5.2. SR 03-12-1996ITEM 5.2.
~ty of
River
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Stephen Rohlf, Building
and Zoning Administrator
March 4, 1996 ~
Update of Master Park Plan/
Public Hearing
Attached, is the updated master park plan as recommended by the Park and
Recreation and Planning Commissions. This plan culminates a long effort to
make this update practical and workable and tries to distribute the cost of
the park system fairly. Hopefully, it is an economically realistic plan that not
only can be constructed but also maintained. The City Council will be
conducting public hearings regarding this plan to gain public input.
The plan itself inventories existing parks and projects future needs. The
major categories analyzed for future need include:
· Neighborhood parks
· Athletic facilities
· Community and area wide parks
· Natural (conservancy) and historic parks
· Trails
Implementation
The plan you have been provided looks like a finished product, however, a
packet of new pages with any changes will be provided to you after the
Council finalizes it. The maps in the final version will be in color.
Staff is recommending some minor changes to the plan so it is as up-to-date
as possible. Staffs recommended changes are as follows:
In the park plan, the urban service district is divided into park service
areas for the purpose of deciding the location of neighborhood parks.
Map C-1.1 titled, "Neighborhood Park Service Areas" (page 79), has
been adjusted to reflect the newly defined urban service district. The
locations of park service areas and neighborhood parks on the lands
added to the urban service district are reflected on this map.
s:Xb&zXsteverXpark-cc.doc
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
Page 2
Staff recommends maps C-1.2 titled, "Proposed Park Plan" (page 96)
and E-1.1 titled, "Comprehensive Park Plan" (page 107) also be
revised to show the neighborhood parks on the lands added to the
urban service area.
Additional trails are also needed on the lands added to the urban
service district. Staff recommends that those additional trails are
located as shown on the attached revised trail map and that maps D-
1.1 titled, "Trail and Parkway Plan" (page 100) and E-1.1 titled,
"Comprehensive Park Plan" (page 107) are so revised.
o
Staff is recommending the addition of the following paragraph to the
"Proposed Trail System" section of the plan (page 101): "The proposed
trails in this plan are shown in their preferred locations as much as
possible. However, their exact locations and the need for additional
trails will need to be determined as property develops and new road
corridors are established."
Table B-3.4 titled, "Athletic Facilities" (page 76) was not adjusted to reflect
the City's recent purchase of the Cass property. Exactly how many athletic
fields will be built on this property has not been decided and this property is
not addressed elsewhere in the plan. However, table B-3.4 is based on a full
development population in Elk River of 40,000 people, which is still the
estimated population based on the revised comprehensive plan. If this
population estimate holds true, development of athletic facilities on the Cass
property would significantly reduce the amount of additional land that the
City should purchase to accommodate athletics from what is recommended in
Table B-3.4.
The Park and Recreation Commission will be considering staffs proposed
changes at their March 13th meeting. We have gone over these changes with
Park and Recreation Commission chair Dana Anderson and do not anticipate
the Commission having any problems with them. Staff recommends the
Council approve the updated Master Park Plan contingent on the Park and
Recreation Commission's agreement with the changes. If they are not in
agreement staff will bring the plan back to the Council.
The logic behind the park system proposed is explained in the plan. If you
have questions regarding the plan, please do not hesitate to call staff prior to
Tuesday night's meeting.
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PARKWAY PLAN :: (Ill t~ N "... '
VII. PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
A. INTRODUCTION
The anticipated growth of the City during the next 20 years will dictate a need for additional
park and recreation and open space areas. The City recognizes this need and also recognizes
many existing opportunities to create an appropriate park and recreation system. A key
component of this system is a trail system that will connect commercial areas, public facilities
and residential neighborhoods.
Large parcels of undeveloped land exist in areas surrounding the urbanized core. The intent of
the Master Park Plan (an addendum to the City's Comprehensive Plan) is to identify land which
should be preserved for recreational and open space purposes as development takes place
within the city.
B. GOALS AND POLICIES
The following is a summary of the city's goals and objectives as they relate to parks and
recreation.
GOAL: Encourage the development of quality residential community which retains a
semi-rural atmosphere.
POLICIES:
· Continue the Iow-density residential development pattern through the use of open
space areas and the designation of buffer areas between non-compatible land uses.
· Enhance the community's quality of life by utilizing active open space,
comprehensive trail system, and natural open space.
GOAL: Provide and maintain adequate and efficient levels of public services within the
community.
POLICIES:
Create and maintain a trail system that allows for safe pedestrian movements
throughout the city and provides access to parks and other open spaces with active
and passive recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.
· Maintain and improve the City's existing public recreation facilities.
· Require developers of new residential areas to either dedicate public open space or
make a payment in lieu of dedication to the City's park improvement fund.
· Provide adequate number of recreational fields for youth and adult programming.
GOAL: Develop, preserve and protect environmental resources, such as forest, wetlands,
water bodies and their shorelines, within the area with respect to open space,
recreational uses, water and air quality, and natural ecosystems.
28
POLICIES:
· Encourage the preservation of shorelands, wetlands, and drainage ways.
· Encourage the preservation of natural contours and soils, and preservation of natural
vegetation.
· Preserve natural systems through acquisition, dedication, or easements.
· Require that development plans demonstrate a compatibility with natural features
and systems.
o
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 identity, 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.
C. CURRENT STATUS
The city is endowed with significant recreational assets in the form of dvers and lakes. The
Mississippi River has long stretches of undeveloped land along its shores. This land is conducive
to development into park land and trails for active and passive recreational use. Also, the Elk
River and Lake Orono provide opportunities for active and passive water related recreation.
Following is a summary of parks and associated facilities located within the city (Figure 7-A).
D. FUTURE PLAN
It is the City's desire to provide a variety of passive and active recreational activities and
opportunities for its citizens. Therefore, the City desires to improve the existing parks and develop
new parks consistent with future overall growth patterns. Priority items identified by the City
include: 1) Development of existing neighborhood parks and area wide parks to effectively
serve the recreational needs of the population Isee Master Park Plan for classification for criteria
of Parks). 2) An integrated trail system for pedestrian and bicycles which effectively ties together
existing and proposed parks and other public areas. 3) Acquisition of land for future parks.
The long range parks and trails plan (see Master Park Plan) considered natural features, existing
development and projected development. Features considered favorable for park land
include: forested areas, wetlands, shoreland of lakes, streams and rivers and abandoned
railroad beds. Designated locations of parks on the Park Plan are generalized in nature and are
subject to review as land develops. Figure 7~B illustrates existing parks throughout the
community.
29
E. NECESSARY ACTIONS
2.
3.
4.
5.
Adopted a revised Master Park Plan
Acquire appropriate lands for future parks.
Refine ordinances and policies regarding park development, use and maintenance.
Prepare development plans for undeveloped parks.
Negotiate agreements with other governmental units necessary to implement the Master
Park Plan.
Monitor park and recreation participation and establish appropriate programs based on
need.
30
FIGURE 7-A
CITY PARKS
Baldwin Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Barrinqton Park-
Current Status-
Oppoduntiies-
Country Crossin.q
Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Deerfield 2nd
Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Deerfield 4th
Park-
Current Status-
Elk Hills Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
1/4 Acres-Open
Developed-Playground equipment-no parking
Meet some neighborhood park needs.
2/3 Acres- Open
Developed playground equipment and basketball court-on
street parking.
Same as current.
7 Acres- Wooded
Undeveloped
Skating, neighborhood park needs, and natural setting for trails
and picnic area.
20 Acres- Mostly wetland.
Undeveloped
Trails- Open Space
2 Acres- Open
Developed- Sliding hill, playground equipment-Limited parking.
2/3 Acre
Undeveloped
Neighborhood park needs
Hillside Park-
Current Status-
OpDorunities-
80 Acres - Mostly wooded
Undeveloped
Possible limited spods facilities. Natural setting for trails and picnic
areas- parking can be accommodated.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Jockson &
Main Street-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Lions Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Meadow Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Meadowvale
Heiqhts Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Moldenhauer
.Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Nodh Terrace
Tot Lot-
Current Status-
Oppodunities-
Oak Knoll
Athletic Fields-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
FIGURE 7-A (continued)
1/2 Acre
Picnic tables and parking
Restoration of bandshell
34 Acres open with pond
Developed-playground equipment, basketball coud,
sliding hill, and picnic area-limited parking.
Trail system
1/4 Acre
Undeveloped
Neighborhood park needs.
40 Acres-mostly lowland. Approximately 12 acres of
wooded high ground.
Undeveloped.
May meet neighborhood park needs and accommodate
athletic facility and parking.
1 Acre - open/grass
Grass play area - no parking
Could provide some neighborhood park needs.
1/4 Acres
Undeveloped - limited access
Limited -serves immediate neighbors.
11 Acres (City podion)
Developed baseball/softball and soccer fields-
can also be used for football- connected to City trail system-
parking available.
Same uses as current. City may acquire a greater portion of
the facility.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Oak Knoll Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Orono Park/
Ballfield Complex-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Orono Parkway
Park-
Current Status-
Oppodunities-
park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Figure 7-A (Continued)
12 Acres - Wooded island.
Undeveloped.
Take advantage of natural setting of the Elk River-could possibly
accommodate some neighborhood park needs.
45 Acres - Adjacent to Lake Orono.
Developed with picnic areas, sand volleyball courts,
hiking trails, fishing pier, boat launch, softball fields, and
swimming beach- parking available.
Possibly more sports facilities (ball fields, tennis courts, and
hard courts). Lands adjacent could accommodate a civic
center.
3 Acres - Open grassy area.
Undeveloped.
Possible neighborhood flower garden and/or tennis courts.
5 Acres - Wooded
Developed- playground equipment, basketball court,
sliding hill, and picnic area - limited parking.
Same as current.
20.
Shiely Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
50 Acres - Threatened dry subtype oak forest.
In process of acquisition.
Addition to Woodland Trails Park.
21.
22.
Woodland Trails
Park-
Current Status-
Opportunities-
Railroad Trail-
Current Status-
Oppodunities-
164 Acres - Mostly wooded.
Developed with multi-purpose trails (hiking/cross country
skiing) - parking available- natural area.
Equestrian trail around perimeter- natural learning center.
73 acres (5.5 miles) of abandoned railroad right-of-way.
Developed as an unimproved trail corridor.
Multi-purpose recreational corridor.
Figure 7-A (Continued)
NON-CITY FACILITIES
Aa
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Babcock Park (State)
County Fairgrounds
Elk River Country Club
Handke Elementary School
Kelley Farm (Historic)
Meodowvale School
Pinewood Golf Course
School Campus (VandenBerge and Salk Jr. Highs, and Elk
River Senior High)
- !
g. HILLSIDE PARK
10.,JAO(SON AND MAINSTREET
11. LIONS PARK
12. MEADOW PARK
1.%. k~c. ADOWYALE HrlOHTS PARK
14. MOLDE]',JHAUER PARK
15, NORll'I I~RRAC[ TOT LOT
16, OAK KNOLL A1HLLrllC FIELDS
17. ORONO PARK
18. RAJL~OAD 11~AIL
19. RIDOEWO00 EAST PARK
20. TOP OF 11.1£ WO~LD PARK
21. WOOOLAJ4D TRAILS PARK
EXISTING PARKS AND
RECREATION SYSTEM
City ! .~
Elk iver -
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