Agenda - Council - 04/25/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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