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

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recreational activities and then incorporate any physical changes to the Regional Parks System landscape through a master plan amendment process that includes significant public engagement. In some instances, there may be no need for any physical change to the regional park or trail unit, but a change in visitor or park management rules or policies may be necessary, such as allowing off -leash dog use on a trail, for example. Another management issue might be permitting a limited controlled hunt as a means of maintaining the health of a park's deer herd. In both cases, there are no physical changes to the park /trail unit requiring capital improvements, simply a change in how the park /trail unit is used or managed. Such park/ trail management issues should be resolved by the regional park implementing agency's policy board after appropriate public input and consideration of how these management changes affect the regional park's environment, users, and the adjacent property. Some new recreation open -space uses may be compatible with the long -range basic mission of the Regional Parks System. In some instances, new uses may enhance the viability of the regional system and expand the range of opportunities available in the parks, park reserves, and trails. Other recreation open -space uses may substantially reduce the ability of the regional facilities to carry out their planned roles or may diminish the quality of the recreational experience. Off -road vehicles (ORVs) are defined as all- terrain vehicles (ATVs), off -road motorcycles (ORMs) and four - wheel -drive vehicles being used off designated roads. For the purpose of this 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan, snowmobiles are not considered to be ORVs. Snowmobiles have been permitted on regional trails and in some regional parks when local ordinances and the regional park implementing agency have authorized such use. Local units of government in the rural areas of the region also work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and snowmobile clubs to provide rights -of -way for snowmobile trails that link to other trails outside the region. The Council acknowledges that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has statutory authority under Minn. Stat. 84.03 to provide for regulated use of off -road vehicles through its management of several legislatively dedicated accounts that contain license receipts and a portion of Minnesota gas tax revenues from the use of these vehicles. Siting and managing an off -road vehicle use area in the region that doesn't adversely affect nearby land uses and natural resources will require cooperation between the affected local unit of government and the DNR. Regional park implementing agencies may participate in siting an off -road vehicle use area, but the lead responsibility for siting and funding the area will be provided by the DNR under the authority it is granted in statute. In summary, the initial decision on whether a new activity can and should be accommodated is up to the regional park implementing agency responsible for the regional park, park reserve, and regional trail. The Council will become involved if the regional park implementing agency decides it would like to accommodate a new activity but the Council deems the use incompatible with the nature -based system or finds that a master plan amendment is necessary before the new activity can be accommodated. Recreation Activities and Facilities - Strategy 2: Most heavy recreational use should be accommodated in the more urban regional parks. Facilities that attract many users require large capacity roads and connection to a municipal sewage treatment system. These facilities should be confined to parks and park reserves located in the region's