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

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Siting and Acquisition Policy: Identify lands with high - quality natural resources that are desirable for Regional Parks System activities and put these lands in a protected status so they will be available for recreational uses and conservation purposes in perpetuity. Siting and Acquisition - Strategy 1: Lands with natural resource features and /or access to water will have priority over other proposed park land. Future Council designation of lands for the Regional Parks System should emphasize important natural resource features, access to water bodies, and natural resource features that enhance outdoor recreation. Geographic balance or proportionate distribution tied to population distribution patterns can be given weight when natural resource features can be provided through restoration. The legislative charge to the Council is 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. 473.147, subd. 1). Regional recreation open space is defined 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" (Minn. Stat. 473.121, subd. 14). Water is a major attraction in almost every park unit of the Regional Parks System and an amenity along many regional trails. Most surface water is public, with the waterbeds owned by the state, so it is appropriate to provide access to these water bodies through the Regional Parks System. Major considerations in deciding which lands should be brought into the Regional Parks System are: • Acquiring lands with natural qualities most desirable for the outdoor recreational activities • Protecting an important natural resource feature, such as linking other natural resource areas or water bodies together, which in turn provide a larger natural habitat opportunity; help protect or improve water quality, or provide a larger habitat for protected or endangered species • Assuring that regional park facilities are evenly distributed around the metropolitan area or distributed in proportion to the existing and forecasted urban development The legislative directive is clear that the land should be of "regional importance." Regional importance is not directly defined in the law, but the legislative directive requires that regional parklands, plus state facilities, should reasonably meet the outdoor recreation needs of the people of the metropolitan area. Therefore, lands of "regional importance" would be comparable in size, draw users from rather large geographic areas, and contain natural resources similar to the state parks and trails in the metropolitan region. Lands that serve only a municipality or neighborhood would not be considered to have "regional importance."