Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/12/2018

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Skyway. In 2014, the City secured $490,000 from the National Park Service, and completed the Final Plans and Specifications —for a project that is shovel ready. • `Minimize at -grade crossings of trails and roads and other interactions between trail users and automobiles, with underpasses or overpasses' Status: See above. In addition to the underpass constructed below T.H #47 with the second phase of Elmcrest Park's development —a realignment of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail is underway to be routed from Ramsey Boulevard, through The COR and over both the rail road tracks and Hwy #10. • `Seek out alliances and partnerships with non-profit and governmental agencies to assist in securing funding and other resources that will assist in implementing the park and traiI plan' Status: Ramsey has secured well in excess of $2 million dollars from governmental agencies for park and trail construction in recent years. In 2017, an alliance with the Mississippi River Park Connection (a non-profit) and Recreational Equipment Incorporated (REI) funded a new recreational opportunity for Ramsey, canoe campsites on the Mississippi River. This was implemented by a partnership with Anoka County and Ramsey Parks, MN DNR and Conservation Corps Minnesota. • 'Work with the schools and community organizations to plan for athletic fields and facilities that will accommodate the growing community' Status: The City is working closely with the School District #11 on the new elementary school (2018-19 construction) which will have several outdoor facilities, as well as trail connections to the adjoining neighborhoods. Additionally, the City and the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association have a strong partnership in both planning for, and renovating and developing fields and facilities to meet increasing demands. • `Study the need for a Community Center that offers a variety ofrecreational uses for all age groups' Status: Through the Resilient Communities Program partnership with the University of Minnesota, the City is organizing a number of different evaluations on how a Community Center may be structured to meet the future needs of residents. These studies will inform City Council on the way forward, with this discussion expected to occur later in 2018. Public Engagement Since the early 1990's the City has purposely and consciously engaged residents in their neighborhood park planning with good success —creating ownership in their public spaces. More recently, the City of Ramsey has undertaken a variety of engagement efforts, city-wide that directly and indirectly impact decision making about the park system. The responses to all those efforts have highlighted the importance of parks, recreation, trails, and open space on the quality of life in Ramsey. Access to City of Ramsey 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Chapter Page 4 of 30