1997-12-04 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION • FROM: MARY SAARION, DIRECTOR DATE: NOVEMBER 25, 1997 SUBJECT: DIRECTION FOR WINTER USE OF SILVER VIEW PARK PAVED PATH AND MAINTENANCE EXPECTATIONS Last week, after the first snowfall of approximately 3 inches, I received a telephone call from a resident that lived in the manor homes near Silver View Park. He reported that he was walking the path and fell. He suggested that the City clear the trail. I informed him that because the trail is a multi-purpose trail, it is used as a XC Ski trail in the winter and also is within the sliding hill area where sliders go right over the trail. Because of these uses, clearing the trail would not allow these winter uses. In addition, I informed him that we don't have the staff to regularly clear park paths. When it snows the first priority for use of equipment is clearing the streets. Sidewalks leading to schools is the next priority. Once streets are cleared the rinks are cleared using both the plows, blower and broom. Park trails would be last priority and it could be days later that the equipment would be available. Our two parks maintenance guys use all their winter-time hours flooding rinks and • maintaining park buildings and park warming houses. Winter-time puts our two maintenance guys on split shifts so that flooding occurs after rinks close and also early in the morning. Repairs to equipment, buildings, and general parks maintenance occurs when their is time and/or when it is an emergency. Park trail snow removal can be a priority if the Parks and Recreation Commission chooses. If this is a choice, there will need to be consideration as to what parks maintenance activities are eliminated in order to make time for clearing Silver View Park trail. Risk management is such that trails are hazardous not matter whether they are cleared or not. With the black bituminous pavement trail, snow quickly melts and freezes to become icy. A layer of snow is actually safer to walk on than a cleared, but glazed over paved path. The clearing would require daily chemical treatment to maintain a non-ice trail. There is additional concern about contamination and the poluting effects of chemicals being used so close to the pond. I ask the Parks and Recreation Commission to discuss this issue and provide direction to me in response to this resident's concern.