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The City of Ramsey is approximately 29 square miles in area and has a population of <br />approximately 23,500. Establishing parks and creating quality recreational and open space <br />opportunities ities remains a high priority for the City. There are approximately 500 acres of existing <br />municipal parkland and two regional parks with varying amenities, creating a comprehensive <br />system with many diverse opportunities to recreate and enjoy the natural environment. <br />The City's newest park, called The Draw, is approximately 7 acres in size and has been <br />conceptualized as a blend of natural and planned open space accounting for programmed <br />activities, hardscape, and passive uses. It is located in the east central area of the 420 acre COR <br />Development, with residential uses along its north border and primarily mixed uses and <br />community spaces along the south border. The amphitheater proposed for The Draw will be an <br />important component of the City's overall park and trail system, which will help link new and <br />existing residents to the COR. <br />The site is surrounded by public roads and includes an overpass bridge for vehicular traffic, <br />which bisects the site on a north and south alignment along Rhinestone Avenue. Major <br />components of the plan include an amphitheater, with seating for 300, partially funded by a <br />Metropolitan Council Livable Cominunities grant; a water feature that also serves as a <br />stormwater element of the overall development, memorial garden/promenade, public art, <br />pedestrian links (trails, sidewalks and bridges), a reconstructed wetland classroom for ecological <br />education, and passive open spaces. Additionally, there are three locations with scenic overlooks <br />along the trails and the wetlands. <br />This park will preserve green space for recreation and natural filtration of stormwater, as well as <br />establishing a corridor connection for wildlife. The stormwater element within the park will also <br />be used to capture surface runoff from a portion of the overall development, as a means of water <br />conservation and re -circulation to irrigate this park space, and potentially be expanded to include <br />additional public common areas in the future. The parks and open space in the COR will serve <br />many functions: providing new spaces for recreation and relaxation, natural stormwater <br />filtration, and groundwater recharge. All of these park features are connected by a network of <br />trails that will link the COR to the regional parks and trail system. Finally, The Draw will <br />provide visual relief for COR residents and visitors alike, thus ensuring the livability and lasting <br />vitality of the entire development. <br />The amphitheater will be located within two blocks of several user groups, most notably the <br />PACT Charter School, with 560 students plus staff. Other sources of users within a 3-block area <br />include the Ramsey City Municipal Center, the NAU Insurance Company, the new Allina Clinic <br />and the new VA Clinic. The amphitheater will be located near several large potential user <br />groups and will fill a currently unmet need for performance and gathering space in the City. <br />The project is .expected to be completed in mid -September. Should you have any questions <br />regarding the park project you may contact either Amber Miller in Planning at 763-433-9843 or <br />Tim Hinuner in Engineering at 763-433-9893. <br />146 <br />