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<br />Mr. Mareck stated a Master Park and Trail Plan is being planned depicting the City’s existing <br />sidewalks and proposed connectivity, using a model from Anoka County and the Metropolitan <br />Council. He added this is helpful as it shows where there are currently on-street bike lanes. <br /> <br />Ms. Roering asked whether the map colors could be changed, and make the background more <br />opaque, to make it easier to see pathway connections. Mr. Mareck agreed. <br /> <br />Mr. Mareck stated the North Star commuter rail station is an important part of the community <br />infrastructure. He added a circular shuttle service is being considered, and the City of Fridley is <br />doing a pilot project with van service from the rail station to local businesses. He noted these are <br />important aspects of the City’s multi-modal transportation plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated the 2030 Comprehensive Plan’s transportation component (Chapter 10) is <br />focused on goals and strategies. He added the first seven strategies identified by the <br />Comprehensive Plan have been completed, which gives an indication of how useful the <br />Comprehensive Plan is at identifying viable goals. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated one of the top 4 current imperatives is a “connected community”. He added <br />the City has increased its trail connectivity south of Bunker Lake Boulevard in recent years, and <br />is now included in the Anoka County Regional Trails System. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated the City received funding from the National Park Service to construct a <br />pedestrian bridge connecting the Mississippi River Trail. He added that connectivity will increase <br />the number of North Star Rail users along Ramsey Boulevard. <br /> <br />Mr. Riverblood stated a new community park is planned near Itasca Lake on an area of land that <br />was purchased by the City in Spring 2016. <br /> <br />Mr. Breuer asked whether the Park Trust Fund comes from fees from developers. Mr. Riverblood <br />stated park dedication fees are paid to the City when new development occurs, but they do not <br />cover parks and trails costs. <br /> <br />Mr. Bauer stated the City’s green spaces currently do not require much maintenance. Mr. Gladhill <br />agreed, adding Lacrosse fields are expected to be in high demand, and that will require some <br />additional planning and field changes. He noted larger parks can be reconfigured for new uses. <br /> <br />Mr. Bennett stated many residents ask why the City spends more money on trails than on sports <br />fields and playing areas. He added this should be addressed as a long-term planning issue. Mr. <br />Riverblood stated there is a give and take in terms of available funding for parks, and it is a <br />misconception that a disproportionate amount of funds is spent on trails. <br /> <br /> <br />2040 Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee / March 13, 2017 <br />Page 5 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />