Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/08/2018

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The Natural Resource Inventory should be a basis for projects/proposals to restore degraded resources and maintain high -quality natural resource features, including the estimated capital costs of natural resource restoration projects. Regional park implementing agencies should consult with natural resource professionals in the design and final construction of the trail/ greenway, that are adjacent to or cross over natural resource areas. The final design and construction should allow the public to view and enjoy these natural habitats with minimal adverse impact on that habitat. Information on how surface water and groundwater resources in the unit, including wetlands, will be protected. If appropriate, this should include standards and requirements that are consistent with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's best management practices for stormwater management. The master plan should include provisions to, first, avoid wetland impacts; second, minimize impacts; and, finally, mitigate impacts when no other options are available. - Information on how vegetation will be managed. Design Considerations for Master Plans The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan incorporates the policy direction provided by Thrive MSP 2040 to: • Promote expanded multimodal access to regional parks, regional trails, and the transit network, where appropriate • Strengthen equitable usage of regional parks and trails by all our region's residents, such as across age, race, ethnicity, income, national origin, and ability To respond to these goals, regional park implementing agencies are encouraged to consider the following design elements in a regional park or trail master plan. Promote expanded multimodal access: • Provide connections to transit stops or park -and -rides when designating the alignment of a regional trail, where appropriate • Provide bike racks and lockers located near activity areas in regional parks so visitors can safely store their bikes as they recreate • Design multiple entrance points to a regional park to make it easier for bicyclist or pedestrian to access the park, where appropriate Strengthening equitable usage: • Provide amenities suited for the aging population and/or those with limited mobility, such as: - Siting picnic areas or short, looped trails close to parking lots or points of access - Providing benches as appropriate intervals along trails • Designing non -fee picnic areas that accommodate mid -sized groups (for example, 15-25 people), which would allow for spontaneous gatherings: