7.b.2. PRSR 07-08-1998 r--Q --\
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Item# �,B,2,
ity of
Fik, Iiver MEMORANDUM
TO: Park and Recreation Commission
FROM: Stephen Wensman, Planner 7V.)
DATE: July 8, 1998
SUBJECT: Lafeyette Woods Park
Description
Lafeyette Woods Park is a wooded 36.71 acre site with extreme elevation
changes with both high ground and wet swampy ground. The site consists of
two large areas connected by a 70 corridor of woods. The Eastern half of the
park has the most extreme elevations as steep as 50%, which severely limits
the type of activity that may occur there. The Western half has a large low
area that bisects this half of the park. On the Western property line there is
a abandoned rail trail that extends to the city limits.
• Overall the woods on the site contain many Oaks, and a flourishing
understory. With the new development, many invasive species are seeding
themselves in the woods and may be a maintenance issue in the future.
Attachments 1
• Location Map
Site Issues
• Preserving trees
• Extreme slopes
• Wetlands
Concept A
A gravel or wood chip path connects the Eastern and Western halves of the
park to the trail to the outlot on 195th with a switch-back on the steepest
slope.
0
13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River,MN 55330 • TDD&Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425
Activities within the park include walking, nature watching, skiing, and a
•
children's play structure is situated on a knoll that overlooks the
development below. The distance from the 196th street to the play structure is
about 600 feet. This location is the closest possible location and the only one
with a flat enough area to accommodate the structure. To accommodate this
use trees would need to be removed, and the understory cleared to allow for
safety, access, and airflow which might reduce the amount of insects in the
immediate area The slopes, trees and path make the site suitable for cross
country skiing.
Concept B
A gravel or wood chip path connects the Eastern and Western halves of the
park to the trail to the outlot on 195th with a switch-back on the steepest
slope.
Activities within the park include walking, nature watching, skiing. Any
play structure would be located off site.
Concept C
The site be left for conservation purposes, and for unorganized use by
• neighborhood children. Seasonal maintenance to remove unwanted tree and
weed species may be required.
s:\planning\stevewen\parkmmo\lafeywds.doc
• TO BE NAMED (LAFAYETTE WOODS) MAP KEY: 27
CLASSIFICATION: Conservancy Park
OWNER: City of Elk River
DESCRIPTION:
This park is a mostly wooded 36.71 acre site with very extreme elevation
changes.
FACILITIES:
- None �� 1^ �f .T J / \
i e
POSSIBLE FUTURE FACILITIES.• _ i �� 1 d r--)' •I
III
- Trails ' , ( :� t` 1A—"
4
Observation Platform f G i
- Sliding Hill ---.1� i 1 • 1 ' ;.p
- May serve neighborhood park �'-11: f �Y 1,y
needs . . t r f, 0 . 'i_-`-I i :�'-- r'' ' / V(q Ili
ISSUES. ftc.k.,,._5,,'t N A, ' ,,f • \'.
' ' .I- The extreme elevation chan es g ( �,-1 •
other improvements difficult. ' , ,,�- -4��,Cl
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66