Parks commission recommends City Council approve Specialized Needs Recreation MOU to reserve Cherry Hill Park site

The Coeur d'Alene Parks and Recreation Commission on Jan. 26 voted unanimously to recommend the City Council approve a memorandum of understanding with Specialized Needs Recreation (SNR) that would formally dedicate a site at Cherry Hill Park for construction of a recreational facility.

The MOU, introduced by staff, would reserve the parcel at Cherry Hill Park, 1719 North 15th Street, so SNR can advance a capital campaign and proceed to prepare construction documents. Parks staff said there would be no immediate fiscal impact to the city and the city would maintain grounds once a facility is in place.

SNR representatives described the proposed building as containing office space, activity rooms and a basketball court intended for shared use. "The basketball court, however, is what we've been talking about sharing with the city," said Chris Shelton, SNR volunteer construction manager and owner's representative. Lindsay Patterson, executive director of Specialized Needs Recreation, said the partnership allows both organizations to run programs at complementary times: "Our business model is such that we run programs during the day. Park and Rec runs programs in the evenings when we're not using that space." Suzanne Knutson, an SNR board member, asked commissioners for support and said the project signals the city's commitment to people with disabilities.

City staff and commissioners discussed parcel layout and future open space. Staff said the planned building footprint would be sited closer to the BMX track, leaving the westerly portion of the parcel available for potential soccer fields, green space and head-in parking to support both SNR events and broader park use. The initial MOU term is three years with language allowing a possible 3‑year extension to accommodate fundraising timelines.

Commissioner Jim (Speaker 3) moved that the Commission recommend council approval; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote without opposition. Staff said the Commission will forward the recommendation directly to City Council for consideration.

The recommendation is advisory; final approval, any required subsequent MOUs describing operations and maintenance responsibilities, and project permitting will be resolved at the council level and during design and fundraising phases.