Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/09/2014

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Chapter Two: Overview of the Regional Parks System and the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan Introduction Our regional parks are essential to keep our region at the top of national livability rankings. The Twin Cities area's 60 regional parks, park reserves, and special recreation features, plus more than 340 miles of regional trails, showcase the unique landscapes of the region and provide year -round recreation. Our residents have consistently singled out the region's parks, trails and natural environment as the most attractive feature of the region.' Drawing over 47 million annual visits in 2012, the Regional Parks System provides access to natural space that contributes to physical and emotional well- being. Many of our region's most well -known and iconic sites are part of the Regional Parks System - the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Como Zoo and Conservatory, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, Bunker Hills Regional Park, Elm Creek Park Reserve, and Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The Regional Parks System plays a key role in providing parks and open space for the metropolitan area. But by itself, it cannot and was never intended to provide all of the metropolitan area's recreational opportunities. The Regional Parks System is one component of the greater recreation and open space system for the metropolitan area that includes local, state, and federal parks and open space areas, as well as private sector facilities. All these other facilities and services complement those of the Regional Parks System. This chapter provides an overview of the Regional Parks System and the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan. These concepts are explored in more detail in subsequent chapters of this plan. The Regional Parks System The Regional Parks System, supported by the Council in partnership with cities, counties and special park districts, was established in 1974. At that time, the Legislature found that: "The pressure of urbanization and development threatens the most valuable remaining large recreational open spaces in the metropolitan area at the same time as the need for such areas is increased. Immediate action is therefore necessary to provide funds to acquire, preserve, protect and develop regional recreational open space for public use." (Minn. Stat. 473.302) In response to state legislation, about 31,000 acres of existing parks were designated as "regional recreation open space." The newly designated regional parks had about five million visits in 1975. Over the past 40 years, the Council has invested state and regional funds to help local park agencies develop those first designated regional parks, as well as to acquire and develop new parks and trails for the growing metropolitan population. The Regional Parks System strives to build upon the world class system of interconnected parks and natural areas first established in Minneapolis by such visionaries as Horace Cleveland and Theodore Wirth, and extend that model throughout the region. As of 2014, the Regional Parks System includes: • 54,286 acres open for public use