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

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Chapter Three: System Plan Introduction The overarching outdoor recreation system in the region consists of lands owned or managed by federal, state, and local governments, as well as lands privately owned by nonprofit or for -profit agencies. All play an important role in supporting and protecting the outdoor recreation system. The system is designed to meet the recreational needs and the natural resources protection goals of the region. The outdoor recreation system consists of a wide range of facilities, from state parks to regional trails to neighborhood playgrounds to private nature centers. The Regional Parks System is one part of this well-rounded system of outdoor recreation. The Regional Parks System primarily consists of lands located in a high -quality natural resources setting that are contiguous to lakes, rivers, or other water bodies. Natural resource restoration and protection is a key objective in the Regional Parks System. Regional parks and park reserves include large areas of land or water that often extend into multiple political jurisdictions. Regional trails may traverse several communities and provide connections between regional parks, park reserves, and the greater regional trail network. Regional parks and trails draw visitors from across the region and beyond. Recreational parks and open space provided by the federal and state government generally serve similar recreational demands as the Regional Parks System. Local recreational open space facilities provide facilities for active recreation, such as playgrounds, athletic fields, courts, and aquatic centers. Private operations also make substantial contributions to the development of facilities and the provision of services and include golf courses, riding facilities, marinas, day camps and downhill ski areas. National Parks and Federal Lands Our region includes the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge as well as two national parks --the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a corridor of land and water along the Minnesota River that stretches from Bloomington to Henderson and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge was established in 1976 to provide habitat for a large number of migratory waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife species threatened by commercial and industrial development, and to provide environmental education, wildlife recreational opportunities, and interpretive programming for Twin Cities residents. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area The 54,000-acre Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) was established in 1988 and is a unit of the National Park Service. The National Park Service owns very little land within its borders but partners with local governments, state agencies, and organizations to protect the significant resources along the 72-mile stretch of river running through the region. Several regional parks and trails, which are owned and operated by regional park implementing agencies, are located within the MNRRA corridor.