Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/12/1996

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2020 ' iilb i 5 date Anoka County Park and Recreation System Plan August 1996 Good prograss is being made in the 'developmen! of the Anoka County Park and Recreation Qomprehensive Park System Plan, coined "2020Vision." Since February, the Parks and Recreation Departtnqnt and Committee have been working with the consulting firm Sander Wacker Wehrman Bergly on ihe early stages of the planning process. Principal adtivities have focussed on a tour and inventory of park facilities, coordination with a citizens stakeholders ~ask force, and the evaluation of issues, mission, and gpals. Stakeholders Task Force In April, the Anoka County Board of Commissioners The Stakeholders meets to discuss issues related to the Anoka County Park System~ appointed a 20 member citizens task force to represent a cross-section of interests related to the public use and enjoyment of county porks and open spaces. The task force held its third mo, eting with the consultants and county officials on Thhrsday, July 18th at the Wargo Nature Center. So ~far, the committee has been receiving background information on the parks system's facilities, programs, and services; reviewing leisure and socio-demographic trends; and examining natural resources management issues. The task force has also been busy with the identification of issues, problems, and opportunities within the county park system. A final draft of the issues statement is anticipated by late August, following meetings with federal, state, and local governments. More recently, the Stakeholders Task Force has been concentrating on the creation of a mission and vision statement for the parks system. Once completed, the consultant will begin developing draft long-term goals and strategies addressing the issues. Other Input Aside from the Stakeholders Task Force, the consultant has been working closely with Parks and Recreation Department staff, the County Board, and local officials on input regarding park and recreation issues. A meeting with local government park and recreation officials is planned for August 15th. Meetings with the National Park Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are also being held. At least one more meeting with local municipality/township officials will be held later in the plan to discuss coordinated trails planning. Background Chapters Written drafts of the plan's three "background" chapters have been completed. Chapter Three, "Overview of Anoka County" provides an interesting mosaic of information about the history of pre- settlement natural resources and development of the county. Included in this chapter is information on early settlement, land use development, and a discussion of the current distribution of natural landscape