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Approximately 8% of the watershed is occupied by park, open space, or preserve land uses. Open space <br />and recreational areas are presented in Figure 2-15 and include regional and municipal parks located, as <br />well as conservation areas like the Anoka Nature Preserve and Rum River/Cedar Creek conservation area <br />(see Section 2.8). These areas provide opportunities for residents and people who recreate in the <br />watershed to appreciate and connect with local water and natural resources. Major county parks located <br />within the watershed include: <br />• Rum River Central Regional Park <br />• Rum River South County Park (Anoka County) <br />• Mississippi River West Regional Park (Anoka County) <br />Popular recreational opportunities within the District include activities like boating, fishing, hiking, <br />walking, biking, and others. There are several public water access points within the watershed, including <br />those on Round Lake, the Rum River, and the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River and Rum River are <br />also State Canoe Routes operated by the MDNR Division of Trails and Waterways. The Rum River is also <br />designated as a Regional Trail. The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department has a listing and <br />maps of trail systems throughout the county. <br />Parks and other open spaces may also provide stormwater management opportunities for the District and <br />its partners. In addition to providing physical space for BMPs, these spaces are often in an ideal location <br />situated between the non -point pollutant source (e.g., urban development) and the receiving water (e.g., <br />lakes, ponds, wetlands). Implementing BMPs in parks and other areas frequented by the public can further <br />enhance demonstration and education benefits. <br />The Rum River is classified by the MDNR as a wild, scenic, and recreational river dating back to 1978. This <br />designation covers the stretch of the Rum River in Mille Lacs, Sherburne, Isanti, and Anoka Counties. <br />Minnesota's Wild and Scenic Rivers Program seeks to protect rivers which have outstanding natural, <br />scenic, geographic, historic, cultural, and recreational values. Each wild and scenic river has a management <br />plan that outlines the rules and goals for that river applicable within a specific area (see Figure 2-15). <br />These rules are administered through local zoning ordinances to protect the rivers from water and visual <br />2-40 <br />