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0 <br /> <br />0 <br /> <br />of the Anoka County Parks and Recreadon System. }Ye <br />are celebrating our 40th year anniversary !! . <br /> <br />In 2965, the/lnoka County Board of Commissioners, <br />then chaired by Albert Kordiak of Columbia Heights, <br />secured leglslatlon giving counties the authority to create <br />county park systems. The very first county park - <br />Kordiak County ]*ark - is named in honor of this very <br />important contribution by 3~lr. Kordiak and his <br />leadership on the county' board <br />IZrom those humble beginnings in.1963, the county park <br />system has grown to became one of the largest and most <br />heavily used in the entire state. The current park. system <br />has 2Spark units comprising just over 9,000 acres, and <br />is host to more than three million visitors each year! <br /> <br /> Photo of Kord~ak County Park <br /> <br />This success is due to the tremendous variety and <br />distribution of open space areas that make up the county <br />park system. Long before standards were in vogue, <br />defining the types of parks that counties were best suited <br />to supply, Anoka County was in the process of acquiring <br />lands containing significant natural resources. The <br />county had set a goal to create a parks system that <br />offered Water-based recreation and passive leisure <br />opportunities in close reach of all county residents. <br /> <br />Manomin County Park, acquired'in the 1970's, offers a <br />variety of recreation at the confluence of Rice. Creek and <br />the Mississippi River including the Banfill Locke Center <br />for the Arts <br /> <br />development of the county park system, as it's first <br />director. In the 1960's, 70~s and 80's he and-the <br />successive county boards were busy acquiring the lands <br />that now .'make up' the regional parks, park reserves, <br />regional trails, and county parks. It was also a time of <br />development of the park facilities that still form the <br />backbone of our very successful park system - our trails, <br />campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, and nature center& <br />'For those of us (like' me)who are more recent additions <br /> <br /> The 2003 park permit includes the' celebration of the 40 <br /> year anniversary <br /> <br />to this long and rich history, we owe a huge debt of <br />gratitude to those who came before us. It is our desire to <br />carry on this tradition of Success in the Anoka County <br />Park System.' }ge take our jobs very seriously and are <br />working hard to build on the exciting vision that .our <br />forefathers created <br /> <br />Today, we are seeking to improve and ~.xpand county <br />recreation facilities to meet the needs of a growing <br />county., ff'e are using our 2020 Vision Plan ~o explore <br />options for protection and conservation of open spaces so <br />that future generations can enjoy sustainable recreation. <br />opportunities in the great outdoors. In so doing, we take <br />pride in our relationships with state, regional, and local <br />conservation agencies who have provided over- <br />$12,000,000 in cooperative'funding in just the 'last lO <br />years. 14~e highly value our volunteers, corporate <br />sponsors, and organizations who continually catapult us <br />to higher levels of success. : . . ' ' <br /> <br />Despite ail we hear about budget defiCits, We know'that ' <br />better times lie ahead. With our vast resources, unique <br />facilities, and a growing public interest in the out-of- <br />doors we are well poised for a very bright future. To all" <br />of those that have been a part of this success, including <br />the leadership of our county board, a very big '~hank <br />you." <br /> <br />Please join me and all o foUr staff in celebrating 40 great <br />Years itt the Anoka County Park System! <br /> - John VonDeLinde- <br /> <br />Page 1 <br /> <br /> <br />