Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/04/1993

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SLrN-FISH I2~ ENX~RONMEA~A3~ EDUCATION A~FD tLECtLElkTION AJLEA The ~innesota Environmental EducaLion act of 1990 calls for life- long environmental learning opportunities for Minnesota residents. There currently exists no Environmental EducatioD (EE) facilities near the City of Ramsey. The Director of the nearest, Spring Brook Nature Center, Pridiey, slates that in 1990 ~here were 125,000 known visits Spring Brook and participants are turned away from every program offered. Ramsey's proposed Sunfish Lake facility will not mitigate the demands placed upon Spring Brook, but clearly the need for this resource has been demonstrated. The city of Ramsey proposes development of an environmental education/historical interpretation and outdoor recreation resource. This complimented by handicap accessible trails linking the 47 acre Ramsey Elementary School, the City's urban area, the residential community, the regional parks and trail corridors and ultimately the remaining areas of the City. This 96 acre site will provide education opportunities for learners from K-12, students involved in career development, visitors and the public in the areas of outcome based environmental ~ducation and A~noka County specific historical interpretation. The immediate site already h~s available for study, wetlands, surface waters, transitional woody habitats, oak savannah and reminant prairies contiguous to a re~iring landfill. The Minnesota EE act states that environmental learning should begin at an early age. The Sunfish Lake site adjoins Ramsey Elementary School and is within several miles of t~ee school districts. The $460,200 requested will include construction of a 2,000 square foot learning laboratory overlooking a wet!s_nd s~Lrrounded by mature o~1 forest. The lab will be a bermed structure with its primary heat source being passive solar. $63,000 of the request is for relocation and restoration of a 19th century brick schoolhouse. The schoolhouse will be sited directly over the learning center and will share ail utilities and improvements. The remainder of funds will be used for land acquisition trail development and purchase of lab materials. The Grant request does not include City ao.cn/isition of 61 acres, acqn~iring the 1892 schoolhouse or u/lmentioned improvements such as a picnic area. The S~nfish Lake site is contiguous to the regional landfill schedu!e~ for closure in !994. Waste Management of Minnesota !nc., o~er of the landfill, is supportive of this project in many ways including site work and retrofitting the existing groundwater treatment facility for use in E.E. and public info~-mation. S~nfish L~ke Environmental Education and Recreation area to date has received virtuai!yunanimous support including small businesses that desire to participate in the project by providing portions of project development at cost.