Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/14/2019

Home

Executive Summary [ Ill ur m IDF:a ur a g re spr [Will be populated when document content is at 90%] CHAPTER 1: Introduction lPurp aw. There are many reasons Ramsey is a remarkable city to reside: agricultural roots which provide a sense of authenticity, growing opportunities spurred by new development, extensive parks and trails system to connect residents, and a sense of community drawn from shared experiences. Uniqueness can even be found in the physical shape of Ramsey. Within the winding boundaries formed by the Mighty Mississippi and Wild and Scenic Rum River, a diversity of residents can be found— each with their own individual identity, background, family, means of living, and interests that influenced their reason for calling Ramsey home. Parks and recreation agencies offer the ability to positively impact their respective communities through safe and accessible ways to recreate. Departments in this capacity work to increase economic value in their city and simultaneously provide ways to improve quality of life for residents. An established parks and recreation department increases the value of property, attracts business opportunities, and reduces costs of health care, costs of social services, and serve as a crime prevention strategy source to beciLed).; On the individual basis, participants in recreation programs gain substantial benefits in both their physical and social health: reduces self- destructive behavior, lowers risk of diseases, improves longevity of life, builds strong bonds within a community and enhances overall wellbeing (source Jobe rLed). Services from parks and recreation departments are vital to achieve well-balanced human development, further discussed in [Section X] As Ramsey continues to grow and change, the Parks and Recreation Department is placed in an opportune position to use the momentum to [provide quality services] [build best community it can]. As a city that encompasses 29 square miles, [recent % breakdown of residential vs commercial], and 15% of the area is protected wetlands. The City boasts Soo acres of municipal parkland which contains, [x miles of trails], [x miles of river on the border] and [X program offerings]. With [natural spaces as such], Ramsey is an attractive place to [In progress: statement in regards to parks system attracting residents/businesses]. The Recreation Plan will assess current recreation programs in Ramsey, identify the need for future programs, and recommend best implementation practices. [In progress: hold for information on newness of programming in the city and the framework this document will provide to help shape it for the future and frame the direction we should go] This document is designed to interconnect with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and Park System Plan. Additionally, it will support and respond to [initiatives, tactics] from the 2019 approved Strategic Action Plan. IPV11liiSSlii<)l11 a um(I Co re VaIIIII u es Mission The City has adopted a mission to work together to responsibility grow our community, and to provide quality, cost-effective, and efficient government services. The Recreation Plan will describe how the Parks and Recreation Department will implement this mission through robust recreation programming in the City. Core Values The Parks and Recreation Department will utilize all of the City's Core values in regards to program development, with a focus on the following: