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PROPOSED PRIORITIES FOR CURRENT PARK DEVELOPMENT In order to bring the Park System up to par for the existing population and expressed community priorites, the Park Board is suggesting a major bond referendum. The bond is intended to provide money for amenities for the smaller parks, plus the first phase of a development program for the larger parks. A. COMMUNITY PLAYFIELDS This 40+ acre site was recently conveyed to the City by Federal Cartridge Company. It is intended to be developed as a major multi -use playfield area including softball, baseball fields with a concession /storage building, hockey, free - skating, and possible tennis courts and football- soccer fields. Parking areas would be included along with lighting and an irrigation system. Complete development of this community playfield will cost well over a million dollars, but it will be designed and built so that portions of the area will be completely usable during the initial phases. Additional corporate and private donations would be particularly advantageous for development of this park. This site is outside the planned urbanization area, however, to augment the school facilities, this new active play area should be developed. B. RAMSEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY PLAYFIELDS This 47 acre school site serves as the only large scale, community recreation area in the City. Currently, it has two skating rinks (1 hockey rink), a warming house, a softball field and large play- ground. Proposal It is proposed that a comprehensive plan of this site be made before expanding any existing recreation facilities. Also proposed is a 3/4 mile all purpose trail following a drainage ditch south from the southwest corner of the Ramsey Elementary site, to a large drainage pond. Also proposed is a 45 acre addition from the mouth of the ditch, around the pond, where it would be linked with the now existing Ramsey Terrace Park. The two additions (45 acre site and the trail corridor...100' minimum each side), it is felt, would greatly enhance this urban planning district that can expect a maximum population of 5,000 people. Ramsey Terrace would function as a passive area, while Ramsey Elementary would function as an intermediate area, or transition area, containing both active (running trails) and passive (picknicking) activities. The two areas under proposal should be thought of as one that contains existing trails, is heavily wooded; contains a variety of wildlife, and is located centrally in the planned urban district where the heaviest city growth will occur. As develop- ment occurs in the urban district, parking and roads (for access and buffers) can be developed. 13