Minot Park Board keeps playgrounds open, takes registration for hoped-for re-opening

MINOT, N.D. – Minot Park District facilities could be back in business this summer if the governor’s goal to have a phased re-opening of the state is able to move forward.

Parks Director Ron Merritt told the park board Tuesday that recreation facilities would become available in a second phase of gradual re-opening if the governor’s office and North Dakota Department of Health see positive trends in COVID-19 cases.

Merritt said he has been working with the state association of park directors and others on creating guidance for the governor’s office and health department regarding the safe re-opening of parks and recreation facilities.

The board discussed whether to keep the district’s playgrounds open in light of some other cities that have been closing theirs. Board members Perry Olson and Mike Schmitt said they are comfortable with playgrounds being open, while Chuck Emery, Cliff Hovda and Steve Wharton voiced some concerns.

Emery’s concerns came after seeing a significant number of children using playgrounds simultaneously.

“Personally, I probably wouldn’t take my kids out there right now but if others want to use the facility, I would say go ahead and let them, knowing that the risk is theirs,” Wharton said.

Based on the advice of board attorney Pete Hankla, the board acted to reduce its liability by deciding to post signs at the playgrounds, reminding residents that they allow their children on the facilities at their own risk. The park district is cleaning the facilities on a regular basis, and users are invited to wipe down facilities before use if they wish.

Meanwhile youth program registrations have been low so far. The park district is offering a youth scholarship to help families due to the current economic situation. No child will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. Depending on the virus situation this summer, programs are scheduled to begin the second week of June.

Bids on the new waterslide will be opened in May.

The park district is developing information on revenue losses and savings from operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Overall, we are in good shape,” Merritt said. “I know our revenue is down more than our operating expenses are down but it’s not a huge amount in the scope of our budget.”

The park board approved bonding for paving projects around the district.

Minot Paving’s low bid of $969,118 exceeded the engineer’s estimate by $239,990, mainly due to higher than expected prices for the removal and replacement of asphalt at Roosevelt Zoo, which is $198,216 of the difference. The challenges due to the location of the work at the zoo and the time constraints contributed to the higher costs.

Parks Director Ron Merritt said even with the higher than expected bid, the total of around $3.3 million to be bonded is lower than the maximum anticipated. He added favorable bond rates will help reduce the cost.

The bond sale is scheduled for May 5.

Minot Park Board keeps playgrounds open, takes registration for hoped-for re-opening

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Minot Park Board keeps playgrounds open, takes registration for hoped-for re-opening

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