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

Home

Summary Report Mississippi West Regional Park The proposed Mississippi West Regional Park lies along the North Mississippi Regional Trail corridor as noted in the approved Re~onal Trails Policy_ Plan Amendment..4 The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department suggest to the Metropolitan Council that within the proposed Mississippi West Regional Park a trail corridor and accompanying support facilities be developed. A. The trail corridor would traverse areas of high quality natural resources. The leading resource element is nearby water. The trail corridor within the regional park would follow the Mississippi River with opportunities for viewing the river, its bluffs, ravines, islands, and wooded environments. B. The trail corridor would be "off-road" with opportunities for a wide variety ofrecreationaI trail uses including hiking, walking, biking, jogging, and in-line skating. The county is still exploring the feasibility'ofproviding mountain biking. Motorized and equestrian trail use is not recommended due to adjoining land uses, erodable soils, and limited park size. The trail corridor grades due to the existing topography will accommodate a wide range of user groups with accessibility needs. C. The trail corridor would be a linkage and trailhead for the North Mississippi Regional Trail System. The proposed Mississippi West Regional Park would link complimentary park facilities, function as a trailhead for the entire North Mississippi system from the City of EIk River in Sherbume County, to the historic Kelley Farm, to the Rice Creek Regional Trail, to Anoka County Riverfront including Coon Rapids Dm regional park, and finally, to Wu-th-Memorial Parkway in the City of/vfmneapotis. The entire trail length is filled with trip amenities. Future plans call for a trail system from Mississippi West north and east to Rum River, Bunker tSlts, and Lake George Regional Parks. D. The Proposed Mississippi West Regional Park could be linked to Elm Creek Regional Park and the North Hennepin in Hennepin County via the Highway' 169 Bridge over the Mississippi River at the cities of Anoka and Champlin. The Highway I69 Bridge crossing area is rich with local park and trail connections plus a historic downtown. E. The trail corridor is serving a quickly developing suburban area. The southwest portion of Anoka County along the Mississippi River is seeing double digit population growth. The North Mississippi Regional Trail passes through Coon Rapids on its way to the proposed Mississippi West Regional Park. Coon Rapids is sixth in single-family housing permits from 1970 -1994. The cities ofRamsey, Anoka, and Champlin all express interest in tying their local trail systems into the North Mississippi Regional Trail corridor. Other cities are in the process of being contacted.