Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee

ARTS, PARKS, & RECREATION COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS June 19th, 2023 The Amery Arts, Parks, and Rec. Committee met on June 19th, 2023, in Soo Line Park. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. Present: Members Colleen Adams, Tommy Dusek, Joyce Schaefer, Catherine Olsen, and Denise Johnson. Absent: None Others Present: Clerk-Treasurer, Ben Jansen; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, Taylor Larson, and Bob Rasmussen 1. Discussion and Creation of Recommendation Letter to the City Council for Parks Improvements – The discussion began with Bob Rasmussen stressing the need for the pickleball courts in town. The current courts are old and are in need of repair. The committee then went from park to park to discuss the largest needs in each. The biggest needs for North Park that were to be included were as follows: playground equipment (specifically slides), basketball court and repairing the cracks, and repairing the small shelter and enclosing the exposed electrical panel within the shelter. Bobber/Michael Park – Needs included general landscape and maintenance on the pier and replacement of some picnic tables. Finally, the other main concern was fencing off the rest of the dam because of the exposed water. Soo Line Park was not discussed as having many needs. South Twin Beach – The discussion began with removing unnecessary structures like the lifeguard tower and the floating raft. Upgrading or repairing the bathroom facility and pavilion at the beach were also discussed as both structures are in poor condition. New playground equipment for that park was also identified as a need. The final item discussed was the repair of the pickleball courts and repairing the cracks that are currently there until a permanent solution is found. The final park discussed was Schumacher Park. The Garden Club has approached the committee and requests that money be added to the City budget for the flowers and mulch within the park. The final topic discussed pertained to all City Parks. The Committee would like to see the City invest in a splashpad with a location to be determined and it would like to see security improvements at all parks because of the frequent vandalism that has taken place. It was then decided the Vice-Chair Olsen would draft the letter to the Council. Motion by Olsen; seconded by Schaefer; to adjourn at 5:13 p.m. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Ben Jansen City Clerk-Treasurer June 20th, 2023 1