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need to be upgraded to address A.D.A. standards. In <br />addition, many of these facilities have deteriorated to <br />the point were they are beginning to present safety <br />concerns. Throughout the Parks System maintenance <br />planning and annual facility reviews are needed to <br />ensure a generally accepted level of quality' in these <br />facilities is established and continued. <br /> <br />This restroom facility is located in Bunker Hills Campground and is <br />in need of immediate replacement. <br /> <br /> SIGNIFICANT ISSUES <br />IN THE PARKS SYSTEM <br /> <br />Through a comprehensive park facility inventory some <br />significant issues in the.parks system were identified. <br /> <br />The buildings and structures in the parks are not <br />consistent throughout the system. This has had a <br />negative impact on maintenance of these facilities. <br />Since there is no "norm" or consistent architectural <br />style to these facilities, maintenance needs are <br />addressed on a reactive basis, because maintenance <br />plans can not adequately address the wide inventory of <br />buildings and structures. The style of structures within <br />a park system should be unique to the agency who <br />operates them. Thi§_c_r.~ate~s ~n.,jmag~'_ for. ~ p.a[k <br />~yiteml ;by Which visitors can expect a consistent level <br />of aesthetics, features and services. Many of the <br />existing buildings and structures in the parks system <br />are in need of renovation or replacement, which means <br />they currently express a negative "image" for Anoka <br />County'. <br /> <br />Where renovation and replacement to facilities and <br />structures occurs, they will need to be constructed in <br />accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act <br />(A.D.A.). Because many of the structures found in the <br />Parks System were developed prior to A.D.A. <br />standards, they are currently not accessible to the entire <br /> <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />population. Upgrades in accessibility, are needed in <br />many of the restroom facilities, camping areas, creative <br />play facilities, and trails. Since these upgrades are ve~ <br />costly, there is an increased need to find adequate <br />funding sources. <br /> <br />The current condition of some buildings and structures <br />within the system has created liability concerns. These <br />concerns relate to park employees as well as park users. <br />Working conditions need to be accommodating and the <br />tools used by the employees need to reviewed regularly. <br />Training on certain equipment may be necessary to <br />diversify staff knowledge and skills. Safety concerns <br />are also present near facilities that have degraded with <br />time and use. The three main areas of concern are <br />playgrounds, trails and picnic facilities. The areas of <br />concern include surface, accessibility and maintenance <br />needs. <br /> <br />This oak savanna environment is located in Bunker Hills Regional <br />Park. <br /> <br />As a provider of recreation and open space, the Anoka <br />County Parks and Recreation Department recognizes <br />the importance of natural areas in it's parks. For many <br />visitors, the lakes, rivers, prairies, forests and wetlands <br />are the very reason they visit our parks. The need to <br />plan for the preservation and protection of some of the <br />unique natural areas is a priority in the Parks System. <br />Natural resource planning will affect parks on an <br />individual basis, so there is a need to re-examine the <br />master plans for the individual parks. In the process of <br />re-evaluating the park units, current and future leisure <br />trends should be incorporated into the master plans. <br /> <br /> <br />