While Ramsey was incorporated as a city in the mid-70's, the preponderance of the park and trail system infrastructure was not constructed until the late 1980's and more recently—meaning also, that much of the system (facilities, pavement etc.) is now decades old.

Central Park was one of the first significant park improvements for the community, and development began there in beginning in mid-1980's. Rivers' Bend Park was the second community park to emerge, with most initial improvements occurring in and around 1989, which included the entrance monument.

Subsequent improvements within River's Bend included the north shelter with playground and the south shelter which was donated and constructed by volunteers.  The original playground has been since replaced.

As the north shelter is badly in need of a roof replacement, and the south shelter may be considered 'Spartan', staff requests the Commission's input on upgrades to these facilities—together with the 30 year-old decomposing entrance monument.

Attached are images of the improvements this case discusses.  The Commission's meeting at the park will be an opportunity to inspect these facilities and develop ideas to maximize the needed maintenance, and perhaps add value and utility to the park.

Ordinary maintenance (like re-roofing and monument/sign replacement) would be accommodated by the Capital Maintenance Fund.  New improvements may be funded by the Park Trust Fund and other sources.

Staff recommends that Commissioners familiarize themselves with facilities within the 60 acre park—and then as part of the meeting, brainstorm on how upgrades to the associated facilities may add value to one of the most used parks in Ramsey's system.

Based upon discussion.