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Home My WebLink About02 21 12 City Council work session - Park Study and 2011 Financial ReportPark Planning Needs February 21, 2012 City Council Workshop Presentation Presented By: 10417 Excelsior Blvd, Suite One Hopkins, MN 55343 952.238.0831 Workshop Goal The purpose of this workshop is to determine the primary focus of the planning related to priorities. This may include: 1. Review and consider factors that impact the serviceability of the neighborhood park system. 2. Determine goals and objectives of the Utilization Study and Park Planning. 3. Determine timelines for the development of park planning documents. 2 2 1 Agenda – Planning Study Considerations 1. Review of national park standards for neighborhood level parks, the typical service level they provide and the typical service radius they cover 2. Discussion of demographic impact 1. Discussion of recreation trends 2. Prior Lake sample neighborhood park service area barriers and overlaps 3. Prior Lake sample area trail connections and gaps 4. Looking Beyond Neighborhood Parks 5. Discussion of future annexation / development areas 6. Open Discussion & Goal Setting 3 2 National Park Standards for Neighborhood Level Parks 1. Definition: Neighborhood parks are the basic units of the park system and serve a recreational and social purpose. 2. Focus is on informal recreation. 3. Programmed activities are typically limited to youth sports practices and occasional games. Exceptions may include: 1. Arts programs 2. Flag football 3. Non - spectator sports 4 4 3 Typical Neighborhood Park Size & Service Area Criteria 1. Typically 5 acres or more; 8 to 10 acres preferred, with 3 acres the desired minimum size. 2. Service area is ¼ to ½ mile uninterrupted by major roads and other physical barriers. If integrated into a larger greenway system with interlinking trails the distance can be expanded to ½ to ¾ mile radius. 3. Centrally located within the neighborhood it serves. 4. Site exhibits suitable physical and aesthetic characteristics, with a balance between developable open space and natural areas. 5. Connected to neighborhoods via trails or sidewalks. The less convenient (and safe) the access, the less use a park is likely to receive. 5 4 Typical Neighborhood Park Service Level / Amenities 1. Play area for multiple age groups 2. Accessible trail loop internal to the park - Priorities vary 3. Open maintained green space for informal use depending on each 4. Basketball halfcourt, volleyball court, hardcourt neighborhood area, or tennis court - Variety of ages 5. General site amenities - Year - round 6. Parking as needed amenities 7. Picnic shelter and picnic area - Accessible 8. Ballfield for informal use & pleasure ice rink - High quality 9. Aesthetics improvements and architectural elements 10. Ornamental landscape planting near active use areas 5 6 6 Ensuring Planning Efforts Align With and are Relevant to the Population Being Served 7 6 What are the Current and Projected Demographics? Prior Lake, Minnesota (2010) United States (2010) Under 5 9.0% Under 5 7.0% 5 - 9 8.8% 5 - 9 6.8% 10 - 14 6.8% 10 - 14 6.5% 15 - 19 6.5% 15 - 19 6.9% 20 - 24 3.8% 20 - 24 7.0% 25 - 34 11.9% 25 - 34 13.6% 35 - 44 19.0% 35 - 44 13.3% 45 - 54 16.3% 45 - 54 14.6% 55 - 59 5.6% 55 - 59 6.3% 60+ 12.1% 60+ 18.0% Compared to the national average Prior Lake has a relatively low baby boomer population and a slightly higher population in the 19 years old or younger category. 8 7 What are the Current and Projected Recreation Trends? 9 8 2011 Prior Lake Residential Survey • #103. Do you think the City has too many parks, too few or about the right amount? 87% answered about the right amount. • • #86. In which areas do you not feel safe? 33% answered Parks. • • #88. What would make you feel more safe? 22% answered more sidewalks and more lights. • 10 9 Service Zone Example Neighborhood West of Eagle Creek / Highway 21 and North of 154 th Street / Highway 82 11 10 Service Area Overlaps 1/3 mile service are is shown. Service area is defined as ¼ to ½ mile area uninterrupted by major roads and other physical barriers. If integrated into a larger greenway system with interlinking trails the distance can be expanded to ½ to ¾ mile radius. 11 12 Barriers within the Service Areas Roads Waterbodies Lack of safe connections Lack of directional signage 12 13 Connections and Gaps Yellow = Key corridors and intersections that should be evaluated to help create safer and more accessible connections from neighborhoods to park facilities and/or existing trail systems. 14 13 150 Street Corridor – Test th Example Based on the City Council’s Established Goals we can facilitate and complete the following process: • Assess and review existing amenities • Meet with neighborhood residents to receive input regarding park amenities and what is valued most • Create concept plans to best meet needs of residents cost effectively • Review plans with residents and City • Develop preferred master plan and implementation plan *Depending on the City’s goal, the public process Green Oaks Park can be handled in a Indian Ridge Park variety of ways Fish Point Park 15 14 Addressing questions from past discussions … The following are important topics and should be clearly understood before consolidation occurs. 1. What are the goals for life c ycle costs of the system? 2. Should refurbishing and repurposing of equipment be considered? 3. Should the City enhance remaining amenities? 4. Does the consolidation occur within the current capital and operating budget? 5. Should other elements play into the overall utilization plan such as trail and sidewalk gaps analysis, O&M plan, review of park standards for new development, etc .? 16 16 Cost Effective Long - Term Planning for Parks in Growth Areas Set guidelines now so that as new development occurs the City will have a plan that at a minimum: 1) Maximize service areas by avoiding overlap and 2) Plan for safe and accessible trail connections to public facilities 15 17 Looking Beyond Neighborhood Parks… Factors that must be considered to prepare a comprehensive park and trail system plan that is cohesive and has value • Community Parks, Athletic Complexes, Schools, etc. • Collaboration with other Agencies (maximizing resources) • Trail and Wayfinding Plan • Ecological / Natural Resources • Recreation Programming • Maintenance and Operations Plan • Implementation Plan • Funding Recommendations 18 17 Conclusion 1. The City’s goal(s) will determine which planning components must be studied. 2. It is important to keep in mind that there are many contributing factors that make up a cohesive and valued park, open space, and trail system. 3. Understanding and meeting the needs of the residents in a cost - effective manner is critical in any park and trail planning process and especially important if the City’s goal is to maintain or increase serviceability. 4. If the goal is to reduce costs in neighborhood parks it is unlikely that every neighborhood will be able to have a cost reduction and therefore it is important to look at all neighborhood parks and their supporting facilities. 18 19 Open Discussion & Goal Setting 10417 Excelsior Blvd, Suite One Hopkins, MN 55343 952.238.0831 19 20 the work have been explored. The SMSC has been identified as a project partner to aid the city Site Improvements would include invasive Initial Apllication Submittal funding starting spring 2013. of natural areas dependent on remaining grant Apllication Submittal #### continue to be explored for the forest and wetland restorations. in completion of prairie restoration. Other funding opportunities and partnerships should Pike Lake Park Development Timeline February 21, 2012 February March April May June July August September October November December Legacy Grant Application Execution of Grant Preparation Contract Application Review & Grant Award Award Spring/Summer 2012 Apllication Grant Contract 30 - 60 Days Work Completed Submittal Natural Area Restoration by June 30, 2015 Feb. 8, 2012 Grant work includes invasive species removal, forest, priaire and wetland restoration. Year 1 includes site prep and initial installation. Years 2 - 5 includes maintenance to support full establishment of native plantings. Year 5 will be outside of the grant timeline s and must be completely supported by the City or other project partners. Year 5 has the lowest cost. Existing Pike Lake Park Development Invasive Species Removals Trail Development Parking Lot Construction FiN Program Development Park Open for Construction of Fishing Pier Use Signage on CR42 and within Park Maple/Basswood Restoration Consider Other Funding Opportunities and Partnership Should the City not be successful with the Legacy Grant Application, other options to complete Maple/Basswood Restoration Should the City not be successful with the Legacy Grant Application, other options to complete Consider Other Funding Opportunities and Partnership Prairie Restoration the work have been explored. The SMSC has been identified as a project partner to aid the city Wetland Restoration Consider Other Funding Opportunities and Partnership in completion of prairie restoration. Other funding opportunities and partnerships should Park Promotion continue to be explored for the forest and wetland restorations. Outdoor Recreation & Natural and Scenic Grants - Land Acquisition TPL - Option forPurchase Appriasal Environmental Assessment Apllication Grant Preparation Submittal Application Review & Grant Award Award Summer 2012 March 30, 2012 PAC Grant Contract Resolution of Feb. 16, 2012 Title work and Preparation of Purchase Documents Support Close on Purchase of Parcel Mar. 19, 2012 Master Planning Public Hearing Initial Site Improvements March 5, 2012 Initial Site Improvements would include invasive Apllication Submittal species removals, trail development, and restoration species removals, trail development, and restoration #### Apllication Submittal of natural areas dependent on remaining grant #### funding starting spring 2013.