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