Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/11/1999

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November 9. 1998 Draft Ramsey is fortunate to have many natural resources within its boundaries. Many of these resources are preserved and made accessible through existing large community parks. The Future Mississippi West Regional Park has the great potential of strengthening Ramsey's connection and identity to the Mississippi River. Continued cooperation with MNRRA on the Regional Trail through Ramsey will be important as Ramsey works to improve its image along Highway 10. Pedestrian connections across Highway 10 will be critical in making this new park accessible. Wi'th these great recreational facilities existing and planned, the important focus will be on making these larger parks accessible to all Ramsey residents. Acquiring and constructing additional links to the Trail system will be important for the future Parks and Recreation Plan The addition of the smaller community parks proposed in the Greenland Hills and OaksDistricts will be a needed addition for those residents. These community parks also serve to preserve and highlight some of Ramsey's natural resources. Additional opportunities for more of these open space parks should be pursued along the Trott Brook and Ditch 51 area. A few small isolated parcels of parkland dedication in the rural areas are underutilized and limited in the number of residents they serve. Park dedication in rural areas should emphasize acquiring parcels of the greenway and trail system plan, to create a larger more continuous park, that would serve more Ramsey residents rather than small individual parcels in subdivisions. Smaller neighborhood parks are more appropriate in higher density areas where they serve more residents and are designed to be focal points of gathering for the neighborhood. The Oxbow Recreation District, with its urban density housing and isolation due to St. Francis Boulevard, needs additional neighborhood park facilities. Any new high-density developments will create a need for additional neighborhood parks and new development plans should be reviewed to ensure appropriate park dedication is provided for. ~,~ The following goals and policies provide ways to effectively and efficiently use the existing park and recreation facilities and to develop future facilities that serve the needs of Ramsey residents: General Goals for Park and Recreation Plan The following are the City's goals for park and recreation: 1. To provide neighborhood parks within the urban areas, which are focal points of pride and identity for each neighborhood in Ramsey. .. 2. To provide accessibility to all community parks through safe on\off road trail connections. 3. To preserve continuous open space corridors that protect natural vegetation and water quality, provide wildlife habitat, and preserve the natural identity of Ramsey. 4. To have an effective and efficient system of parks and trails that meets the needs of Ramsey. residents, both urban and rural. City of Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Page 81 x~