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Home My WebLink About12.A. Movies in the Park at Huber Park - 2008 I ~ · !I, CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator From: Brad Eller, Recreation Supervisor Jamie Polley, Director of Parks & Recreation, and Natural Resources Meeting Date: January 2, 2008 Movies In The Park @ Huber Park- 2008 Subject: INTRODUCTION This agenda item seeks Council approval to extend Huber Park hours in order to facilitate five of six (6) 'Movie In The Park' community events proposed for 2008. BACKGROUND The City of Shakopee collaborated with the Shakopee Downtown Partnership to hold its first 'Movie In The Park' event on Sept. 29, 2007. It was a rainy and windy day until just prior to the event. Still, a crowd of two hundred came out to enjoy the movie on a 16 ft x 9 ft screen that fit perfectly on the Huber Park stage (services provided by The Twilight Zone). The crowd was diverse and the 'Movie In The Park' was enjoyed by all. SUMMARY Due to the success and positive feedback of the first movie night, staff would like to expand movie nights to be more frequent in 2008. Not only because they are fun, but because they provide a quality recreational and social opportunity for families. The event is free to the public, which makes it accessible to everyone. It also creates a sense of community as people gather on the riverfront at Shakopee's premier park. Proposing six (6) 'Movie In The Park' events in 2008 does come with one particular challenge. During the summer months, sunset is later in the day. This would require a movie to begin later in the evening, which puts the ending time of a movie later than that of park closing hours- 10 pm. The City of Burnsville facilitates a series of six (6) 'Movie In The Park' events during the summer that are very popular. Burnsville staff requested authorization by the Burnsville City Council to allow for these events to take place later than park hours. Council approved and the events have consistently drawn crowds of 300-500 people. The following illustrates 2008 'Movie In The Park' proposed dates, time of sunset, approximate movie starting time (30 min. after sunset), approximate movie ending time (1 hr. 45 min average) and a proposed park closing time (allows 30 minutes for crowds to dissipate): Day/Date Proposed Park CI Time Sat., Ma 17 8:38 10:53 11 :23 m Sat., June 7 8:57 11 :12 11:42 m Sat., June 28 9:03 11 :18 11:48 m Sat., Jul 19 8:53 11:08 11 :38 m Sat., Au .30 7:52 10:07 10:37 m Sat.. Se t. 20 7:13 9:28 n/a As the table illustrates, there is a range of movie end times that would occur throughout the season. The Sept. 20 event would not require extended park hours, but the other 5 dates would require authorization to extend the park closing time. Though staff is incorporating a 30 minute cushion for crowds to dissipate in this proposal, it is likely that the process would be completed in less time. Authorization to extend the park closing time is requested subsequent to Sec 14.03 Subd.3 of the City Code. City staff has received a verbal commitment from the Shakopee Downtown Partnership to financially support 50% of the cost associated with offering a series of six (6) movie events. This would equate to approximately $3000, with the other $3,000 coming from the Huber Park budget of $15,000 for events annually. The preceding 'Movies In The Park' proposal was presented to the Shakopee Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at their Oct. 22, 2007 meeting. The PRAB reviewed the presented information and provided the following feedback: · Several board members commented that this was a great idea for families. · Some board members attended the Sept. movie event and mentioned that they enjoyed the Movie In The Park. · The Advisory Board recommended that staff explore providing concessions as a revenue source. · The PRAB supported extending park hours for the proposed events. ACTION REQUESTED: If City Council concurs, authorize the extension of the Huber Park hours past 10 pm on the following dates and at the proposed times in order to facilitate five of six 'Movie In The Park' community events at Huber Park in 2008: Day/Date Sunset Movie End Time (approx. 1 hr. 45 min) Proposed Park CI Time allows 30 m Sat., Ma 17 8:38 10:53 m 11:23 m Sat., June 7 8:57 11 :12 m 11:42 m Sat., June 28 9:03 11 :18 m 11:48 m Sat., Jul 19 8:53 11:08 m 11 :38 m Sat.,Au .30 7:52 10:07 m 10:37 m VISIONING RELATIONSHIOP Goal: Active and Healthy Community - A High Quality of Life - B Great Place For Kids To Grow Up - C Strategies: Provide High Quality Services, Increase use of Parks and Recreation, Foster Community Connections, Make Downtown and Riverfront Inviting, Strengthen Small Town Feel.