Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/13/2017

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Public Engagement and Participation is discussed within the Draft Amendment on pages 12 through 21. However, it appears there was no community engagement specific to Mississippi West Regional Park, nor was the City of Ramsey informed or invited to host public input on the plans for the park. As with most regional parks, the primary users are those nearest the park. The COR will have more than 2,000 residential units directly to the north of the park, with many more adjacent to this pedestrian oriented development — thousands of Ramsey residents are within walking and biking distance of the park today. In terms of Origins (residential units) and Destinations (the Regional Park), there exists the highway and rail line barrier discussed above. To the east of Ramsey in the City of Anoka, a similar situation of Origins and Destinations exist, and fatalities have occurred when pedestrians have crossed this same highway. Recently, hundreds's of thousands in public monies have been expended in constructing physical barriers in an attempt to save lives. It is imperative that Anoka County Parks and the City of Ramsey develop a cost -share plan for the ultimate construction of the remaining portion of the Mississippi Skyway, considering other Regional partners — and seek funding for grant monies that are uniquely available for pedestrian and bicycle facilities. This will be prudent planning and cooperation, in stark contrast to the potential future action of expending public monies on barriers. In conclusion, the City of Ramsey unequivocally recommends that the Draft Master Plan Amendment be revised to: • Clearly name the proposed pedestrian bridge as a future Phased Improvement of the regional park, thereby to be found in conformance with the Thrive 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan, and the approved Master Plan. • Identify within the Draft Master Plan Amendment a schedule for a negotiated cost - share agreement for completion of the skyway and pedestrian bridge — in a timeframe that allows for a joint application in 2018 for Transportation Advisory Board solicitation for funding (and potentially other sources). • Add a narrative and exhibit to the Draft Master Plan Amendment that shows the realignment of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail to a safe alignment for bicyclists and pedestrians (to the location of the pedestrian overpass when complete), which also will connect the regional park directly to the Metropolitan Transit system, and thereby to come into conformance with both the Thrive 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan as well as the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan relating to directives for regional parks. Respectfully, The City of Ramsey Mississippi West Regional Park Master Plan Amendment — City of Ramsey Response Page 15 of 15