7. PRSR 11-13-2002 City of
Elkti.
River
MEMORANDUM
TO: Park and Recreatio I Commission
FROM: Michele McPhersoks,"• irector of Planning
DATE: November 13, 2002
SUBJECT: Discuss Master Park Plan Goals and Objectives
Please arrive at 5 p.m. at City Hall to continue the discussion regarding the Master Park Plan
Vision and Goals/Objectives.
Attachments
• Introduction, Goals and Objectives - 1997 Master Park Plan
Please bring the Master Park Map distributed at the October 9th meeting and your Master Park
and Recreation Plan.
Overview
At the October 9th meeting, we discussed the vision of the Elk River Master Park Plan. In
effect,through land acquisitions,many goals and objectives identified in 1997 for parcels within
the Urban Service Area have been realized. There is however, an area outside of the Urban
Service District that will continue to develop and the Commission needs to identify how the
park system should continue to grow in the next 10-15 years. Some questions to consider:
1. What is the mission of the Elk River park system?
2. What services, amenities, experiences does the system hope to provide the current and
future residents of Elk River?
3. Is a goal of the park system to acquire land to protect open space or environmentally
sensitive areas?
4. Is a goal of the park system to acquire land so that no one else can acquire it for
development purposes?
5. Should the City take the role of developing regional parks?
The Commission should review the purpose and current goals and objectives of the plan and
determine if these are valid for the next 10- 15 years. If the goals stated in 1997 are still valid,
then the next step would be to review each of the various parks and identify additional needs for
development purposes.
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
The Master Park and Recreation Plan will provide the City of Elk River with a detailed
framework for the orderly growth and development of their Park and Recreation System.
The rapid growth tint has been experienced by the City of Elk River in the 1980's is expected
to continue through the 1990's and beyond. As more people are attracted to Elk River
because of its rural character, open space and natural beauty, preserving the things that make
up the high "quality of life"in the City will become more difficult. The residents of Elk River
arc clearly concerned with parks and recreation opportunities. The survey of residents that was
completed indicates very high demand for park facilities and very high participation in
recreation program.
The City of Elk River has made substantial progress in providing for the present and future
recreational needs of its residents. The City has improved facilities at Orono Park, Lions Park,
and Woodland Trails Park, and has acquired significant land for future parks and trails. Major
recreation facilities have been built on the school campus, the Oak Knoll Athletic Complex,
and the Orono softball field complex.
The City recognizes, however, that continued population growth will require that more land
dedicated to parks will need to be acquired, more park and recreation facilities will need to be
developed and existing natural resources will need to be preserved. In areas of the City that
are under continued development pressure, it becomes essential that the City proceed in a
timely manner to identify and acquire key properties for future park and recreation facilities.
The City of Elk River is committed to providing for the park and recreation needs of the
residents. The Master Park and Recreation Plan is an important step in providing a Park and
Recreation System that meets those needs.
GOALS AND OBIECT!VL'S
The Master Park and Recreation Plan is a continuation of the planning effort that was started
with the City's Comprehensive Plan. The City's Comprehensive Plan outlined the following
goals and objectives for parks and recreation in the City of Elk River.
1. GOAL
Encourage the development of a quality residential community which retains a semi-rural
atmosphere.
POLICIES
Continue the low density residential development pattern through the use of open
space areas and the designation of butter areas between non-compatible land uses.
2. GOAL
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Provide and maintain adequate and efficient levels of public services within the community.
POLICIES
• Create and maintain a trail system that allows for sale pedestrian movements
throughout the City and provide access to parks and other open spaces with active
and passive recreational opportunities for residents in all age groups.
▪ Maintain and improve the city's existing public recreation facilities.
▪ Require developers of new areas to either dedicate public open space or make a
payment in lieu of dedication to the City's park improvement fund.
3. GOAL
Develop, preserve and protect environmental resources, such as forests, wetlands, water
bodies and their shorelines,within the area with respect to open space, recreational uses,
water and air quality and natural ecosystems.
POLICIES
• Restrict development of shorelands, wetlands and drainage ways.
• Restrict alteration of natural contours and soils and restrict removal of natural
vegetation.
• Preserve natural systems through acquisition, dedication or easements.
▪ Require that development plans demonstrate a compatibility with natural features
and systems.
4. GOAL
Preserve, maintain and/or strengthen the cultural, social, historical, physical and visual
qualities unique to the community.
POLICIES
▪ Reserve through purchase, easement, or dedication public access to wetlands,
waterways, Lakeshore or other natural preservation areas.
• Work with other public and private agencies to identify, preserve and protect sites
of historical, architectural and cultural significance.
• Work with developers to preserve existing natural open space areas.
• Require that developers provide for buffer area between differing, non compatible
land use, whenever possible making use of the natural land characteristics.
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