5.3. PRSR 06-10-2015 l Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Parks and Recreation Commission 5.3
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Action Item June 10, 2015 Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director
Item Description Reviewed by
Incorporating and renaming Big Tooth Ridge Park Cal Portner,City Administrator
to Woodland Trails Park. Reviewed by
Action Requested
Discussion of incorporating Big Tooth Ridge Park and the Great Northern Trail into Woodland Trails
Park as recommended in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Recommend,by motion,incorporating and renaming Big Tooth Ridge Park to Woodland Trails Park.
Background/Discussion
The Parks Master Plan (pg. 49) recommends formally incorporating Big Tooth Ridge Park as an
extension of Woodland Trails Park. It also recommends incorporating the Great Northern Trail into
Woodland Trails Park. The Commission discussed these concepts during a work session on the concept
plan for Woodland Trails. The Great Northern Trail will continue to keep its name and will formally be
included as part of Woodland Trails.
With Woodland Trail's unique recreation offerings, significant size,regional trail access,and habitat as
part of a bigger unique ecosystem,it is a strong candidate for regional park status through the state.
After the Commission recommends this action,staff plans to include this in the application to request
that the park be formally designated as being regionally significant. Regional designation by the Greater
Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission is required prior to recommendation for Legacy Parks
&Trail funding by the Commission.
The next step following the city policy on renaming requires that staff post a public notice at least 10-
days prior to the July Commission meeting. It will be the same type of notice that was posted for the
Houlton Farm property. Staff is still in need of this action for renaming this month,so that it can be
included in the application that is due June 30.
Financial Impact
None at this time.
Attachments
• Park and Recreation Master Plan Woodland Trails Concept
[ mein II
NATURE
Fi:ure 5.3 Si:nature Park Concept Woodland Trails
• - S i �i F
9P
.4evebp tra Iheads w•th
,., TPr- s Y mg areas,wayTnAing n
M(ormat on along to r
rE•. -r,
..�4 vi JA! 3 A 1CrE..!.'. tf* ' 5Y�''
t
e .,,,� •�
' ./'.
n ny evamton
on Koadtand Trails '.' .
�,+ r k k .; 4 �3. � 2x s.. -t.r _ .♦ t
�S v,M1F w�si.- L•
•
5 - ! oorate the Rio Toth Ridge•
i t a C Glee".o•them i p
4=4,
4 Develop iradheadS x: �, � x
usingareas,�
!ntormat on along the ..- .•;. '.fir 415t.: ` a
Great Northern Dail
r .
Woodland Trails
Improvements to Woodland Trails will include construction of a small building that will act as a warming house and a
location for environmental programs,and a maintenance and storage facility for park equipment.Improved wayfinding
at the entrance will welcome regional users arriving from Elk Lake Road or the Great Northern Trail.The park will
formally incorporate Big Tooth Ridge,a park that has functioned as an extension of Woodland Trails.As mining gets
closer to the park,invasive species removal and prevention continues,and tree diseases are combated,the park needs an
in-depth natural resources and forestry plan.After mining concludes,consider integrating additional parkland,a lake
feature at the southern end of the mining district,and greenways connecting from future neighborhoods to the park.
With Woodland Trails'unique recreation offerings,significant size,regional trail access,and habitat as part of a bigger
unique ecosystem,it is a strong candidate for regional park status through the state.
atra•sexra++r.a+err.r•,aa4++r4+aa•+aee•ax+♦ar+.+a+44 Y+r+r•+•aa•aas4 4+r ar+xr•r++,ax 44.++ra+a••rara+ax4++444••s••a O+a r+•er♦•+.rras srrr
49 City of Elk River-Parks and Recreation Master Plan