7.4. PRSR 08-14-2013 El -� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 7.4
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Discussion Items August 14,2013 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Bailey Point Nature Preserve Development Cal Ponner, City Administrator
Priorities Reviewed by
Action Requested
None at this time
Background/Discussion
Staff has been approached by citizens and organizations to donate items for Bailey Point Nature Preserve.
This includes a memorial that the Rotary has proposed for the new park The Rotary would like to have a
proposal by September. We currently do not have a memorial provision in our parks policy,which is an
item that needs to be developed by the Commission in the future. In the meantime, any type of
memorial or donation item for Bailey Point is limited under the Minnesota Land Trust Conservation
Easement. The priority uses and improvements permitted under the easement are outlined in the
attachment Bailey Point Nature Preserve Priority Uses and Improvements. A memorial that involves
landscaping is limited,but a memorial with a bench would be permitted.
Staff is currently reviewing ideas for a park kiosk and main park sign. A kiosk for informational and
interpretive purposes is needed for Bailey Point Nature Preserve to post the recent ordinances that were
approved by City Council. A main park sign is needed to identify the new park A discussion with the
Commission on the need for these improvements and most importantly, priorities and a master plan for
the park needs to be developed.
Financial Impact
Improvements to the new park need to be included in the budget and any items to be donated to the City
have to be approved by City Council through resolution.
Attachments
Bailey Point Nature Preserve Priority Uses and Improvements
'POWEPOWERED BY
RED
BAILEY POINT NATURE PRESERVE
PROPERTY USES AND IMPROVEMENTS
• PROPERTY USES: The property is currently used for low impact outdoor recreational
use and nature observation. The property may be used for such uses as hiking, cross-
country skiing, canoe and kayak launching, fishing, nature observation or study, and
other non-intensive recreational and educational programs or activities that have no more
than minimal impact on the conservation values of the property.
No industrial, agricultural, or residential uses are allowed by the easement. Habitat
management is allowed by the easement, but only in accordance with a management plan
approved by the Land Trust. The property may not be used for more than minimal
commercial recreational purposes.
• BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES:
EXISTING MEASUREMENTS FOOTPRINT LOCATION MAP/PHOTO
BUILDING OR (SQ. FT.) REFERENCE
STRUCTURE
Garage 15' x 24' 360 Northwest Maps#3, 4, 5
corner Photos #32, 34
Barn 18' x 36' 648 Northwest Maps#3,4, 5
corner Photo #32
Small shed 8' x 12' 96 Northwest Maps#3,4, 5
corner Photos #32, 35
Horse shelter 12' x 24' 288 Northwest Maps#3,4, 5
corner Photo#25
Tennis court 40' x 90' 3,600 Northwest Maps#3, 4, 5
corner Photo#30
TOTAL 4,992
Mississippi River(Babcock) Property Overview Page 5 of 7
The garage, barn,small shed and horse shelter may be used, maintained and repaired,but
may not be expanded or replaced. The easement prohibits the tennis court to be
maintained or improved, but it may be removed at any time.
Once the Owner removes any or part of the existing buildings or tennis court, the
easement requires that the area needs to be restored to a condition consistent with the
conservation values of the property.
The easement also allows for a restroom facility to serve public use of the property to be
constructed and maintained in the vicinity of the permitted parking area, or alternative
location approved in writing by the Land Trust.
• OTHER IMPROVEMENTS:
DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING OR ALLOWED MAP/PHOTO
IMPROVEMENTS REFERENCE
Roads The existing unimproved access road along the Maps #3,4, 5
northern boundary may be maintained,but not Photo#1
expanded, improved or moved without the prior
approval of the Land Trust.
If the property is owned by a public entity in the
future, an access road and parking area may be
established, improved and maintained.
No other roads, driveways or parking areas may
be established without the prior written approval
of the Land Trust.
Trails Paths or foot trails, including necessary Photos #4, 6, 7,
boardwalks and bridges, may be established and 15, 18, 19, 20,
maintained for non-motorized recreational uses. 23, 25, 27
The trails may be constructed as necessary to
meet the requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
Utilities Utility systems and facilities may be installed and N/A
maintained to serve on-site permitted uses only.
This does not include communication towers,
wind turbines, or similar structures without the
prior approval of the Land Trust.
Canoe and The easement allows for an area to land and Maps #4, 5
Kayak Landing launch canoes and kayaks to be established and Photos#11-13,
Area maintained within the area designated as 16
"Potential River Access" on the Property Map
(see Map 4).
Rights-of-way Existing rights-of-way include Morton Avenue. Maps#3, 4, 5
No additional rights-of-way are allowed by the Photos#1, 2
easement without the prior approval of the Land
Trust.
Mississippi River(Babcock) Property Overview Page 6 of 7
Fences There is an existing fence line along much of the Map#5
northern and eastern boundary lines, as well as Photos#1-4, 6-9,
remnant pasture fencing. Additional fences may 15-20,23-35
be constructed and maintained to mark
boundaries, to secure the property, or to carry out
activities permitted by the easement.
Signs No billboards or other signs are allowed on the N/A
property except for small, unlighted signs for
informational or interpretive purposes. These
signs must not impair or interfere with the natural
habitat or scenic qualities of the property.
Minor rustic structures such as trail barriers, fishing platforms, boardwalks and bridges,
benches, picnic tables, trash/recycling receptacles, and informational kiosks that do not
impair or interfere with the natural habitat or scenic qualities of the property are allowed
by the easement in conjunction with permitted recreational and educational activities.
• BOUNDARY OR NEIGHBORING LAND ISSUES: The majority of the property is
bordered by the Elk and Mississippi Rivers. The northern boundary is bordered by
grassland and residential lots. A portion of the eastern boundary is bordered by
floodplain forest and grassland. There is an existing access easement across the east side
of the northern boundary along the existing roadway that leads to the west side of the
property to the north. There are no known boundary or neighboring land issues.
• KNOWN CONTAMINATION OR ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: A review of
MPCA records on February 27, 2012 revealed no records within a one-mile radius of the
protected property that would impact the conservation values of the property. There are
no known contamination or environmental hazards on the protected property.
SOURCES USED TO COMPLETE REPORT
Elk River Watershed Association and Wenck Associates, Inc., January 2009. Phase I TMDL
Report. Elk River Watershed Association.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2006. Tomorrow's Habitat for the Wild and Rare:
An Action Plan for Minnesota Wildlife, Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.
Division of Ecological Services, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. "What's in My Neighborhood?" February 27, 2012.
Online. <http://www.pca.state.mn.us/backyard/neighborhood.html>.
Mississippi River(Babcock) Properly Overview Page 7 of 7