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are adjacent to existing count3,, parks. Other areas could
<br />be suitable for future greenway belts or trailways.
<br />
<br />DEVELOPMENT OF ANOKA
<br />COUNTY PARKS
<br />
<br />County parks in Minnesota began in Anoka County,
<br />with then Commissioner Albert Kordiak leading the
<br />way. As urban development spread to the southern
<br />reaches of Anoka County,, there was a recognition that
<br />open space was vital to the health of these communities.
<br />With support from the legislature in 1963, the county
<br />acquired 18 acres around Highland Lake in Columbia
<br />Heights. The area, named Kordiak Park, is still a
<br />respite for residents in southern Anoka County.
<br />
<br />Most of the 8,000 acres of land acquired for the county
<br />park system occurred in the late 1960's and early
<br />1970's. Bunker Hills Regional Park was acquired at
<br />this time, mostly through tax-forfeited property. Other
<br />methods for funding acquisition of land for parks
<br />included: county funding, personal land donations,
<br />Housing and Urban Development funds, Land and
<br />Water Conservation fx~nds, Legislative Commission on
<br />Minnesota Resources, and Metropolitan Council
<br />grants.
<br />
<br />Development in the parks has been ongoing for the past
<br />30 years. Restrooms, picnic shelters and trails were
<br />common park developments in the 1970's. In the 1980's
<br />development included special attractions like the
<br />Bunker Hills Wave Pool and Chomonix Golf Course.
<br />By the 1990's all of the major parks had been acquired
<br />and development was nearly complete in some parks.
<br />
<br />ANOKA COUNTY GOVERNMENT
<br />
<br />The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department
<br />strives to provide a diverse array of recreation
<br />opportunities for county residents. The opportunities
<br />are offered through program services and facility and
<br />amenity developments. Within the department the
<br />Administration, Planning, Operations, Programming
<br />and Ranger Services units work together to complete
<br />projects, deliver programs and provide the highest level
<br />of professional service possible.
<br />
<br />The delivery of recreation services is financed mainly
<br />from user fees and property taxes and is approximately
<br />$3,500,000. [n addition' to these monies, the
<br />department receives additional funding through capital
<br />improvements and two enterprise budgets - the Bunker
<br />Hills Wave Pool and Chomonix Golf Course,
<br />
<br />DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
<br />
<br />The people of Anoka County are as diverse as the
<br />natural landscapes in which they live. There are 21
<br />
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<br />
<br />municipalities in Anoka County,. Much of the coun¢'
<br />lies outside the Metropolitan Urban Service Area. As
<br />the growth chart on the preceding page indicates, the
<br />population of the county has been increasing steadily
<br />over the last 30 years. In 1993 the population was
<br />261,814. Applying the Metropolitan Council's
<br />projection of a 14% population increase, Anoka County
<br />should house nearly 300,000 people by the year 2020.
<br />That would represent a 40% population growth in just
<br />over 30 years. Most of the population lives in 5 cities -
<br />Coon Rapids, Blaine, Fridley, Columbia Heights, and
<br />Anoka. The largest population growths are expected in
<br />the cities of Andover, Lino Lakes, Blaine, Ramsey and
<br />Oak Grove.
<br />
<br />Population - Age Cohorts
<br />
<br /> 70,000
<br />
<br /> 60,000 '~'' ,.,
<br /> 50,000 ~J//'"
<br /> 40,000
<br />
<br /> 30,000 ~"
<br />
<br /> 20,000 J'
<br /> 10,000 ~/
<br />
<br /> 6 - 17 25 -34 55 - 64
<br /> Up to 5 18- 24 35- 54 85 +
<br />
<br />Due to the influence of the "Baby-Boomers", thc c, rcatcst increases in
<br />
<br />population will occur in the 35 - 54 age cohort.
<br />
<br />Individuals and families have been moving to the area
<br />for many reasons. Some of the more significant
<br />influences include the affordability of land and the
<br />proximity to the Twin Cities. Of all the metropolitan
<br />counties, Anoka County has the lowest per capita
<br />income. The county is also consid&red a "bedroom
<br />community", referring to the fact that most residents
<br />travel outside the county for employment.
<br />
<br />The combination of cohort population growth, decrease
<br />in leisure time due to commuting to work, and lower
<br />income levels presents a unique scenario to leisure
<br />providers in Anoka County. As the population ages
<br />there will be a noticeable emergence of more
<br />impromptu and passive types of recreation
<br />opportunities being demanded. More "close to home"
<br />recreation will be sought. These types of demographic
<br />changes will continue to influence recreation demands
<br />which the Anoka County Parks System is well
<br />positioned to meet.
<br />
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