Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/14/1987

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ATTACHHENT 1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND COST ESTIMATES RIVER'S BEND PARK CITY OF RAMSEY River's Bend Park is a 63.4 acre undeveloped park located in the southeast corner of Ramsey east of State Highway 47 in an oxbow of the Rum River. The park is located in the flood plain of the Rum River and was donated to the City by developers in 1981 for public purposes including park land, recreational facilities and the right-of-way for the proposed extension of the County Road 116 bridge across the Rum River. The City is planning to develop River's Bend Park as a multiple use, community park facility. Active uses such as athletic fields and tennis courts are proposed to be located in the northern portion of the park, nearest to potential users. The southern portion of the park is currently vacant and unused; the City is proposing to develop this with native prairie (five acres) and multi-season recreational trails, walking paths, picnic area and canoe access. In addition, the City has future plans for a community recreation center in the northwest portion of the park, near State Highway 47. The development of multiple use parks was noted as a high priority in the Comprehensive Mark and Open Space Plan adopted by the City in 1980. As the land for River's Bend Park was donated after the Plan was adopted, there is no reference to the development of the park in the Plan. However, the City Council has adopted resolutions and had much discussion regarding their commitment to the development of River's Bend Park. This application for the development of River's Bend Park includes the construction of mixed-use, multiple season recreational trails (for pedestrians, cross country skiing and/or non-motorized vehicles), one vehicle access road, two parking areas, a picnic shelter with toilet facilities, earthwork, landscaping and a canoe access to the Rum River. The trails are proposed to go throughout the entire park and are planned to coordinate with the pedestrian/bicylcle lanes on the proposed County Road 116 bridge. Once the bridge is complete, the trails will be linked to the regional trail system on the east side of the Rum River. To encourage greater use of the facilities, the automobile access will be constructed to the southern picnic area and canoe access. Trails are also proposed to go under the proposed County Road 116 bridge, consistent with the proposed construction plans for the bridge. The proposed development and improvements include sufficient landscaping to adequately buffer the park area from the proposed bridge. One parking area is proposed to serve the athletic fields, tennis courts and activity areas in the north portion of the park. The other parking area is proposed to serve the southern picnic area, trails and canoe access. The picnic shelter, northern picnic area and shelter are proposed to be located south of the western ball field.