/9 and run for 8 weeks. Recreation ? Softball is well on its way and we are up 3 teams from the 2008 season. ? Kickball started last Sunday, May 31 and Monday, June 1. We have 11 teams signed up through stst Hastings which is up 7 teams from last year. ? A beautiful May 31 marked the date for the Hastings City Cycle special event. City Cycle gave 23 st participants the opportunity to learn from The Route how to properly prepare themselves and their equipment before riding as well as rider responsibilities from Officer Connell. Once we made our way through Hastings trails to Vermillion Falls, the Sierra Club as well as Hastings Parks and Recreation gave presentations on their organizations. Civic ArenaAquatic CenterYouth First th 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 Youth First May 11 – 15 was a busy week for Youth First! Annually we organize many activities in our schools for Celebrate Youth Week. The recap of Celebrate Youth Week 2009 is as follows: Monday, May 11 Cookie Distribution, Students were met at the doors of their school and offered a cookie along with a “Thanks for being a great kid!” by Hastings volunteers. Drug Awareness Speaker at HHS, 6:00 PM, over 100 community members were present. Tuesday, May 12 Seat Belt Survey 7:00 AM HHS Student lot - As students came to school they were stopped briefly to check for seatbelt usage and awarded a “Milky Way for not throwing their life away”. Red ribbons which indicate sober drivers were tied on cars at all schools. Paper chain with” I will make safe choices” began at Elementary schools. During lunch at HHS, there was a pledge board for students to sign pledging no drug or alcohol use, this was in place through Friday. Wednesday, May 13 Due to weather, Mock Crash was rescheduled to Thursday. Informative brochures about drug prevention were made available at HHS. Thursday, May 14 Due to reschedule of Mock Crash impaired vision goggles/golf carts were cancelled. Mock Car Crash - Entire HHS student body was released from class and directed to the west end of school grounds for a reenactment of an alcohol-related car accident. After the crash, Hastings native speaker Eric Olson addressed the students. There were support people available during lunch to communicate with students. After the crash, actors and support staff met at Green Mill for lunch and an opportunity to connect with all actors. If any participants became disturbed by their involvement they were encouraged to speak to any of the adults present and they would be sure to connect them with the proper support assistance. Informative brochures about drug prevention were made available at HHS. Family Fun Night at HMS. Friday, May 15 HHS Attendance Awards - Students with perfect attendance launched paper airplanes off of the bridge. There was a crashed car in front of student entrance indicating the importance of alert, attentive, and sober driving. Informative brochures about drug prevention were made available at HHS. Tug of war at HMS Elementary School Paper chain winner was chosen and their entire class was the recipients of Culver’s gift certificates. Saturday, May 16 Pledge board that HHS students signed throughout the week pledging no drug or alcohol use was displayed during the grand march and dance at prom. On Monday, May 18 along with Youth Planning Council and Community Ed, we awarded our first YPC Local Scholarship. The recipient of this scholarship had to display school and community service. This scholarship was made available through the proceeds of 4 LOCAL JAMS that were held this past school year as a drug and alcohol free event for youth to attend and an opportunity for local youth bands to play publically. This has been a great success and will continue throughout the 2009/2010 school year. On June 19, 2009 we will hold another LOCAL JAM to wrap up the school year. This concert will be held Please feel free to join us outdoors, weather permitting, at Vets Park from 8:00 to 11:00 pm. and experience the talent of local youth artists. Efforts to bring a speaker that addresses the drug and alcohol issuewith our youth are being pursued. Ann is working with ISD 200 Athletic Director Tom Johnson to bring speaker Lyle Helke, former coach and Chemical Dependency Counselor to speak to all HHS and HMS coaches in September.