Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/09/1995 - Public Hearing @ 6:08

Home

Narrative Describe your proposals objectives, outcomes and the projects benefits. Consider the who, what, why, how and when approach. Ensure that the printing is able to be photo copied and include exhibits, photos, or additional sheets if necessary. Who: The Ramsey Environmental Learning Area Committee (members include Ramsey teachers and principal, residents, members o4 Ramsey Green Team, representatives from Anoka-Hennepin School District, Tree Trust, and Anoka Area Garden Club.) What: We would like to create a boardwalk into the Wetland Area of the RELA Nature Trail. This boardwalk would meet handicap accessible requirements, would be 70 feet long by 8 feet wide, would have a "T" area (10 feet by 30 feet) large enough to allow a 30+ member class to sit, observe and research the area. Why: We believe the Nature Trail and Wetland area provides a unique educational resource for the Ramsey community. We would like to enhance this experience by allowing persons to observe, reflect, and research from the center of the Wetland area. It will allow Ramsey students, as well as residents, to use the wetland as an environmental learning area. Students can pursue the Science Curriculum objectives (habitats, predator-prey, microscopic animals, experimental design, environmental stewardship, etc.) at this Site. Residents will also discover the boardwalk as one of the most secluded nature view areas in Ramsey's urbanized area. Our goal is to replicate the experience of the Lake Itasca boardwalk in Ramsey's urban area. How: Our community has responded very positively to this Nature Trail. We had more than 1000 residents (adults and children) help in the creation of the Trail, chipping the Trail, and identifying plant and animals species with markers. These volunteers have invested countless hours on this community project. We're confidant we can call upon these active supporters to build the boardwalk. We need the financial resources to help purchase the materials for the project. The volunteers will provide the tools and labor for the project. The School District will provide some of the heavy equipment if it's necessary (per Tom Redman) in building the boardwalk. When: The project would be designed in January and February. Materials would be purchased in March. We would request technical help from Mark Boos and Tom Redman in terms of the best time to assemble and the "layout" for the boardwalk. Mark has completed a beautiful project, the Itasca Trail and Boardwalk. We will need at least a month to coordinate the volunteers and arrange their work schedule. The boardwalk would be completed by August, 1995 and dedicated at the beginning the the School