Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/18/2004

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200] Comprehensive Amended £ebrua~, 25, 2002 be part of the MNR_FL-~ ¢ontinuos trial corridor. Strong public opposition is not unique to Ramsey. Many communities face si~nilar opposition. Like it has done in other instances, the City of Ramsey should seek to learn fi'om other community.'s experiences. A general description of a triad corridor can be found in an ordinance dating back to [989: however, many residents were not aware of. this. This co~dor should not necessarily be abandoned but should be reevaluated using a public participator'/ process to determine how lands are reserved ~br the site. whether they shouM be public or private, how they should be used, maintained and what exact aligmmen.t should be used. It should also be clear to residents that a trail corridor is a desired element bv the greater community, and that the Cit'5'. is ensuring involvement to meet the needs of the concerned property, owners. The Greenwav Corridor represents an area that may contain a significant natural resource or. may be an important link to connect signi~cant areas. Much o£ the riverfront area is contained in the Greenway corridor. The intent of this designation is to provide an area that calls for extra e'f`£ort to protect_environmental resources and plan tbr the preservation of open space. One of two approaches can be used to implement the greenway strategy. An ordinance can be drafted that calls out site development restrictions and open space preservation requirements, or through the PUD process, developers can work with staff to devise a plan that address the main objective of the greenway corridor which is to preserve the natural resources and link sial:sm il'~cant environmental areas. F.,5'tabth'h Historic,/Educational Markers: An oppom~nity exists to tell the story of the early settlement of' Ramsey, similar to the monument located at the Wayside Rest. Opportunities for ftwther education could be established within the Mississippi West Park as part of its development, near a fufure Scenic overlook within Site 2 or somewhere along the Continuous trail corridor. These interpretation pieces could be as simple as a plaque on a stand that identifies natural species or explains the Red River Trail. Funding sources include the National Park Service, City. of' RamseT, DNR, Anoka CountT. Historical Society., non-profit goups or resident or business donations. 39