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1996-10-08 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 8,1996 6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room Call to Order 2. Roll Call Approval of September 10, 1996 Minutes Park Reservation Policy Revision 5. Updates • Administrative Assistant Appointment • Recycling • Parks Report • Police Report (Available Tuesday) Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Chris Esser, Recreation Programmer RE: Full Time Recreation Programmer DATE: November 5, 1996 Parks and Recreation provides a wide range of benefits that display a city government's investment in their community. Recreation opportunities improve the quality of life for residents and promote a sense of community. Leisure pursuits encourage a healthy, holistic lifestyle. People come together as a community to recreate. Picnics, leagues and neighborhood parks help to bring neighbors together. People coming together builds a sense of community and neighborhood trust. Community pride and trust reflects a good, healthy government. People live in and move to communities because of amenities, not low taxes. Residents look for and demand good community services like schools, police and fire, recreation opportunities and a nice park system. A community that cares about itself and its amenities demonstrates that it possesses resident pride and that people enjoy living there. A full time Recreation Programmer will create a vital parks and recreation system. The aim of this position is not to create a large department, but one that is energetic, community dynamic and responsive. The other half of the Recreation Programmer position will provide numerous benefits to the City of Mendota Heights. The two main benefits can be broken down into two categories: I. Additional programs and II. City Service. I. Additional Programs A. With only a half time programmer, we are greatly restricting the recreation opportunities for the residents of Mendota Heights. Currently, virtually every segment of the population of Mendota Heights are under -served through the lack of City sponsored programs and opportunities. A full time programmer would have the time and flexibility to create new programs to serve every possible segment of the community. B. Full time would also provide the flexibility to create or expand collaborative programs with other Cities, Community Education, Mendota Heights Athletic Association, and private groups. The Recreation Programmer's task is to tap into surrounding resources through collaborative efforts, not to duplicate or compete with existing programs. Collaborative programs save everyone involved time and money, resulting in rewarding outcomes for the community. C. List of potential programs not currently being offered that would be possible with personnel expansion to one full time position: 1. Pre -School Programs a. Nature Quest b. Field Trips c. Day Camp d. Half -Pint Safety Camp 2. Youth Programs a. Holiday youth programs Valentine's Day Spring (Easter, Passover) Halloween Winter (Christmas, Chanukkah) b. More, year-round youth Field Trips c. Collaborative Summer Camps d. Collaborative after -school weekday programs 3. Teen Programs a. Drop -in programs b. Field Trips 4. Adult Programs a. Open Gyms Volleyball Basketball b. Leagues Touch Football Broomball Basketball Volleyball 5. Senior Programs a. Collaborative Trips b. Clubs, social gatherings, parties 6. People with Disabilities Programs a. Special Olympics b. Expanded S.P.I.R.I.T (Special People Incorporating Recreation In Togetherness) involvement. 7. Family Events a. Field Trips b. Parent/child athletics and activities The potential of these programs are difficult to predict. Recreation programs created year to date have increased annual participant numbers from 581 in 1994 to over 1,000 in 1996. Based on the above list of programs, we can project that these programs potentially will raise resident participation to over 2,000 people per year as a result of staffing a full time programmer. That will serve close to 20% of the residents in Mendota Heights annually. II. City Service and Other Benefits A. A full time Recreation Programmer would greatly improve customer service to the community. Currently, the half time Recreation Programmer is only available at certain times throughout the week. The schedule is irregular to the point where people have complained about not being able to reach the Programmer regarding urgent business. Still others have voiced dissatisfaction about having to wait a day to get a return phone call if the Programmer has left for the day. A full time Programmer will be there a greater majority of the time to answer questions, take registrations, reserve parks, etc. B. A full time Recreation Programmer will be better able to coordinate tasks that need very detailed attention. Creative scheduling of ballfields, coordinating activities with other agencies and planning Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks! are just a few examples of programs and activities that require a greater amount of attention than they are currently receiving. A full time Programmer will have the time and flexibility to give these programs the attention they deserve. C. A full time Recreation Programmer will be able to optimize use of existing facilities throughout the community. Mendota Heights has a wonderful parks and trail system that is well maintained throughout the year. The tax payer investment of maintenance of our parks should be complimented by programs that put residents in the parks. Many residents are not aware of the recreation opportunities they have through their own community parks and recreation system. Expanded programming and education will help people of all recreation abilities and interests to be aware of our amenities. Awareness will lead to active participation in local programs and/or passive participation during leisure time pursuits.