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

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Planning Proposal for: Mississippi West Regional Park Anoka County Department of Parks and Recreation Swimming Recreation Area - continued An outdoor swimming recreation area needs to be a high priority at Mississippi West Regional Park. A quality outdoor swimming recreation development would "draw" park users not only for swimming but also to use other park use areas such as the trails, picnic areas, and fishing access. Mountain Bike Area The Regional Trails Policy Amendment 1996 talks about mountain biking as a new use when preparing development master plans. A section of Mississippi West Regional Park was a gravel pit. The proposed mountain bike site haq varied topography, closed loop design, near the commercial zoned lands adjoining Highway 10, and away fi"om the dverfi-ont. The mountain bike site is easily connected to the regional trail. Hennepin County Parks currendy has three mountain bike areas. One is located at Elm Creek, the second at Murphy-Ham-ehan, and the third, at Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes regional parks. Mountain bikers are younger, not well organized, and growing in numbers according to Karen Bowen of Hennepin Parks. Two primary issues related toward creating mountain bike areas is controlling erosion and use. The gravel pit location ;has Hubbard coarse sand as a soil type. Hubbard soils are excessively drained and prone to wind erosion. The mountain biking site is lightly wooded with volunteer trees which should help protect the site fi"om wind erosion. The well drained soil type will help erosion concerns. The mountain biking area would be fenced to control hours and season of use. Retreat Center The Mississippi West Park and Trail ske has two homes and a number of outbuildings. One of the homes is well situated to be converted to a retreat center overlooking the Mississippi River. The center would cater to smaller profit and non-profit groups looking for a learning environment nested in a natural environment. Adjoining the retreat center would be an outdoor activity area with game fields. The success of the retreat center would depend upon three factors: location, flexibility of center to meet needs, and advertising/marketing of center. First, Mississippi West Regional Park is located in a part of the metro area growing at a rapid rate but without retreat/meeting facilities associated with more established urban areas. Second, successful learning environments need up to date audio / visual equipment, rooms that offer size flexibility, and knowledgeable support staffS. 25