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<br />be updated to plan for a robust and accessible trail system. As development <br />occurs, the ,ystem will continue to be constructecl, Pli1lnnlng and park staff can <br />reassess accessibility In 5 year increments thrQugh a mapping exercise to <br />ensure that the goal Is being met. The main polley direction to ensure that <br />access to trails continues to Increase will likely be the Implementation of the <br />Master Trail Plan, which Identifies the locations of future trails. This document <br />Is likely to be revised as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update process, and <br />language could be added to identify the goal of ensuring access to trails for a <br />majority of residents within 600 meters of their homes. <br /> <br />The Parks and Trails section of the Comprehensive Plan can also be updated to <br />Include public access to active open spaces for a majority of the population as a <br />goal. <br /> <br />Another policy direction could be the addition of incentives for development <br />that meets piilrk and trail access goals. For example, developers who show that <br />new residents will have walking access to active open space and trails would be <br />provided with an Incentive such as expedited review or density bemuses. (This <br />type of incentive system cOl,lld be applied mQre broadly to Include all HIA <br />goals,) <br /> <br />Acquisition of additional park land (or funds to buy park land) will also be done <br />through the use of the park dedication requirements. While the park dedication <br />requlraments are seen as adequate for acquiring the necessary iilmount of land <br />to meet the goal, the actual implementation of the park plan may present <br />challenges. First. adequate staff is necessary to plan for park needs, review <br />development proposals for the inclusion of park space, and to facilitate the <br />purchase, design and construction of new parks and recreation facilities. <br /> <br />A second challenge may be public percep,tion of park service needs. During the <br />Comprehensive Plan Update process, It was mentioned by many members of <br />the public that Ramsey should focus on larger park space with more activities at <br />each park rather than smaller, neighborhood-serving parks. Before these small <br />parks are developed, they appear to be Just vacant open spaces rather than <br />useful park space, Small parks also Cannot accommodate large, active uses <br />lluch as bllseball diamonds, sQccer fields, or other large play areC\$ which some <br />residents expressed a desire for. The gall of providing many ISmail parks within <br />ill s~Qrt dI5t;,mc:e of most homes may be at odds with the desires of residents to <br />have fewer large, centrally located parKs that serve larger illrEla$ (although <br />thrQugh uSe of a private automobile), One solution may be to fully develop <br />these small neighborhood parks more quickly after they are acquired so that <br />neighbors are aware they are park land and assign them more value. <br /> <br />18 <br /> <br />-124- <br />