Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 08/10/2017

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City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 10: Parks, Recreation and Open Space B. The Parks and Recreation Plan In addition to the inventory, the Ramsey Park system is also divided into 17 Recreation Districts. These districts are delineated by major roadways or other barriers and provide a means for more effective planning in determining future park needs at the larger neighborhood level. A broad overview of the existing park system in Ramsey reveals a number of small underutilized neighborhood parks scattered throughout rural areas of the community that have developed at very low densities. This low-density development (or large lot development) does not support high use of a neighborhood park system and thus can lead to inefficiencies. A larger scale community park, which would provide park and recreation opportunities not available within private yards of large lots, would prove a more effective and efficient use of a park and recreation system to serve the rural areas of Ramsey. It is this opportunity, as well as the need for additional spaces for the growing youth athletic program that call for a sixth Community Park in the north central part of the city. The remaining major emphasis in the rural area of Ramsey should be in providing trail connections to get people to larger park facilities such as Central Park, Elmcrest and Rum River Central Regional Park as well as in preserving open space corridors consistent with more rural land use. This same focus does not apply to the more urban areas of the city. Higher density development demands more parks that are within walking distances and provide a greater variety of activities. It would be wise to start planning for the provisions of neighborhood parks in future urban areas as well as looking to fill gaps in existing urban developed areas. Also as traffic patterns become denser within the urban areas, more neighborhood barriers exist increasing the need for more neighborhood park facilities. Trail development is a significant element of future park planning as a means to connect residents, and place to work, shop and recreate. Therefore, the City should continue installing paved trails or sidewalks along all collector streets concurrent with their construction. The Mississippi River Regional Trail (Anoka County Segment) is an existing trail east of the Rum River in the city of Anoka. The trail is proposed to be extended to the west to connect to Mississippi West Regional Park and on to Sherburne County. Anoka County will work with the City of Ramsey and others on the completion of a master plan for this part of the trail. The Central Anoka County Regional Trail is an existing trail east of the City of Anoka. This trail is also proposed to be extended to the west to connect to Mississippi West Regional Park and Anoka County will work with the City of Ramsey and others on the completion of this trail in the future. A future segment of the Rum River trail is also being proposed, connecting to Rum River Central Regional Park. General alignment of these three trails are shown on Figure 10-2. Anoka County essentially functions as the lead coordinator for regional trails. Planning is often performed in a macro sense with the individual jurisdictions, who are more likely to develop detailed plans and provide for specific routing of trails within these municipalities like Ramsey. In reviewing future park and recreation needs to serve future and existing Ramsey residents, the following, generalized park type definitions will be used: 1. Park Type Definitions: Mini-Parks: These are very small parks, often less than 1 acre in size, and are used to address limited or isolated recreational needs. These parks typically serve residents less than ¼ mile from the site. Neighborhood Parks: Neighborhood parks are usually centrally located within neighborhoods and are designed primarily for use by neighborhood residents within easy walking and biking distances. City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 10-9