Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 10/12/2017

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front piece for the document, casting the overall vision for the City's Master Parks and Trail Plan. Mr. Jacobson stated first item for discussion is the Visions and Objectives Statement. He added the concept of maintaining the rural character of the area has come up repeatedly. He noted there will be plenty of time to review and check back in as the plan coalesces over the next few months, and any comments or feedback can be directed to Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood. Chair Bennett stated he read through the packet and looked at the slides, and he likes the additions. He added it expands upon several of the key points and has a good feel to it. Mr. Jacobson stated it is just a beginning but hopefully will end up being something the City can use to give residents a chance to respond to the concepts. Mr. Jacobson stated the second item for discussion is the key word exercise, and he read many of the words that the Commission had talked about, including safety, inspirational, diversity, playful, fundable, beautiful, connected, nature -full. He added it is not necessary to focus on making the list shorter, but to try to tease out what are the primary concepts and goals that should be inherent in the Parks and Trail system. Mr. Jacobson stated the third item relates to the concept of taking the one -word ideas and expanding them into objective statements. He added this is the first step in making the Master Plan a cohesive and formal document, and he encourages the creation of a "top ten list". He gave a few examples: Connected = improved connectivity Beautiful = promote natural beauty Natural = preservation of natural resources Fundable = Cost effective design Playful — fun and diverse recreational activities Accessible — ensure that everyone can enjoy Used — updated programming that people want Mr. Jacobson stated the challenge is to find a balance within the plan that makes it unique — expressing the goals and objectives that are important to the residents of Ramsey. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated goals and objectives are often seen as interchangeable, but there are also specific strategies necessary to achieve them. He added, for instance, the preservation of natural areas is an important goal, but it transcends Parks and Recreation and relates to the overall goals for the City as expressed in the Comprehensive Plan. Park and Recreation Commission/August 10, 2017 Page 3 of 12