Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/09/1995

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Case #1 LAKE ITASCA PARK DEVELOPMENT By: Mark Boos, Parks/Utilities Supervisor Background: The approved capital Improvements Program for 1995 designates $57,000 from the Landf'fl/Trust Fund for development of the Lake Itasca Park. The park is locate~ in southwest Ramsey and is directly east of 111-acre Lake Itasca. The eastern portion of the park area was dedicated as part of the Whispering Pines subdivision(s). This area is primarily wetlanr[, but is skirted by brush and a combination of oak savannah and residential yards. There is s~eral narrow corridors to the high ground between private property. The western portign of this park was dedicated with the platting of the Northfork subdivision. The two halves are jo~ed along a section line which is the high point of the area and affords a pleasing view of the lake mid nearby wetlands. (Site location map and aerial photo enclosed.) For purposes of ~cussion and park development, the collective park property shall be referred to as Lake Itasca Park, or in this text, the park. The park is curren, fly undeveloped with existing access points at 154th Lane N.W. to the wetland and the trail head ~tite at 15700 Okapi Street N.W. Vehicular access to the park will probably occur at Okapi Street I~I.W. from the existing cul-de-sac. The park will be very important as a neighborhood res{urce, but may also serve as a destination for organized athletic practices and certainly will be valued for its wild areas and trail oppommities. The only non~exis~ting development likely to occur nearby will be south of the park, as part of North Fork Inc's development plans. This may consist of a cul-de-sac and single family homes. Rough grading of ihe park and North Fork's property adjacent to it could advantage both parties. Soils in this area consist of dark, highly organic muck in the low areas, formally wetlands, transcending throqgh duelm loamy coarse sand, hubbard coarse sand (a + % slopes) to hubbard coarse sand (6-12% slopes) loam at the topographical high points. Vegetation consists of wetland grasses and forbes, willows, aspens and associated brush, native grasses and canary grass in the open area, occasional isolated oaks (typical of pasture/savannah) and a significant stand of mature woods including hardwoods near the southeast portion of Lake Itasca (vegetation map enclosed). Wildlife in the natural areas near the lake and trail corridor are varied due to the diversity of habitat and currently unbrriken tracks of vegetation. [The Lake Itasca Trail Corridor will play an important role in maintainin~a healthy ecosystem by connecting habitats in western Ramsey.] Of particular note is the seemingly high presence of Red Bellied Snakes seen sunning themselves on the Lake Itasca Trail. (A lis~ of likely bird and animal species is attached.) Unique Circumst, ances about the park are: 1) It's proximity to Itasca Village, an early settlement/trading L~0_st within Ramsey and the Red River Ox Cart Trail. 2) Within the woods at the southeast edge of ~e lake is an abandoned farm site. Either or both of these facts may be of significant when c~}ntemplating park development. Ur~like many older communities, Ramsey has little apparent recdgnized historical roots. One element of the park's purpose could be to call attention to Ramsey's history,