Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/13/2010

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• Fills gaps in existing programs. Describe the target audience in this program and how they would benefit from these activities or programs. RESPONSE: There are many different types of trail patrons anticipated from the construction of this Facility due to the regional significance -therefore, there is not a `target' audience per se, but rather a very wide demographic that will be served. • Provides more than a local benefit. An example of such a program is a bicycle/pedestrian safety program conducted in several school districts. RESPONSE: Of the 3,000 mile, 10-state Mississippi River Trail, 2,000 miles are already in place. Several National sites are along the MRT, including the 72 mile Mississippi National River and Recreation Area that this trail project is within. It is fully anticipated and understood, that amulti-million dollar emphasis will be made to connect these gaps, leading up to the National Park Service's 2016 Centennial. As the MRT rises in prominence as a national recreational destination: regions and communities that have safe, well- connected trails parks and retail opportunities can expect to gain considerable tourism impacts. This proiect will enable the north metropolitan area to receive significant and on-going returns on investment that this TE proiect will enable. 3. Relationship between Categories (100 points). Projects will score higher if they provide multiple benefits toward the purpose of the Transportation Enhancements program. Applicants should review the respective category criteria to determine the extent to which the project relates to the other two categories: • What is the relationship to the Scenic and Environmental group? For example, how does the bike/ped project provide a natural resource enhancement? RESPONSE: The boulevard trees are clearly a natural resource enhancement. However, one critical element of this project is restoring ecological functioning of King's Island by the removal of two massive earthen dikes that have destroyed the hydraulic functioning of the island's side stream channel, • What is the relationship to the Historic and Archaeological group? For example, how does the bike/ped project take advantage of or enhance historic and cultural resources or provide orientation/interpretation to users? RESPONSE: The two interpretive displays identified in the project description will greatly enhance trail users appreciation of the area, through education and orientation. In addition, another aspect of the activity leading up to construction will be a Project Memorandum and Cultural Resource Analysis for King's Island. This is unlikely to occur without this project - if there are archaeological resources on the island, they may ultimately may be lost having not been discovered (and protected) by virtue of this larger project. Should archaeological resources be Found, this will add to the cultural and historic richness of the Mississippi River Trail. 4. Relationship to IntermodaUMultimodal Transportation System (100 points). Discuss how the project will function as a component and/or enhancement of the transportation system: • How will the bicycle or pedestrian facility benefit the experience of users of the transportation system? RESPONSE: In addition to the various intermodal connections to be made available by this proposed trail discussed elsewhere in this application, it is also noted that Ramsey residents do not have access to the Metropolitan Transit Bus service. This trail will provide Ramsey residents bicycle and pedestrian access to these stops in downtown Anoka. Plus, any travelers that use this trail reduce the number of vehicles along US Hwy's #10 & #169. • How will the project benefit multiple modes of transportation? An example of a project that would do this would be a bicycle facility that connects to a transit center or a mixed-use pedestrian-oriented district, or a pedestrian project that is a component of atransit-oriented development. RESPONSE: The Mississippi River Trail will benefit multiple modes of transportation as enumerated in this application. The completion of the pedestrian overpass over Hwy's #10 & #169 (please see Capital