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Park, Riedel Farm Estate in Riverfront Regional Park, and <br />Coon Rapids Dam in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park and <br />the Wave Pool in Bunker Hills Regional Park. Discussion <br />of each feature in this chapter is included in the section <br />devoted to the park in which the feature is located. <br />Conservancy Lands <br />"Conservancy lands" are areas of unique quality such as <br />watercourses and wetlands that are preserved for <br />environmental or aesthetic benefits to the community <br />andlor because of the negative environmental or economic <br />effects of development in them. The service area may be a <br />municipality, township or county. The site should be sized <br />adequately to protect the resource. <br />The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department will <br />utilize the 2020 Vision plan and individual park master <br />plans as tools for identifying appropriate improvements or <br />expansion for each park in the system. Cooperative efforts <br />with municipalities and with other local, regional and state <br />agencies are also key to effective development and <br />maintenance of recreation facilities in the county. <br />This chapter includes: <br />a. Discussion of development, <br />redevelopment, natural resource <br />management and expansion of Anoka <br />County Parks; <br />b. Recommendations for possible <br />disposition of several existing parks that <br />are classified as "county parks"; <br />c_ Recommendations concerning the <br />possible disposition of parks that are <br />classified as "conservancy lands"; <br />d. Recommendations concerning sale of <br />non -park property currently owned by <br />the parks and recreation department <br />e. Discussion concerning the protection of <br />natural areas that are currently in private <br />ownership. <br />12.2 REGIONAL PARK RESERVES <br />"Park reserves" are typically the largest of the park types in <br />a county park and recreation system. They are managed to <br />provide recreation opportunities but are also intended to <br />protect major natural resource areas. Because of their large <br />size, the parks provide opportunities to preserve regionally <br />significant plant communities and wildlife habitat areas. <br />Refer to Chapter 11 - System Standards for more <br />information on the role that a regional park reserve plays in <br />the Anoka County Park and Recreation System. <br />Size: 2,550 acres <br />Estimated visitors in 1996: 178,300 <br />OVERVIEW <br />Rice Creek Chain of Lakes is the only "Regional Park <br />Reserve" in Anoka County. It is expected that it will <br />become a major focal point in the Twin Cities regional park <br />system. The park currently attracts visitors from <br />throughout the metro area and offers a wide array of <br />educational opportunities with its broad scope of natural <br />history, cultural and archaeological resources. In addition, <br />the Wargo Nature Center, Chomonix Golf Course, <br />camping facilities, water based activities and future trails <br />make it an attractive destination similar to Morris T. Baker <br />Park Reserve in Hennepin County or Lake Elmo Park <br />Reserve in Washington County. <br />The Wargo Nature Center and Chomonix Golf Course are <br />classified as two of the park system's "special features" (see <br />Chapter 11). Wargo is an outdoor learning center designed <br />to be used by the community. The 10,000 square foot <br />center is nestled on a beautiful peninsula overlooking <br />George Watch Lake. Environmental education classes for <br />school children of all ages are held both at the Wargo <br />Nature Center and the Coon Rapids Dam Visitor Center. <br />They are designed to assist educators in meeting the state's <br />environmental education learner outcomes and to provide <br />children with a better understanding of the natural world. <br />Over 10,000 students participated in environmental <br />education programming during the 1996-97 school year. <br />Programming is developed to promote positive <br />environmental values and is available for persons of all <br />ages and abilities. Public programs are held at various <br />locations around the county. Program content changes with <br />the seasons and includes topics such. as maple syruping, <br />pond studies, apple cidering and snowshoeing. With <br />financial support from Anoka Electric Cooperative, the <br />Wargo Nature Center has been able to develop and <br />implement the Wildlife Outreach Program; an <br />environmental education program for grades 1-6 which <br />Page 12-2 <br />