Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/14/1986

Home

regional trail systems, existing and future park plans of the City and state, funding, etc. It appears that a comprehensive trail system is far in the future; Northfork could serve as a catalyst, but the trail system would basically be within the P.U.D. Mr. Otto also noted that without being connected to a larger system, the trail would be too short to be of any use for horse or snowmobile use. Also, there is no parking area for users of the trails. Mr. Otto explained several alternatives for park land. Alternative #1: Establish a trailhead in the first lot in the southeast corner of the property; trails through wetlands up to Trott Brook, although poor soils and expensive to construct. This alternative includes 2.6 miles of pedestrian trail and using the road right-of-way for a loop bicycle trail. The cost to construct the trails (no park development) would be approimately $162,000 and includes approximately 17.75 acres. Alternative #2: Access from 154th Lane cul-de-sace, acquisition of land to the north of the proposed lots in the southeast corner (approximately 17-20 acres) to tie in with trails in existing Whispering Pines park. This includes about 2.7 miles of pedestrian trails and 4 miles of bicycle trails. The cost to construct the trails (no park development) would be approximately $183,000 and includes approximately 27 acres. Alternative #3: Access from the northern lot in the proposed cul-de-sac in the southeast corner to tie in with the existing park in Whispering Pines with pedestrian trails and bike trails as in Alternative #2° This alternative includes about 38.5 acres and would cost approximately $166,000 for trail development (no park development). Mr. Otto recommended that the Commission acquire land to establish a trailhead and to enhance the existing park in Whispering Pines by adding land adjacent to it. Mr. Otto also suggested that horse and snowmobile trails should be redirected to longer trails and to be coordinated with other trail systems. Terry Hendriksen, Minnesota Trailriders Association and Planning Commission member inquired as to where cost estimates for trails were from. He stated that horse trails are the cheapest trails to develop. Mr. Otto replied that there is nothing for a horse trail to tie into; the City would be proposing a brief segment at this time; the City cannot construct a trail that only leads to private property. Mr. Hendriksen commented that the City needs to be more far-sighted and needs to start planning for the future. Mr. Otto agreed and stated that the Commission should look at the entire City and the possibility of getting a trail to tie in with a larger trail system. Acting Chairman Lichter asked how much land the Commission can request for park dedication. Dennis Peck, North Fork, Inc., stated that the developers need to know the Commission's plans for park dedication. Acting Chairman Lichter stated that the Commission had recommended acquiring land for trails which would be developed as funds are available. In addition, the trail would eventually tie in with the Trott Brook corridor. Mr. Otto commented that bike trail development could be deferred to some future date; pedestrian/multiple use trails could be development fairly reasonably.