02/24/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSIONERS FROM: MARY SAARION, DIRECTOR PARKS, RECREATION & FORESTRY DATE: FEBRUARY 17, 1994 SUBJECT: SECURITY DURING RECREATION ACTIVITIES This issue of safety and security of participants of recreational activities continues to be a concern of Council Member Trude. The City Council has referred the issue to the Parks and Recreation Commission. If you recall this issue was previously discussed regarding summer playground activities in October, 1993. The Commission reviewed a revised summer playground schedule which would encourage fewer children per day by changing to a two day per week program offering. The cost would not increase although the number of days offered to participants would decrease. The Commission made a motion to approve this program change. The program is being included in the May/June City Newsletter. I have provided you with copies of the information that we discussed at this previous meeting. Of late, Administrator Orduno and I had a conference call with the Mr. Lefevre, City Attorney for the City of New Brighton and also partner with our City Attorney. We explained the circumstances of our programs and asked his opinion as to whether or not the City should assume a security perception from the public. It was his opinion that such programs as summer playgrounds, open gyms, ice skating rinks, open swims, sporting practices and games, special events, Festival activities spectator activities and beach operations should not offer the perception to the public that staff will assume "babysitting" type care. It should be assumed that participants in these types of activities are under their parents or their own directives regarding behavior, coming, going, and transportation to and from the activities. It should not be relayed to the public that the staff is responsible for the participation or non -participation of the person, rather that staff will supervise the activity and those in participation of organized activities. Staff is not expected to be in charge of the general public, but rather is in charge of those participating in activities. On the contrary, programs such as Athletic Camps, gymnastics, swimming lessons, after school activities, trips do have the connotation of stricter security because of the higher fee, the requirement that attendance is necessary to learn a skill, complete a project or earn certification. Also, these types of programs usually have a distinct maximum number of participants which offers a lower student/instructor ratio simply because of the activity or because the City of Mounds View is offering transportation as in the case of trips and team tennis.