Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/10/1997

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CONCLUSIONS The objective of this report was to provide the Anoka County park officials with an inventory specific to the future development of Mississippi West Regional Park. This included an in-depth study of the vegetative communities and their associated wildlife, soil characteristics, hydrology, site history, and cultural aspects such as structures in the park, roads and trails, utilities, and development around the park. This information has been gathered and structured to provide an easy reference guide for park oflficials who wilt be participating in the future development of the park. Kecornmendations are included based on this inventory and our knowledge of the goals of Anoka County park officials. The ideal use of this park seems to be as an arboretum to help educate people in surrounding communities about the ecology of the Anoka sand plain before human impacts changed its community makeup. Because the county is expected to see development in the next two decades, it would be desirable to provide developers with an example of landscaping ideas to return the sand plato to its original state. The overall conclusion is that an arboretum containing as many examples of native communities as space will allow should be established and managed to allow access by both vehicle and foot. The history of the area should also be included in the educational curriculum of the park. The area around the park and the park itself has a signific2m role in the development of Minnesota as a state. The park could tie in with other cultural sites in the area, such as the Kelly Farm northwest of the park. 30