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

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12/04/1995 15:08 51229032i4 HNRRA PAGE 02/03 VISUAL SIMULATION OF PROI:qDSED TRAIL/OPEN SPACE CORRIDOR THROUGH THE TWIN CITIES MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR PRODUCED FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - MNRRA Pu ~rgose The National Park Service (N'PS), Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNkRA) worked cooperatively with Dakota County Office of Planning and Physical Development and the University of Minnesota Landscape Architecture Department to develop a visual simulation model of the landscape character and trail alignment of the proposed linear trail and open space system along the Mississippi River. The simulation is available as a tool to present possible trail scenarios and design treatments and to local and county Planning, Park and Recreation Divisions for trails and open space planning. * Develop a video simulation that incorporates and develops understanding of the MNRRA Comprehensive Management Plan's (CMP).policies and v/sions related to trails and open space planning, design, and development. *Educate corridor communities on both regional and federal policies and visions related to trails and open space development, Tier 2 compliance with the CMP, and potential projects eligible for the MN'RRA grants program (currently not funded). *Illustrate a variety of design and alignment options, as well as potential uses of the proposed trail. ~.~.round The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a unit of the national park system. MN-RRA was designated by Congress in 1988 to "protect, preserve, and enhance the significant values of the waters and land of the Mississippi River Corridor within the Saint Paul-Minneapolis Metropolitan Area." Congress identified those significant values as the Arm's nationally significant historical, recreational, scenic, cultural, natural, economic, and scientific resources. A non-traditional unit of the national park system, the MN'RRA relies almost exclusively on partnership initiatives to achieve its purposes. The NPS owns minimal land within the Area, and has no regulatory authority. A conceptual comprehensive management plan provides the framework to coordinate management of the river corridor's resources and to guide development of supporting programs.