PARKS
The Rockford Park & Recreation Commission meets the First
Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 6031
Main Street.
The scope of the activity of this Commission consists of advising the County and
other city advisory commission's regarding matters relevant to the parks and
recreational functions of the City. The general purpose of this 5-member
Commission is to monitor and reflect the attitudes and concerns of the citizens
of the City relative to the parks system, policy matters and recreational
programs. The current Park & Recreation Commission members are:
| Name | TERM |
| Rosemary Seymour | 2007-2009 |
| Andy Edeburn | 2007-2009 |
| Ann King | 2008-2010 |
| Mike Rentz | 2009-2011 |
|
Council Liaisons:: |
Renee Hafften Mayor, Michael Beyer |
|
City Staff Liaisons: |
Darcy Desens, Parks Dept. Kathy Dougherty
|
The City of Rockford has a growing parks department.
The City's largest community park, Riverside Park, is located along the north
end of Main Street situated on 7 acres of land along the Crow River. The Park
has a great walking path, picnic areas, fishing pier, playground equipment for
tots, twelve horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, basketball courts, skate
boarding, a gazebo and
community center. The community center is available for rent for smaller
gatherings, holding up to 80 people. The rent is $170 for non-residents and
$128.00 for residents and a $100 refundable
damage deposit is required. Non-profit organizations pay a fee of $40. The City also reserves the Gazebo for special occasions for $60
per use and a $100 refundable damage deposit.
RIVERSIDE PARK & CANOE LAUNCH AREA
The Park Commission was awarded an Outdoor Recreation Matching Grant available through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $100,000. Park Dedication Funds matched the 100,000. Park Dedication funds are paid by developers when new developments receive final plat approval. The grant included the continued development of Riverside Park.
With this project the city has completed converting the overhead electrical lines to underground along the existing trail. Decorative lighting has also been installed along the trail. A gravel pave trail was also installed from the existing trail to the tot lot area. A bituminous trail was installed to the volleyball courts and the basketball courts. The existing trail has been extended to the newly constructed canoe Launch site. The canoe launch site construction included paving a parking area and installing a gravel pave trail to the existing fishing pier as well as stabilizing the river bank which included the planting of native wild grasses, and wildflowers and the installation of a rain garden. A concrete ramp was also constructed down to the river for boat and canoe launching
Future Projects
KETTENACKER PARK
Located on the south side of State Hwy. 55 on Kettenacker Drive off of Maple St.
This Park is getting new equipment which will be installed in phases during the year of 2008 and 2009. Phase 1 is the largest of the two phases. The completion of the phase 1 installation was done in July of 2008. Depending on funds availability Phase 2 is proposed to be installed in the summer of 2009. The total project cost for both phases is approximately $85,000. The basketball court was re-surfaced in July of 2008.
The city is seeking residents that live in the Autumn Oaks Development who can organize a fund raising committee to help raise funds for phase 2. Please contact Kathy at the city hall if your interested in helping form this committee. 763-477-6565
PARKWOOD PARK
A new park is in the planning stages. This park will be located in the new subdivision known as "Parkwood" Parkwood is located on the south side of State Hwy. 55 off of Autumn Oaks Drive. This 9-Acre park will have walking trails, a picnic shelter and of course lots of play toys for the kiddies. A preliminary design has been completed.
Currently city staff is researching grant money possibilities for the projects proposed for both Kettenacker & Parkwood Parks
To View More pictures of area parks
Click Here