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

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Special Recreation Features Special recreation features, which are called for in state legislation (Minn. Stat. 473.121, subd. 14), are defined as Regional Parks System opportunities not generally found in the parks, the park reserves or the trail corridors. Special recreational features often require a unique managing or programming effort on the part of the regional park implementing agency. As of 2014, there are eight special recreation features developed and open to the public: • Como Park Zoo at Como Regional Park in Saint Paul • Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Regional Park, in Saint Paul • Gale Woods Farm on the shore of Whaletail Lake in Minnetrista • Kingswood, on the shore of Little Long Lake in Minnetrista • The Landing, along the Minnesota River in Shakopee • Noerenberg Gardens on the northwest side of Lake Minnetonka • Silverwood on the shore of Silver Lake in the City of St. Anthony • Square Lake in Washington County. The Como Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory are managed within Como Regional Park. Gale Woods Farm provides opportunities for visitors to learn about agriculture, food production, and land stewardship. Kingswood provides nature -based service learning programs to preserve the unique and significant natural resources of the site. The Landing provides a historical representation of life in a river town in the 1800s. Noerenberg Gardens was given to Three Rivers Park District with the understanding that it was a unique and regional -level attraction with stunning floral gardens. Silverwood integrates arts, environmental education, and gardens to serve as a center for arts and the environment. Square Lake provides beach and boat access to one of the clearest lakes in the metropolitan area and attracts scuba divers from across the region. New special recreation features need to be complementary to the rest of the Regional Parks System and not be a financial burden to the system. Special recreation features are highlighted in Figure 3 -5.