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

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CHAPTER 9 VISION AND MISSION The Anoka County Park System contains approximately 8,000 acres of park .land that offers natural resource protection and recreation opportunities in regional parks, a regional park reserve, county parks, linear parks and special festtm~. Thn ae, quisition program that took place during the 1970's ~ud 1980's methodically added carefully chosen pr0p~ies to the system. Land selections were based on a vision that included protection of sensitive plant communities and wildlife habitat and on providing places for water-based and land-based recreation activities. The development cfa broad variety of recreation facilities also occurred during this time period. Beaches, picnic areas, campgrounds, ~boat landings, canoe launches, roads, hiking and biking trails and restroom facilities were constructed throughout much of the growing park system. Cmmntly, heaw use has takam its toll on many of the improvements; changes in demographics and in recreation trends has affected demand for recreation facilities; and the Amscan Disabilities Act has made accessibility for the dibbled a design imperative. As a result of these factors, the Park and Recreation Department has chosen to prepare this "Park System Plan"l~ provide direction and long term guidance to the development of trails aud new facilities, redevelopment of existing facilities and acquisition (or other control) of additional lands. As the planning process advanced through issues analysis, goal setting and preparation of vision and mission statements, it became increasingly clear that the primary plarming groups (Stakeholders Task Force, Parks and Recreation Deparlxnent Staff and Parks and Recreation Committe~) are in agreement on what the Anoka County Park System is and what steps should be taken as the County moves into the 21st Century. There is acknowledgment of the excellent quality of existing park lands and all applaud the vision of those that founded the Anoka County Park System. The Reoommendatiolls in the plan focus on accomplishments described in the vision and mission statements that were prepared as part of the planning process. The statements were drafted during planning sessions conducted with the Stakeholders Task Force (a group comprised of county residents) Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department Staff and the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Committee. Consensus of the three groups resulted in vision statements that look ahead to the future and describe what the Anoka County Park System will be for its stakeholders in 5, 10 or 20 years. The mission statements, that appear later in this chapter, describe the basic direction that stakeholders will take to achieve thek vision. A" stakeholder" in the park system is defined as any individual or group that has an interest in, is affected by or makes use of natural resources, facilities and/or program-q. A prkrm~f goal of the planning process was to offer opportunities for all stakeholdm's to provide input to the development of the 2020 Vision Ptam The list of stakeholders includes Anoka County resick'nts, Anoka County ]Board of Commissioners and Parks Committee, adjacent counties, municipalities and townships in Anoka County, State and Federal agencies with properties and/or programs in the County, Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department and other County departments. County residents provided input through membership on the Stakeholders Task Force, responses to a survey issued atthe Anoka County Fair, letters and phone calls to Parks and Recreation Department staff and attendance at public meetings. The Stakeholders Task Force participated in several meetings and workshops as the plan was being developed.. The Anoka Board of Commissioners and Parks Committee provided input at meetings and workshops scheduled at regular intervals during the planning process. Meetings were held with representives from Anoka County municipalities and townships, adjacent counties and State and Federal agencies to discuss cooperative efforts in trails planning and development. Staff of the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department and other County departments were also important contributors to the plannlng process. Their familiarity with facilities, programs, and management and admlnis~-ative issues was fundamental to the information and recommendations included in the 2020 Vision Plan. The fo[lowing vision statement is a product of the input received from stakeholders that participated in the planning process: VISION We envision a Park System that reflects a high level of respect and priority for our natural resources and 23