03-18-25 - PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks, Trails & Recreation Committee – March 18, 2025 Page 8 Committee Member Seemann said she and Committee Member Loosbrock have reached out to Boston Scientific to do some work in Cummings Park. They are hoping to establish a restoration plan for the area where the Ash trees were removed. Boston Scientific responded that they are interested in participating. They will be working with them in the coming weeks. Committee Member Johnson updated on the Ice Swim event in February. She thought there were 300-500 participants and spectators and there were about 75 volunteers. She said the weather was nice. The event went well. They got all the swims in and everyone was safe. She said the day events were great and the luminary event in the evening was well attended. There were over 700 luminaries on the lake. Council Liaison Rousseau said she had connected the event organizer with the Gateway Visitor Bureau. When she talked to the executive of that organization, and he didn’t know about the event. He said there is a regional grant for start-up activities. She hopes there may be some marketing opportunities. Committee Member Johnson said a lot of people where having a hard time envisioning what the event was. They were thinking Polar Plunge. It will be easier now to market it next time, having attended the event. The only negative she heard what the turf that was laid on the ice had the rubber bits that got on the ice. They were out there sweeping it up with brooms after the event. Council Liaison Rousseau told new Committee Member Hilding that the PTRC members serve on smaller subgroups. She asked if he was interested in a subgroup. Recreation Supervisor Johnson outlined the groups and positions where help is needed. Council Liaison Rousseau said conversations begin near the fourth quarter of the year. We discuss what projects are shutting down for the year, what do we want to start up for next year. The sub committees meet and have discussions then they bring updates back for the monthly meetings. Recreation Supervisor Johnson discussed the positions that are being added, to include the Park and Recreation Manager and the Park Lead from Public Works. The Park Lead will identify issues in the parks and trails and will oversee the seasonal staff who will address those issues. He will take more time on the obvious issues and rectify them correctly. There hasn’t been anyone dedicated to this before. Committee Member Olson said there was money donated from the Spring Lake Park that was to go to a fence at Freeway Park. She asked if there is an update. Recreation Supervisor Johnson said he thinks that has been approved.