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Regional Parks and Trails <br />Adopted by the Metropolitan Council in <br />February 2015, the 2040 Parks Policy Plan is <br />the metropolitan system plan for regional parks <br />with which local comprehensive plans must <br />conform. <br />Winter recreation area at Theodore Wirth Regional Park <br />in Minneapolis <br />Hennepin County is graced with many beautiful parks <br />and trails that showcase the unique landscapes of our <br />area and provide year-round recreational opportunities. <br />Some of the best-known and most -visited include the <br />Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Elm Creek Park Reserve, <br />and Hyland Lakes Park Reserve. <br />• Parks and trails used for recreation positively <br />influence our environment, health, and <br />economy. <br />• Parks preserve our natural landscapes, provide <br />animal and plant habitats, and play a vital role <br />in community storm water infiltration. <br />• Parks support a healthy community by <br />providing opportunities to connect with nature, <br />which has proven physical and mental health <br />benefits, for example: making it easier to be <br />physically active regularly, reducing risk of <br />preventable chronic disease, and strengthening <br />family relationships and community <br />connections by providing formal and informal <br />gathering places. <br />• Parks positively influence property values and <br />make areas more attractive for development <br />and redevelopment. <br />Hennepin County's role <br />Hennepin County does not plan for, own, or operate <br />the parks and trails within its borders. These are the <br />responsibility of cities and special park districts. Some <br />are part of the regional park system, and regional parks <br />are supported by planning, funding, and marketing <br />from the Metropolitan Council. <br />The cities or districts that operate regional parks are <br />designated as Regional Parks Implementing Agencies. <br />The Regional Parks Implementing Agencies in Hennepin <br />County are Three Rivers Park District, the Minneapolis <br />Park and Recreation Board, and the City of <br />Bloomington. District boundaries, regional parks and <br />regional trails are depicted on maps P-1, P-2 and P-3. <br />The county supports parks by making physical <br />connections to parks with roads and trails and by <br />providing, supporting, and funding various <br />environmental, health, social and education programs. <br />NatureFest, an environmental education field day offered by <br />Hennepin County and Three Rivers Park District <br />1 <br />