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7.b. PRSR 08-12-1998 -(_/ A ITEM 7.b. ity of MEMORANDUM Elk River TO: Park and Recreation Commission FROM: Stephen Wensman, Planner DATE: August 12, 1998 SUBJECT: Woodland Trails Park Description Woodland Trails is a 164 acre parcel of woods, meadow and marsh with significant aesthetic, biological, and geological qualities. The site is west of the City Railroad Trail, and north of the Elk River Golf Course. County Road 32 is aligned with the current park entrance drive in the southwest corner of the site. A City owned farmhouse shares the entrance drive to the park. A future east-west transportation corridor has been proposed that would line up with County Road 32 through the farmhouse and parallel the property • line between the golf course and the park. This corridor is part of Sherburne County's transportation master plan, and is likely to be adopted by the City of Elk River. The site is currently used for outdoor education, winter skiing, team skiing by the highschool, walking, biking, rollerblading, nature watching and more. Additional amenities to be located in the site include, a ski warming house, ski race staging area, picnic shelter, picnic area. Attachments • Location Map • Master Park and Recreation plan for the site Site Issues • Preservation of forest, meadows, and wetlands • East-west corridor • Existing Farmhouse • 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River,MN 55330 • TDD &Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425 • Preservation The location of additional structures in the site will likely break open views into the meadow or prairie from adjacent trails. The structure, what ever its form, will likely be located in an open meadow, rather than in woodlands. The design of the structure and location should be considered together to accent views and to "fit" into the site. Considerations for a structure include solar access, use for warming house, picnic shelter, and possibly an educational/interpretive center. Farmhouse The existing farmhouse is most likely a temporary structure in the park. The location on the entrance drive confuses the entry experience of the park user giving the impression of entering onto a private drive. The farmhouse and the land behind is a potential location for a picnic structure, picnic area, picnic parking, and ski race staging area or right-of-way for a future east-west transportation corridor. • East-west Corridor Sherburne County's transportation master plan calls for a new east-west road that connects County Road 32 to County Road 33 following the southern edge of the park, across the City Railroad Trail, and through the northern part of Top of The World Park and through the gravel mine area This master plan is likely to be adopted by the City of Elk River and may be implemented in the distant future. The implications to the park are great. The proposed corridor right-of-way is 100 feet, however with the steep slopes in the area the deforestation due to grading will likely be greater. The effects may be greater fragment the forest ecosystem, increased of noise and pollution and increased light and wind into the forest which may change the nature of the understory with exotic weeds and edge species. Furthermore, the continuity between Woodland Trails Park and Top of the World Park and the City Railroad Trail will be broken. Concept A This concept sites a barn structure on the site to be used as a possible warming house, picnic shelter, education/interpretive center. A barn would • require a relatively large flat area and would serve as a focal point in the f:\shrdoc\planning\stevewen\parkmmo\woodland.doc site. The siting of the barn in this situation is to take advantage of a large knoll near the existing parking lot. Picnic tables and outdoor grills would be located around the structure. A paved trail would connect the barn to the parking lot and existing trails. Some low prairie shrubs could be planted to buffer the picnic area from wind and create some privacy. If an east-west road is built, the entrance to the park could be moved to the east. The current entrance drive location could be used as a ski race staging. The new east-west corridor would need to be buffered from the park with evergreens and deciduous trees to minimize its visual impact. A paved trail could be provided along the east-west road connecting the two adjacent parks and county roads. Concept B This concept assumes that the east-west corridor will be built. A warming house and picnic shelter are sited over the existing entrance drive location. This location is close to the parking lot and close to the entrance. This location preserves the existing meadow views as they are with the exception of the new east-west road. The grass around the shelter is mowed with picnic tables and grills. In the winter, the picnic area could be used for a ski race staging area. A paved trail is parallel the east-west road and adjacent the • picnic area. The new east-west corridor would need to be buffered from the park with evergreens and deciduous trees to minimize its visual impact. Concept C This concept sites a typical picnic structure with a canopy and open sides into a niche between a hill and existing trees. The structure and picnic area are somewhat hidden from views, yet close to the parking area. A paved walking path would connect the structure to the parking lot. If a new road were constructed the current entrance road location could be used for a ski race staging area. Concept D This concept assumes that a new road will not be built and the current entrance drive would remain as it is currently. A picnic structure/warming house and outdoor amphitheater, built into the slope, are sited behind the existing farm house and trees near the park entrance. A picnic area parking lot would be constructed in the location of the farm house. This configuration separates the picnic area from the natural area preserving the existing views and natural features in the park. Additional buffering from the golf course • would need to be created as well as a path connecting the two areas. This fAshrdoc\planning\stevewen\parlcmmo\woodland.doc • location for a picnic area is close to the existing well and septic currently on the site. S f:\shrdoc\planning\stevewen\parkmmo\woodland.doc S � LOCATION Niti.... SsTif, . I 116'� ' rag e , 0. TOP THE WORLD PARK /4-, • -1,,,,,,wye,,,v......NiikaradwrowlioDgi lik 1 ink : • '© �- ,illiabiiiiiii 0 \� ;41.'1411°al , .74 _ ,tOjprI1Z/1/6-w,74 4�—j�-© �'d ,,,, .,!.. , N1 T.:•••-per.frW-' 11110.11../IIIRIFOR 0- Nor Al MIA lo 111 1,0110t lb 4100 riz:.;�� 1; ,. I-16 11 1. ERA •!•-110.., . eirs.,4,54Si 1 D pzesirk0 ', ///tLi.. tC Ids Wa��� ,' �i I�IIg;!1 i IIp/I,II`�ea►' i ,r `f 1919.ii r`. CC��'s'�l RA���•�.;:::f'11�711:M�y�. ic O' WI it ,il•wl�'iii1.�.4 . If t ii,,-- / N X ZONING N E1kfkjver MAP 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 Elk River,MN 55330 • WOODLAND TRAILS PARK MAP KEY: 20 CLASSIFICATION,. Area Wide Park OWNER: City of Elk River DESCRIPTION: Woodland Trails is a 164 acre parcel of land north of downtown and adjacent to the Railroad Trail. The land varies a great deal within the site from maturc wooded uplands to open wetlands. A small creek runs through the site on its way to Lake Orono. FACILITIES: 1 y i \-� 1 - Cross Country Skiing �5/7 i- ; :_i - Running Trails 'tom; F { 1 • - Parking �� w � - Walking/Hiking Trails 1 Paved Biking Trails . r—' . Lt? -\i-- \ la_ I I:--. N.. \\ ,,. f 1( , / POSSIBLE FUTURE FACILITIES: J / ;• - Interpretive Center E ~ J '�'° ' . - Restrooms � ,�� � �� � -�4 , ���° ://, ------24-1-.'. ��, b•- Camping c' X1"4 - , . Picnicking �- g' ;;' .. C.' . ..,::: Ir.„.. -,, et, , .... lelk...\••7 8,\\At -1-' ,'_,,d, >./N- .-- /'. \. , ,ISSUES: \ '' 4r..� 4, 1%; t - Driving Range Within 11.- Site Boundary i�� - Active Gravel Mine to East i`\ 14\ - Future East/West Collector • ‘ / Roadway ti : ,, • ; • WOODLAND TRAILS MAP B-2.20 FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS PARK SHOULD BE SENSITIVE TO ITS NATURAL AMENITIES, I.E.,AN INTERPRETIVE CENTER. 4 1 ' rte.•...._j . H I 1 ..-- - f •i - ' .y `.' I —A ....... 1 t` \ tki: .i:51(14::.;.:::::-:::::::::::.'. : ;:---.•-:..-'':2--:..... : •s. •• :. .)‘ td • iii*5...-:' .-•:!: 0"..• ......-.-•:!/1; le .:::::-:-:-::: :: - '44 ti qty .'fC_ -- ., 17.4. ..le ,...< i c. g 3 --.41 .7:—.7j — \---itg P..t. ! ‘'."7"..ti..ANC_ / VA 1 ----\iiiiiil C-:\ %--- 1 1 Pli \\ - cis- :---1 i---"'s i \ _ L'v It\� 1 '1k 1 i , . . 0 oCo o 1 000 2r•CC r7 ITEM 7.b. ity of � MEMORANDUM Elk TO: Park and Recreation Commission River FROM: Stephen Wensman, Planner DATE: August 12, 1998 SUBJECT: Top of the World Park Description The park is approximately 80 acres of woods, meadow and marsh with significant aesthetic, biological, and geological qualities formerly part of the Shiely property. The site has extreme slopes and one of the highest elevations in Elk River. The site is just to the east of City Railroad Trail and Woodland Trails Park. The two parks currently serve as one park, with Top of the World being a remote part of the trail system. The site is has been developed for ski and walking trails. Other are being considered including mountain biking, however the consensus from other cities is that the biking trails and ski trails are incompatible. Additional amenities to be located in the site include, a ski warming house, picnic shelter, picnic area, and parking lot (Trail head). Attachments • Location Map • Master Park and Recreation plan for the site Site Issues • Preservation of forest, meadows, and wetlands • East-west corridor • Future development • Shiely property Preservation The location of additional structures and a parking lot in the site would • require significant tree loss and require relocating sections of the existing 13065 Orono Parkway • P.O. Box 490 • Elk River,MN 55330 • TDD&Phone: (612)441-7420 • Fax: (612)441-7425 110 trails. The best scenario is to add these amenities to the east when and if the land is subdivided. East-west Corridor Sherburne County's transportation master plan calls for a new east-west road that connects County Road 32 to County Road 33 following the southern edge of the park, across the City Railroad Trail, and through the northern part of Top of The World Park and through the gravel mine area This master plan is likely to be adopted by the City of Elk River and may be implemented in the distant future. The implications to the park are great. The proposed corridor right-of-way is 100 feet, however with the steep slopes in the area the deforestation due to grading will likely be greater. The effects may be greater fragment the forest ecosystem, increased of noise and pollution and increased light and wind into the forest which may change the nature of the understory with exotic weeds and edge species. The continuity between Woodland Trails Park and Top of the World Park and the City Railroad Trail will be broken. Currently, the Shiely Company has • allowed additional trails to be developed to the north of the park which would be lost if the road was developed. Future Development Future development to the east and north may provide opportunities for expanding the park through park dedications and by land purchases to make a connection to Proctor to the east, or a connection along a future east-west road. Shiely Property Currently, the Shiely Company has allowed trails to be developed on unused portions of their property. These areas would be a logical addition to the park through park dedications or land purchases should the opportunity arise. Concept A This concept sites a neighborhood park/trailhead on Proctor Avenue (County Road 77) and a trail corridor through the future subdivision. The area likely to be subdivided is roughly 40 acres which should provide the City a 3-4 acre • park. The paved trail between the Ridgewood subdivision and the future f:\shrdoc\planning\stevewen\parkmmo\topo£doc • subdivision would connect the new trailhead and Top of the World Park. The northerly trail through Top of the World would be paved connecting to Woodland Trails Park. The northerly trail has less slope and is the better of the two for pavement, however a portion of the trail is on Shiely property. The northerly trail will have to be rerouted on park property or purchase the land the trail is on. Concept B This concept locates a trailhead park adjacent to Top of the World Park within a future subdivision. This concept sites a parking lot, children's play structure and restroom on a 3-4 acre parcel towards the northeast corner of Top of the World. As in concept A, a paved trail through the existing park could connect to Woodland Trails Park. The northerly trail through Top of the World would be paved connecting to Woodland Trails Park. The northerly trail has less slope and is the better of the two for pavement, however a portion of the trail is on Shiely property. The northerly trail will have to be rerouted on park property or purchase the land the trail is on. Concept C This concept assumes no future park dedication and locates a trailhead in the existing borders of top of the World Park. The northerly trail through Top of the World would be paved connecting to Woodland Trails Park. The northerly trail has less slope and is the better of the two for pavement, however a portion of the trail is on Shiely property. The northerly trail will have to be rerouted on park property or purchase the land the trail is on. • f:\shrdoc\planning\stevewen\parkmmo\topof.doc L i i /� ' . ...... i te P 1 1\., 'L, .. 1k-4 1:.g'\`" Ai et ..1 40- (4:IL 1A11. ■.■. ‘..■. AI\ ' , � ,., apt�`�•!,a � SKIM 0)--- iiiltadilimai. ,x 11©1 A for Sr la Awl 1111S11111 ern a `r 1. �a - LOCATION Mr= .:Piii 11.,''' ''n 4,1. t'll: Nit ikliPir MI 1. Or il IF I M a„=. iv a, cull yen ��.o M.11PI•ifF•vra ,,IL outs ir rta 1- 41A06-141 .II�rt1�1i■111 AI ikj igMtpilini.: 11111""-.'""----Iir,74 11111111111L 1 i.., ! AA •:11 . .1 ram 4. ligit Pi �rr��011'`�r4� 4� A1;;a,.7l� ;!1l. ''� i� , is �t III�•f� i.,t3i ft t:.�r iii�:,�� �� „s) .., K. 12. •a Pc-, 0.411 ” ,Aith...\;i:L1 .10. N\ ..*:- oi 17 .1M ��/LY.1:r.� *oar'', 12 �.,..,4,,.,1.-. f a_Jr ■i 1( ,'�11 ■ Nra t5► titaa.■ flu'[,:E ���' •"" �, I=Ø % __--'.Fl sr..... II, ,i y lir Aida pri .y m C '���\�`�., ,..\( N / ZONING • itMAP 13065 Orono Parkway •P.O.Box 490 Elk River,MN 55330 i 0 TO BE NAMED (SHIELY) To P or --040- viofra MAP B-2.21 THIS RECENTLY ACQUIRED PAM IS COVERED WITH OLD GROWTH OAKS. DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SITE MUST PRESERVE THESE TREES AS A WOODS. s , i 1 . • . \ • i / I I __1_____11L .F., . , _ ....,... .,,,.., , , , . . . / ,\----„, ■ L/ , , WOODLAND I TRAILS - ...-__ ..—..1_ ___._,.___ ........__ . ___ ."7'.-0-- - . Cd. \ 1 . i Cr I GC°'• 4 SITE HAS EXTREME 0 , (.. •'.. ' . ELEVATION CHANGES. • . 4 1 g= .) , ._:;,....;...t..._ ______L_ . ATKECQUIAsISITTIWOON ODF LAN,D TAD _gam:777' — ---7---- -- : LOGICAL TRAIL CORRIDOR. 1:.::::::::::::•. i .......-.....-...-.....-... 4 1 . • ,•.. .. -, 1 ::it-/ 1 , • / • • . :::::::::.:::::::::.:.:.::::::::::::::::::::::::::•:::.::.::::•:::":i:•:•:•:•:.:•;::•::::::*:•:::.:.:...:)..:...:..:. I'`-/Pr''r'',. Qs!"3-• .:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::-:-:::::::::::::::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::::::%:::::, 1-:(,)4,/ -c;•'• 1 1 4' , "\\ 1 ‘\i::041 .\i,.p •:•° °'1'. .. 4.1 j :a, . I s 4:—.1.2—L_I:j -s---..: • 1 (''' I ,4.4 LI( .__ _ \. . 004610 Alibi 1 1 , ! , . - -.1, 1 .-.7;..., ' ". ''i ...1)01.1"" ..:s • I ((Aiiii . i ■ 1 . ! 1 1000 0 1 0)0.0............2 CII)00 iL— —---,---— .— ---- 111 ., 1----.., , . i • 55 ID TO BE NAMED (SHIELY) MAP KEY: 21 CLASSIFICATION: Area Wide Park OWNER: City of Elk River • DESCRIPTION: This park is an 80-acre site. The site contains native old growth forest with extreme elevation changes. FACILITIES: V-'a ` . ' i \;I- Trails , , ,• _ -___---L_^.. . Q °� POSSIBLE FUTURE FACILITIES: • - t - - Biathlon Range .�,� � J: r~\ •� `712"-- e - Additional Trails ' '11 i r?' .. Interpretive Center D '� f � c i......,4_ , r. 1 ' ' t > --i i , -� I ) �i l I-: /N_` - ISSUES. : . `T . 4....7.1 ir. ‘'....1). 1-rr,c71 . ti - Adjacent to active ravel mine - -r.' a - Old Growth Mesic Oak Forest =� . 1r' t '', . 3 is: : tuses must - ^\'` AbLJ ::' ' be sensitive to this. .,�' ci f„ t 6