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

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Chapter Four: Policies and Strategies Introduction The policies presented in this document are the Council's objectives for the kind of regional recreation open space facilities and services the region needs to acquire, develop, and operate in the future. The policies provide direction to ongoing efforts to plan, develop, operate, and protect the system. The strategies are short- to medium -term actions that will advance the policies. Some of the strategies represent actions that the Council will take in developing the system or responding to particular conditions. Other strategies are directed to the regional park implementing agencies involved in implementation of the plan. The strategies are incremental actions; each contributes to achieving the Council's policies. Guidelines for implementation and administration are found in the "Management Procedures" portion of the Policy Plan. This section of the Regional Parks Policy Plan lists the overall policies for recreation activities and facilities, planning, siting and acquisition, finance, and system protection for the Regional Park System. Strategies for accomplishing each policy are stated briefly, explained in more detail, and followed by the history and development of each strategy. Recreation Activities and Facilities Policy Provide a regional system of recreation opportunities for all residents, while maintaining the integrity of the natural resource base within the Regional Parks System. Recreation Activities and Facilities - Strategy 1: Activities in regional parks must be tied to the natural resources of the parks, but not adversely affect them. Minn. Stat. 473.147 requires the Council to prepare a policy plan that "...shall identify generally the areas which should be acquired by a public agency to provide a system of regional recreation open space comprising park district, county and municipal facilities, which, together with state facilities, reasonably will meet the outdoor recreation needs of the people of the metropolitan area and shall establish priorities for acquisition and development." Minn. Stat. 473.121, subd. 14 defines regional recreation open space as "...land and water areas, or interests therein, and facilities determined by the Council to be of regional importance in providing for a balanced system of public outdoor recreation for the metropolitan area, including but not limited to park reserves, major linear parks and trails, large recreation parks, and conservatories, zoos, and other special use facilities." Based on the legislative directive and definition of "regional recreation open space," activities in the Regional Parks System should: • Be strongly tied to high - quality natural resources and to the balanced distribution of these resources around the area. • Require land acreage to serve a regional scale audience