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

Home

1.5 TRAIL AND GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department must respond to the in~g demand for trails. The principal users may include: hikers, bikers, in-line skaters, skate- boarders, cross-country skiers, horseback riders, and others, STRATEGIES Ptnm~ coeperafive efforts to develop a trail system that links the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department with adjoining local, regional and state Consider the needs of a diverse user base in establi&ing tra~ including: multi-use, accessible hard surface trails; n~tural hiking trails; user-specific trails; horse or moun~in bicycle trails; trail connections. Identify, prote~t and manage areas for wildlife/trail greenways and critical links between existing public Closely coor~n~ ge.away efforts with other units of government including the 1vfinnesota Department of Natural Resources, cities, townships, and watershed districts. Pursue greenway preservation options through cooperation with other public or private land preservation/conservation organizations. Ptwsue all available funding resources, such as Federal 1.9 ACCESSIBILITY The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department is committed to complying with applicable codes, laws and design guidelines pertaining to accessibility for all persons with disabilities in order to allow a broader cross-section of the public to be served. STRATEGIES In conjunction with the county ADA Coordinator, perform a thorough ADA accessibihty inventory of all existing park faoilities and analysis of programs, Document all ADA accessibility deficiencies and indicate a timefi'ame to correct these deficiencies. Prioritize identified ADA accessibility deficiencies and begin implementation of retrofitting activities ming available resources and personnel. Identify financial needs for ADA accessibility retrofitting and incorporate those needs into the Parks and Recreation Capital Improvements Program and seek financing t~om other sources. Design all new park facilities under the principles of 'fl.mivemal design" to ensure the greatest integration of persons with mental or physical challenges in the use of facilities and service~. Make sure all new construction of park facilities and park programming follow the applicable codes, laws and design guidelines currently in force. Train and educate park personnel on the needs and requirements associated with the ADA guidelines. Document all ADA upgrading and retrofitting in compliance with federal guidelines. 1.10 FACILITY RENOVATION To adequately maintain and upgrade existing facilities and infrastructure and to establish a long-term budget for maintenance of facilities. STRATEGIES Inventory and identify all facilities and infrastructure, and determine maintenance needs based on this Assess maintenance priorities according to cost, timeliness, use, repair or replacement, and common maintenance practices. Priorities should be reviewed and included in the department's budget process on an annual basis. Establish maintenance priorities as a part of the five- year CIP report and Maintenance Management Plan and review annually. Expand exploration of non-traditional funding sources, including Federal and State Grant opportunities, partnemhips, private funding and other unique ways of raising revenue. In addition, Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department should explore more traditional funding methods, such as, cost depreciation accounts or the earmarking of user fees to a long-term maintenance revolving fi.md. Evaluate, prioritize and incorporate ADA and R/sk Assessment into the long-range plan. :