Laserfiche WebLink
Overview <br />The overall design Framework of the Town <br />Center is based on a system of linked <br />parks, trails and open space. The City of <br />Ramsey, Anoka County, and to some <br />extent, the State of Minnesota all play a <br />role in local and regional parks <br />programming, design review, <br />construction sequencing, implementation <br />and ultimately maintenance and operation <br />of key. public spaces within this <br />framework. The goal is to link existing <br />and proposed parks and trailg defined in <br />regional park plans with proposed new <br />parks and [rails within the Town Center. <br />Of equal importance is the contribution <br />from each block and each development <br />project to this network of green, adding a <br />variety of private, semi-private, and <br />perhaps some additional public space <br />throughout the Town Center. Private <br />development will share the responsibility <br />to provide inviting, innovative and useable <br />green space as integral parts of individual <br />parcel site design. <br /> <br />Guideline Recommendations <br />Ramsey Town Center will set' a new <br />standard rot the design of parks and <br />open space in suburban Twin Cities <br />communities. Toward [hat end, Green <br />Structure guidelines encourage the <br />following: <br />· Work with the City to create an <br /> integrate, d, comprehensive open <br /> space system that links with existing <br /> city and county trails and open space <br /> networks <br /> <br />· Encourage private development <br /> (block-by-block) to share in the <br /> responsibility to provide inviting, <br /> innovative and useable green space <br /> as integral parts of- each development <br /> project <br />- Integrate stormwater management <br /> components (meeting water quality <br /> and quantity requirements) within <br /> both public / private park and open <br /> space improvements ' <br />Together, the system of public and <br />semi-public green space will result in a <br />welcoming public realm throughout the <br />new community. <br /> <br />Examples <br />Based on the Parks, Trails and Open Space Concept Plan for the Town Center, a <br />variety of public and private green space is proposed including: <br />· Each block and each project will provide intentional, creative, innovative, useable <br /> green areas as integral components of site-development and building design. <br />· At the individual block scale, small squares and greens should provide places for <br /> gathering and relaxation, especially targeted to meet the demands of adjacent, or <br /> nearby buildings. Elements such as gardens, gazebos and fountains should <br /> characterize these more intimate public spaces.,"' t '-. <br />· At the neighborhood scale, parks should provide sp,a.ce for more active recreation; <br /> and should be flexible enough to accommodate a variety of recreational activities. <br /> Playgrounds, game fields and park buildings are suggested park amenities and will <br /> target a wider user demand from the surrounding community, <br />· At the Town Center scale, the central linear park should connect with all other parks <br /> and open space elements, providing a focal point for activity and a sense of place <br /> similar to Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis. Gardens, public pavilions and shelters, <br /> playlots and open play fields are suggested amenities that will provide built-in <br /> flexibility to meet the demands of both the local population and regional visitors to <br /> the Town Center. <br /> <br /> <br />