06-14-94 PR05/11/94 12:62
Nakanson
Anderson
Assoc., Inc.
22Z Monro,, Street
Anoka, Minnesota 55303
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Remarks:
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CONCERNING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
OF
OTSEGO PRAIRIE PARK
The Otsego Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a public
hearing to discuss proposed development of Otsego Prairie Park.
The hearing will be held in the Council Chanber at Otsego City Hall
at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 1994.
The public is invited to meet with the Commission to review the
proposed development plan for the park, review options for funding
development, and offer input regarding Otsego Prairie Park
development.
Everyone who is interested in the future of Otsego Prairie Park
should attend. Your active participation in the planning stage
will be most welcome.
Tom Baillargeon
Chairman Parks and Recreation Commission
nOCUMENT HAS BEEN COUT TO
MAYOR L_— --
;►7Y COUNCIL
V CLERK
Y PLANNER
ATTORNEY ---
it ENGINEER
MING COMMISSION
' `R
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of this plan is to identify parks
development and open space needs as, Wright County grows
during the years 1991-1996.
The plan will provide background information, policies,
and goals for those making the decisions regarding Wright
County's Park System.
Responsibilities will be defined, the "niche" that the
County Park System will fill will also be clarified.
Finally this report will inform elected county
officials, county residents and other local units of
government of Wright County's future plans for its park
system.
Institutional Framework
Wright County recognizes that other public and private entities
provide parks and recreational resource areas. It's important that
each level of government (federal, state, county, and local) take
responsibility for a specific scale and type of park facility.
Facilities range from large national parks down to local playlots.
The County targets its efforts towards large area -wide recreational
and resource areas. As long as each level of government is a mindful
Of its role, a full range of opportunities will result without
duplicating services and facilities.
The role of the Federal and State Government is to manage and
provide large-scale recreation areas for its citizens. Roles consist
of maintaining the outstanding natural, cultural and historic
resources, as well as the conservation of various natural resources
and wildlife management sites. Federal and state resources offer a
range of recreational opportunities and uses that will attract people
from wide distances. A long one—day trip or overnight trips are often
required. Federal and state parks are generally natural
resource -oriented, and extensive recreation facilities are usually
limited.
The role of Local Government is to provide for the establishment
and maintenance of recreation areas designed for frequent short term
use by local residents. These parks can vary in size from small one
acre neighborhood playgrounds to 100+ acre sites located within
walking or short driving distance of the intended local user
population. Organized recreational programs can easily be a common
feature of local parks. Playgrounds, playfields, tennis courts, and
skating rinks are among the facilities provided in local recreation
areas. Some local interest is also taking place in the preservation
of wetlands, waterways, and environmental corridors.
The role of the Private Sector is to offer a number of
recreational services including campgrounds, resorts, golf courses,
and camps. Most of these are open to the general public on a user fee
basis. The private recreational facilitators should be encouraged to
provide facilities that meet acceptable standards and wisely use
natural resources.
The role of the Wright County Parks should be to compliment the
services and opportunities these other entities provide. The park
areas are designed to primarily serve an area wide population with
traveling distances to be no more than one hour. Facilities such as
picnic areas, boat launches, nature trails and water access sites are
in order. An emphasis should be placed on retaining native and
naturally significant areas such as mature hardwood forests and Wright
County's abundant wetlands.
HISTORY OF PAST PLANNING EFFORTS
Wright County has had past planning efforts to establish guidelines on
how to best facilitate open space for recreational purposes for future
generations.
This first such plan was completed in 1966. Its purpose was to
provide a general guide for the future physical development for Wright
County to expand for two decades. An analysis of existing facilities and a
layout of standards made it possible to make recommendations for future
needs with an attempt to project changes in the number and distribution of
population and land use patterns. It was also decided not to use eminent
domain to purchase parkland.
In 1977, an updated version of the 1966 plan was adopted to revise the
natural resources, recreation, and county facilities plan of 1966 to be
more specific to the Wright County Parks Department needs for recreational
opportunities. Objectives for the Wright County Parks advisory board were
established. An analysis was made of recreational land use in Wright
County and how it fits into the whole spectrum of Wright County Open Space.
Requirements for recreational open space were grouped into three areas,
(land space, water space and lineal land or water space) to show the
diversity in demands for open space. A parks classification system was
brought into effect in order to evaluate and determine each existing parks
potential and capability. This sytem was implemented so that there could
be an organized approach to acquisition and development for both present
and future generations. Each facility was identified in one of the
following catagories: County Park Reserve, County Forest, County Park,
)roken down to County Recreation area or County River System Park), County
sysides. After each park was established into a catagory, a five year
action plan for implementation was layed out with recommendations for
development or acquisition.
In 1985-86 a computer aided analysis of Wright County Open Space was
completed by the University of Minnesota Landscape Architecture program.
The purpose of the 1985-86 plan was to update population and land use
patterns in Wright County. Surveys were taken to get a more accurate
picture of who is using the park system and what the current recreational
trends are for the diversified populations in Wright County. The survey
results were graphed and recommendations were made to best facilitate the
growing demands of rural and progressively more urbanized areas.
GOALS AND POLICIES
A. Overall Goals
The parks system plan has three main goals:
1) To preserve key natural resources of the County in permanent open
space.
2) To provide sufficient open space for Parks and Recreation Areas,
as well as providing space for activities beyond our vision,
while it is still available.
3) To provide evidence that our generation by preserving for future
generations, had concerns for the quality of life in the future.
B. Policies for Parks and Recreation
1) Provide recreational opportunities that are consistent with the
County's role in the overall system of parks in the region.
- The state provides regionally significant parks and open
space needs.
- The County should provide intermediate resource based parks
that demonstrate a regional clientele.
Cities should provide parks and playgrounds to meet local
community needs, including intensive recreational uses.
2) Priority in siting parks should be given to areas which;
provide for year-round multipurpose areas, especially water
and trail oriented activities.
are likely to be lost through development
3) Wright County recognizes that the key to preserving our
environment is education. Wright County will encourage and
provide a positive setting from which to provide and promote
environmental education in the parks. It will be the County's
philosophy that there is no better place to educate about the
environment than in the outdoors. Environmental education shall
assume a more prominent place in the Parks Department
responsibilities.
C. Policies for Implementation
1) The County should encourage greater state and federal allocation
of financial resources for parks acquisition and improvements.
2) Maintain volunteer programs, as well as "Sentence To Service",
and restition programs to support departmental activities.
3) Relinquishment of county -owned park land for purposes other than
preservation of recreation shall be dependent on:
- an equal exchange of land
- revenues go to additional parks land or improvements
- action is consistent with local and regional plans
- determining that the land is surplus
- its transfer to another government agency
4) Donations of land* to the County parks System shall be evaluated
In terms of:
- consistency with needs identified in this plan
- proximity to existing parks
- maintenance and development costs
- any special environmental or cultural qualities
the County being able to accept a donation of land and have
the option to resell the land, using the proceeds to
purchase other park land
the County should cooperate with private groups and with
other units of government in financing and in sharing
5) The County should continue to pursue assuming responsibility for
areas and facilities that demonstrate a regional clientele, and
consider turning over to the most appropriate unit of government,
parks and facilities that do not meet County standards, provided
that the lands are kept as parks.
6) The County should establish a stable source of acquisition funds,
using parks dedication fees. The dedication fees should be
deposited in the parks fund, earmarked for acquisition only.
NMS ANALYSIS
This section will analyze the need to make improvements and
acquisition for the next five years. It should be noted that for the
purpose of this report the amount of in-depth analysis done, and in-depth
number crunching will be avoided, unless it is determined that the parks
staff needs to take a closer look at Wright County's population.
Wright County is blessed with its landscape. We have many lakes that
provide countless recreating hours for Wright County's residents and
tourists. Unfortunately these resources are not always evenly distributed
by quantity or quality.
By in large recreating residents at Wright County are served quite
well. Parkland and recreation area needs are measured by a standards
approach. The National Recreation and Parks Association has developed a
minimum standard of 25 acres of recreational open space per 1,000 people.
This standard is only a minimum guide and should not be taken as a sole
determinant in parkland needs.
Wright County has done an exceptional job of acquiring parkland
acreage through the years but the distribution and function of each piece
of parkland needs to continue to be scrutinized by the County. Boundaries
for not yet completed parks still need to be looked at, and acquisition to
completely fill these boundaries should to be considered.
Improvements to facilities either through development or acquisition
should be done according to availability and demand. Trends in demand
-hall be measured through local surveys as well as SCORP (State
mprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan).
In 1985 a survey was done of Wright County residents asking whether
they thought county facilities were adequate for several outdoor recreation
activities (Table 1). The survey response strongly supported the need for
linear recreation facilities like bike and horse trails.
The DNR (SCORP) indicates very heavy outdoor recreation demand for
Wright County through 1995 and 1996. Considering the demand by both County
and out of county residents, SCORP projections highlight many of the same
needs indicated in the 1985 Survey of County Residents (Table 1 SCORP
Priorities).
RECOMIENTATIONS — FIVE YEAR PARK NEEDS
Existing Wright County Parks
In previous parts of this plan past planning efforts and needs have
been discussed. Since the main emphasis of this plan will be looking to
the future five years, this section will make some
general
for each park for the next five years. Realizing that pri
recommendations
to
be made, only a few parks will have detailed development plans. Eachepark
will be described briefly, with a recommendation for possibilities in the
next five years. Possible acquisition to existing parks will also be
addressed. A map on page shows the locations of the Parks.
County Recreational Parks
Beebe Lake Regional Park - Beebe Lake is located 6 miles east of Buffalo on
CSAH 34. The Park covers 67 acres and offers facilities such as; swimming
beach, picnic area and shelter, hiking trail, volleyball court, horseshoes,
prairie restoration area, modern restrooms, fishing pier and group camp
areas. Beebe Lake is not owned by Wright County, it is leased from
Hennepin County Park Reserve District on a $1.00/25 year lease. This has
not stopped Wright County, however from operating it as its own.
Recommendation: Beebe has been developed to its maximum potential. No
major improvements are planned in the next five years. Maintenance of the
facility should be kept up to ensure quality.
learwater/Pleasant Regional Park - Clearwater Pleasant Park was purchased
from the Hennepin County Park Reserve District 1986. Hennepin County had
owned the property since the early 70's, holding on to it until Wright
County had the resources to acquire the property. The park has 1k miles of
lakeshore on Clearwater Lake and � mile on Pleasant Lake.
Recommendation: In 1987 Wright County received a LAWCON grant to improve
the beach on Pleasant Lake. 1991 will mark the completion of this project.
There are 8 privately held cabins on the Clearwater side of the park. Each
parcel is surrounded by the park on three sides. Hennepin County had begun
purchasing these properties, Wright County should continue
to
these inholdings, using funds from the recommended Park fund. Purchasinge
the parcels should take place as they become available, some perhaps within
the 5 years this plan covers.
Collinwood Regional Park - Collinwood Park is 320 acres opened in 1976.
Currently the park has 50 modern campsites, trails, beach, lake access and
more.
Recommendation: Maintaining what is at the park should be of prime
concern. There are no plans for major improvements within the next 5
years.
Montissippi Park - Montissippi Park is 170 acres just west of Monticello on
CSAH 75. The park has a wide variety of coniferous and deciduous trees.
Monticello is one of the fastest growing areas of the County with no change
in the growth pattern forseen.
Recommendation: A grant application was submitted to the State Department
of Trade and Economic Development in 1989. The application was
unsuccessful. This park is very much underused and would serve the region
much better with the following improvements. Improve the picnic area, add
some play equipment, add picnic shelter, paved bike trails, paved roads,
etc. All of these improvements were addressed in the 1989 Grant
application. The Montissippi Park Grant application should be resubmitted
at the next grant cycle in 1993.
Mud Lake - 30 acres of picnic, wooded area, boat launch, etc. Five miles
north of Cokato at the intersection of CSAH 35 and Co -Rd. 4.
Recommendation: No major improvements anticipated in the 5 years.
Oscar and Anna Johnson - 5 miles southwest of Waverly, 44 acres on Dog
Lake. Picnic area, small beach, dock, toilets, nursery etc.
Recommendation: None at this time.
Otsego - 30 acres on the Mississippi River, near Elk River. This Park was
eveloped in 1984 using Great River Road funds. Features include play
.rea, toilets, hiking trails, prairie restoration area, canoe launch.
Otsego Township has just recently become a city. The City of Otsego has
the highest population of any municipality in the County, and growing.
Otsego Park is very popular with the residents in the area.
Recommendation: In 1989 the County applied for and received a LCMR Grant
to improve and expand Otsego Park. The grant included the acquisition of
55 additional acres and the extension of the current trail system. Total
project cost is $134,000.00 with a 50/50 cost share. Tentatively
acquisition is set to take place in 1992, with the trail development in
1993. The expansion of Otsego Park will bring it within the Regional Park
category.
Schroeder - Northeast of Annandale, off of CSAH 39. This Park covers 40
acres on the north end of Cedar Lake. Schroeder is very heavily used,
there are some days in the summer when the gate to the park must be closed
for safety reasons. Camping and swimming are the main activities in the
park.
Recommendations: The electric hookups for campers were partially updated
in 1988, the rest are scheduled to be upgraded this year, 1991. There has
been alot of work done the in the restrooms in the last five years, so not
:h needs to be updated with buildings. The parking lot and roads should
graded with red rock as funds allow.
stir8walt Memorial - Located on the east side of Limestone Lake in
picnic area. Silver
Creek Township. This park is 3 acres in size, with its main function as a
Recommendation: No improvements are planned. Because of the parks size
and proximity to the Limestone Lake access thought should be given as to
its place within the Park system.
Zumbrunnen - This park also is in Silver Creek Township, just south of
Hasty off of I-94. Total acreage is 80, with a small picnic area, parking
lot and hiking trails.
Recommendation: No improvements planned in the next five years.
River System Parks
Wright County is fortunate to have a system of Parks along the North Fork
of the Crow River. These parks include Wildlife, Albrights Mill, Bill
Anderson, Humphrey Arends, Crow Springs, and Riverside. Each park is
strategically located along the river. All, with the exception of Wildlife
offer a picnic area and public access to the river. Wildlife has no picnic
area.
Recommendation: Each one of these parks has its own personality,
contributing to overall beauty of the River System Parks. All are
developed to their full potential as seen by today's standards. 'Some minor
Improvements may be made, such as tree planting, parking lot upgrading and
)ssible additions of trails.
County Park Reserves
Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserve - Stanley Eddy is divided into 4
separate units, total acreage is 620 acres. The Northern Unit is the
largest at 120 acres. The Central Unit is undeveloped. The Northern,
Southeastern, Southwestern all have extensive trail systems within them, as
well as backpack campsites and picnic areas. The trails serve a multiple
use of hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing in the winter.
These trails are some of the more popular in the County, simple because of
the picturesque area of the County they lie within.
Ytecommendation: When the County first began acquisition for Stanley Eddy
in the 70's the intention was for a large contiguous Park Reserve. Total
acreage would have been around 1,800 acres. As time went on and grant
funds have dried up it has become evident that 1,800 acres is not
realistic. It should be the goal of the County to connect the existing
separate units. A combination of property acquisitions plus trail
easements seems to be the most palatable at this time. The acquisitions
should be made as willing sellers come up. An established park acquisition
fund would take some of the anxiety out of property purchases. Advance
acquisition planning will pay off in the long run. Connecting the northern
unit may not be possible because of the distance involved. Connecting the
SE, SW, and the Central units would greatly enhance the utility of the
park. Currently the Central unit is undeveloped and unused. A connection
between units would be the best use of the current resources.
Robert Ney Memorial - North of Maple Lake on CSAH 8, this park is centrally
located in Wright county. 365 acres include lakeshore on Lake Mary,
hardwood forests, pine plantations, meadow, and marshy areas. A wide
variety of plant like and wildlife abound.
A small memorial chapel, picnic area, multi -use trails, and public access
are currently within the park.
Recommendation: For the past eight years Wright County Parks and the
Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District have co -hosted a Spring
Environmental Education Field Day. For the last two years it has been
three days in length. The field day is held exclusively for Wright
County's fifth graders. It has been very well attended, in 1991 750 to
000 school children will attend. Ney Park is in an ideal location in
_erms of its central location for traveling to and it wide variety of
natural ecological communities. For these reasons Ney Park as an
environmental education center should be considered. Using this park as a
outdoor classroom would be a natural fit for this park.
Two methods of financing could be used as a means to make an Environmental
Education facility a reality. One method would be to wait until the next
grant cycle in 1993 and apply for an Outdoor Recreation Grant through the
State Department of Trade and Economic Development. Monies from the
Environmental Trust fund may become available sometime in the next several
years.
Servicing for such a facility could be done in house, on a reservation
basis only, using Parks Department staff, and volunteers.
minimal. Costs would be
Presently the closest public environmental education facility is at Elm
Creek Park Reserve (Eastman Nature Center) in Northern Hennepin County.
Eastman is registered to capacity at peak times far in advance. Wright
County would be providing an educational facility that would truly fulfill
a regional need.
County Forests
Carl Johnson - This park is 40 acres of mature hardwood forest. The trail
loop within the park is very popular with the residents of that area.
Recommendation: none at this time.
Harry Larson - 170 acres of mature oak forest, rolling terrain with open
meadows and pothole marshes. North of Lake Maria State Park. Harry
Larson's trail are extremely popular to both hikers and cross-country
skiers.
Recommendation:
County Waysides
none at this time.
Clearwater - On CSAH 75 just west of Clearwater, within the City limits, 6
acres of red cedar and oak overlooking the Clearwater River.
Recommendation: The Clearwater Wayside was created as part of a
right-of-way vacated by the State Department of Transportation. The Park
is within the Clearwater City limits and clearly falls within their city
park system much better than it fits within the county's. If the
opportunity arises the County should attempt to turn the park over to the
City of Clearwater.
Thistin Monument - On State Hwy. 12, west of Howard Lake. Contains a
Lstoric monument and picnic shelter, 1 acre.
Recommendation: none at this time.
Fairhaven Bill Historic Wayside - Fairhaven Mill is located within Stearns
County just over the border from Wright County. Both Wright County Parks
and Stearns County Parks share equally the cost of operating Fairhaven
Mill.
Recommendation: Wright County's name is on the deed to this property
simply because a government body needed to own the property. The Dam - was
located on to ensure the lake levels behind the dam. Owning a park outside
the County is extremely unusual. This park also lies within the Town
limits .of Fairhaven. Clearly this park, as nice and heavily used as it is
does not fall within Wright County's Park System. If the opportunity
arises attempts should be made to transfer ownership of this park to the
most appropriate governing body, either the town of Fairhaven or Stearns
County Parks Department.
County Accesses
Crawford Lake - South of Buffalo, off of State Hwy. 25. Access on south
le of lake. Small picnic area and play equipment.
D-^ommendation: None at this time.
•Limestone Lake - Off of CSAH 8 south of Hasty, picnic sites, earth ramp.
Recommendation: Turn over to the DNR
Little Waverly: Off of CSAH 8 Northwest of Waverly.
Recommendation - Turn over to the DNR
Maple Lake: East end of Maple Lake
Recommendation - Turn over to the DNR
Recommendation - Priorities and Action
Picnic Area, Access.
1) Acquisitions (See previous section for specific need).
First Priority
Otsego
2) Actions - Proceed with LCMR Grant
Proposed Developments
1) Developments
First Priority
Otsego - Trails and prairie
expansion.
improvements
Montissippi - Trail improvements
enlarge picnic area, add shelters,
group camp area, pave roads, etc.
Ney Park - Environmental Ed
Facility, improve trails etc.
2) Actions -
Second Priority
Stanley Eddy
Clearwater/Pleasant Inholdings
Second Priority
Stanley Eddy - Trail improvements,
self guided nature trail
A. Proceed with Otsego developments
B. Apply for grant for Montissippi grant through the State Department
of Trade and Economic Development in 1993.
C. Apply for grant for Environmental Ed Facility in 1993 along with
the Montissippi application, with the intention of only receiving
one.
D. Trail improvements should be done in-house.
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SPACES
MILES OF
HIKING TRAILS
MILES OF
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SKI TRAILS
MILES OF
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MILES OF HORSE-
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