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

Home

amendment to the Plan, approved by Metropolitan Council, is required so as to `remove' from the park approximately 5 acres of Right of Way parallel to Hwy 10 for the Riverdale Drive frontage road. This new city street between Ramsey Boulevard and Traprock Street is to be constructed beginning in 2017 and the location is depicted on page 3 of the Draft Master Plan attachment. Mr. Riverblood noted regional parks within the metropolitan area are managed by the county they are within, known as `implementing agencies' — in the case of Mississippi West Regional Park, this is Anoka County Parks. As part of the development of the Draft Master Plan Amendment, the County has solicited comments from the City of Ramsey and Staff has prepared the following recommended revisions: 1. 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. Mr. Riverblood reviewed the safety elements of the pedestrian bridge. 2. 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). 3. 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. Mr. Riverblood stated this case does not require funding. It recommends changes to the Draft Master Plan Amendment that in part will position the City and County to be more competitive in seeking grant funding for the completion of the skyway and pedestrian bridge over Highway #10. Commissioner Trappen asked about moving the entrance on Traprock and would there be no park entrance on Ramsey Blvd. The only entrance would be off the frontage road on Traprock. The frontage road will begin construction the summer of 2017. Chair Bennett added this is not requiring any funding at this time and is only an amendment to the Draft Master Plan and it being a Regional improvement. This is a connection to the Regional Park and the Regional Trail System. Commissioner Sis asked if this will be an open access park or have a gate house. Mr. Riverblood stated within the Master Plan amendment is mention of a gate house but that would only occur if the attendance number required it. There would not be a gate house at this time and may occur 15-20 years in the future. Regional Parks are free for admittance for those walking or biking into the park. Park and Recreation Commission/April 13, 2017 Page 4of7