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Chapter 6- Recreation Facilities_ 7.18.06Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-1 Adopted 18 July 2006 CHAPTER SIX RECREATION FACILITIES PLAN INTRODUCTION The Recreation Facilities Plan serves to guide the Park and Recreation Committee, Township Staff, Town Board, Planning Commission, developers and residents in decisions related to the size and location of future recreation facilities as well as the types of facilities that should be associated with each location. The Recreation Facilities Plan provides inventory and analysis of the Township’s existing recreation facilities, identifies issues and opportunities and sets goals and strategies specific to the existing recreation system. This chapter puts forth a plan for the enhancement of existing recreation facilities and the development of new ones as identified in Chapter Two: Recreation Needs, Issues, the Community Survey and Vision Statement. INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS This section provides an overview of the existing recreation facilities in and around New Scandia Township as of Fall 2005. EXISTING REGIONAL RECREATION FACILITIES Several public and private recreation facilities are within or near New Scandia Township. Regional recreation facilities generally serve populations within a one-half hour to one-hour travel time. In and around the New Scandia Township area, many public and private recreation facilities relate to natural resource areas. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-2 Adopted 18 July 2006 There are several regional public recreation facilities located within roughly 20 miles of New Scandia Township. Following is the list by location with their associated recreation activities: 1. Big Marine Park Reserve. This Washington County Park offers two boat accesses, canoeing and fishing. Future plans show campgrounds and equestrian trials, with an ultimate park size of approximately 1,920 acres. 2. Forest Lake Community Park. Currently in the planning stages, this park is located approximately five miles west of New Scandia Township and south of State Highway 97 in Forest Lake. This park is part of a large multi-use development planned to include baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, an indoor hockey facility with two rinks, picnic facilities, trails and a community center containing an indoor swimming pool and fitness center. Big Marine Landing 3. Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Dedicated as part of the National Scenic Riverway system in 1975, this area offers boating, canoeing, fishing, hunting, swimming and wildlife observation. 4. Paul Hugo Farm Wildlife Management Area. Located in central Hugo, this 360-acre site offers hunting and nature observation opportunities. Lower St. Croix National Scenic Riverway 5. Rice Creek Chain of Lakes. Located in the Lino Lakes area, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes provides water-related recreation opportunities including boating, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, and nature interpretation. 6. William O’Brien State Park. Located in the southwest corner of the Township, this park offers boating, campgrounds, canoeing, fishing, picnicking, swimming and wildlife observation. The following are private recreation facilities in and around New Scandia Township: 1. Eko Backen. This recreational facility is open exclusively for groups and offers summer and winter activities, including water slides, mini- golf, volleyball, a golf course, a picnic area and snow tubing. 2. Good Templar Park Association. Privately held land located just east of Big Marine Lake. Eko Backen Waterslide Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-3 Adopted 18 July 2006 3. Ironwood Driving Range. Approximately one-half square mile in size, Nickelson’s driving range is located just east of Manning Trail North on State Highway 97. 4. Lake Lakamaga Girl Scout Camp. Owned and operated by the Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley for girls in grades one through twelve, this Girl Scout camp includes camping, boating, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, a sports field, an adventure course and an archery range. RECREATIONAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR NEW SCANDIA TOWNSHIP For the purpose of this plan, the Recreation Facilities Plan uses the following classification system: 1. Neighborhood Recreation Facilities. Neighborhood recreation facilities are intended to serve neighborhood residents. Typical facilities associated with neighborhood Recreation Facilities include play equipment, softball/baseball fields, soccer fields, court games, skating, picnic facilities, trails, and parking. 2. Community Recreation Facilities. Community recreation facilities are generally located near collector or arterial roads and service an area that encompasses a one to two mile radius. Since many people drive to these facilities, they need to have adequate parking and restroom facilities. 3. Special Use Recreation Facilities. Special use recreation facilities provide areas for specialized or single purpose Recreation Facilities such as a softball field or a skateboard park. These recreation facilities range in size, depending on their use. 4. Public School Facilities. Public school facilities are dedicated primarily to student use. Even so, these areas contribute to new Scandia Township’s recreational resources. 5. Existing Boat Launch/Lake Access. Although these are not recreation facilities per se, boat launches and lake accesses also contribute to New Scandia Township’s recreational resources. The following sections provide a brief overview of existing recreation facilities in New Scandia Township (see Table 3-A: Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities). Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-4 Adopted 18 July 2006 EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD RECREATION FACILITIES There is one public neighborhood recreation facility in New Scandia Township. NP-1: Children’s T-Ball Field. Located on Olinda Trail North, this 2- acre park backs on to the New Scandia Community Center site and is adjacent to single-family homes. Scope of use includes girls in grades K-1 participating in FLAAA (Forest Lake Area Athletic Association) programs. Games and practices are played three to four days per week from April through June. Amenities include a parking area, spectator seating, player benches, satellite restroom and trash containers. T-Ball coaches and a local volunteer for FLAAA handle all scheduling. The Township covers all expenses, including mowing, trash collection and field maintenance. The Children’s T-Ball Field is currently under-utilized. Children’s T-ball Field Approximately eleven acres in size, Barton Johnson Memorial Park is owned and maintained by Elim Lutheran Church. This private park/recreation facility includes a gazebo, playground, tennis courts, picnic area, grills, fire pits, softball fields, bicycle racks, parking and a satellite restroom. The softball field is used primarily by girls in grades 2-4 playing with FLAAA. Games. Practices are held three to four days per week from April to June. Scheduling and maintenance are handled by Elim Lutheran Church. New Scandia Township could consider a cooperative agreement with Elim Lutheran Church for improvements to this private park as benefit to the larger community. EXISTING COMMUNITY RECREATION FACILITIES There are two community recreation facilities in New Scandia Township totaling 25 acres. CP-1: Scandia Community Center. Outdoor facilities include a softball field, two tennis courts, playground, basketball hoop, three picnic tables, grills, bench seating and indoor restrooms when the building is open. This facility shares a site with the Leonard Wojtowicz Skate Park. The Community Center ball field is located just to the south of the Scandia Community Center on Olinda Trail, and used by the Forest Lake Community Education Department’s youth baseball program. Approximately 200 youth play games three to four days per week from April through July. The ball field includes a parking lot, spectator seating, player benches, satellite restroom and trash containers. The Community Education Department’s local volunteer Scandia Community Center Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-5 Adopted 18 July 2006 baseball manager handles scheduling. The Township covers all expenses, including mowing, trash collection and field maintenance. In 1982, two tennis courts were constructed along with the Community Center addition. Use of the tennis courts has declined, in keeping with national trends. At this time it is considerably under utilized; there are approximately six to ten visitors per week. Scheduling is handled on a first-come, first-serve basis, except when instructional lessons are scheduled. The Township covers all expenses for maintenance. The courts were resurfaced in the early 1990’s and again in July 2005. In June 2005 a single basketball hoop was installed for recreational basketball on the east end of one tennis court. CP-2: Lion’s Park at Hay Lake. Washington County gave this parcel to the Township to develop as a local park with the Washington County Historical Society as a cooperative venture in 1991 when Olinda Trail was rerouted. The Scandia-Marine Lions funded and constructed a picnic shelter in 2003 to accommodate area bicyclists and visitors to the Hay Lake School Museum. Amenities include a picnic shelter with electricity, eight picnic tables, 2 grills, a trash container and satellite restroom. There is no scheduling of this facility done at this time. The Township covers all maintenance expenses, including mowing and trash collection. EXISTING SPECIAL USE RECREATION FACILITIES There are two special use recreation facilities in New Scandia Township. The BMX Track, which no longer exists, is also mentioned here for reference. SUP-1: Scandia Ballpark (Lighted Ball Field). Located north of State Highway 97 on Olinda Trail near the Village Center, the deed for this 2- acre site was transferred to the Township in 1996 from the Scandia Rod and Gun Club on the condition that it remains a ballfield or athletic facility until 2016. Facilities include a lighted softball field, player benches, spectator seating, satellite restroom, children’s play equipment, trash containers, a recycling container, concessions and parking area. Mr. Jim Lindberg of the Scandia Athletic Association currently schedules the Scandia Ballpark. The facility serves the Women’s Softball League and the Forest Lake Area Association (FLAAA), which amounts to approximately 300 participants two to three days per week from June through August. New Scandia Township covers most expenses, including mowing, trash collection and field maintenance for Scandia Ballpark. Several local businesses advertise within the ballpark, generating Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-6 Adopted 18 July 2006 some revenue that is collected and tracked by the Scandia-Marine Lions Club. SUP-2: Leonard Wojtowicz Skate Park. Sharing the site with the Scandia Community Center, this skate park functions as hockey rink in winter and a skateboard park from spring through fall. New Scandia Township’s hockey rink and warming house was constructed in 1990 as a community project with a major donation from the Wojtowicz family and many in-kind services donated by local business people throughout the area. It is used December through February, weather permitting, for organized and pick-up games of ice hockey. Teams from the greater area reserve and rent the ice on a seasonal basis Monday through Friday, with approximately eight teams practicing per week. Amenities include player benches, a Zamboni, small kitchenette, office, water hook-up, heat and electricity, indoor restrooms and trash containers. A local resident affiliated with the Forest Lake Area Hockey Association handles scheduling and payment of ice rental. The Township covers all expenses for maintenance. In addition, a maintenance supervisor is hired during the ice season to build and maintain the ice from November through February. The goal is to have skate-able ice by the time the kids are off school for the holidays in December and maintain it until mid February, depending on weather. The warming house is used from December through February for hockey and pleasure skaters as well as June through July for a youth playground program. A warming house supervisor hires and schedules several attendants who are on duty throughout the ice season to open, supervise, maintain and close the building. The Township covers all expenses for maintenance. An ice skating rink is made every year just east of the hockey rink and north of the Community Center for pleasure skating. From spring through fall, the hockey rink is transformed into a skateboard park with equipment purchased cooperatively by the Township and local skateboard enthusiasts in the summer of 2003. Scope of use for the skateboard park is primarily boys, ages 8 to 14 years old. During the spring, summer and fall, the skateboard park easily has between five to eight skaters throughout the day. Amenities include bump-to-bump, kicker, four-foot street spine, fun box and grind rail. Scheduling is handled on a first-come, first-serve Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-7 Adopted 18 July 2006 basis, except when instructional lessons are scheduled. The Township covers all expenses for maintenance. Although the BMX Track no longer exists, it was located behind the T-ball field on Oakhill Road from 2002 to May 2005. The Park and Recreation Committee supported the Town Board’s decision to close this facility, given that efforts by the BMX group failed to maintain standards set by the League of Minnesota Cities. There was vocal opposition from neighboring residents and the facility appeared to be underused. There is one private special use recreational facility in New Scandia Township. The Scandia Riders Saddle Club leases a parcel north of Scandia on Olinda Trail North just east of Goose Lake for special events and horse shows. PUBLIC SCHOOLS Area School Districts provide additional recreation facilities in New Scandia Township. PS-1: Scandia Elementary School. Located west of the Village Center on State Highway 97, this 4-acre site supports four baseball fields with player’s benches, two soccer fields, four half-court basketball courts, two playground areas, (4) four-square, a drinking fountain, a picnic table, trash containers, a satellite restroom, bicycle racks and parking. The Forest Lake School District covers all expenses, including mowing, trash collection and field maintenance. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-8 Adopted 18 July 2006 EXISTING BOAT LAUNCHES/LAKE ACCESSES The following public boat launch is owned and operated by New Scandia Township. TBL-1: Goose Lake Landing. Located on Goose Lake, this boat launch is accessed off of a public street on a narrow access point between two residential lots. Most of this Township holding is lake bottom. The Township operates and maintains an aerator from this location. Goose Lake Landing There are five additional public boat launches on New Scandia Township waters, three of which were listed previously under the larger context of regional recreation facility: PBL-1: Big Marine Boat Launch- North. Operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources, this boat launch is located on the north shore of Big Marine Lake off of Mayberry Trail North. This boat launch has a ramp and parking for cars and trailers. PBL-2: Big Marine Boat Launch- West. A ramp and parking for cars and trailers is provided at this boat launch. It is operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources and is located off of Manning Trail North. PBL-3: Bone Lake Boat Launch. Located on the northwest shore of Bone Lake off of 238th Street North, this boat launch has a ramp and parking for cars and trailers. It too is operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources. PBL-4: Log House Landing at Copas Boat Launch. Located near Copas, this boat launch is operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources and is one of two boat landings located on the Lower St. Croix River within the Township. PBL-5: William O’Brien State Park Boat Launch. Located within the State Park, this boat launch is popular access for canoes and fishing enthusiasts on the Lower St. Croix River. Log House Landing at Copas Boat Launch In addition to the boat launches, some streets have been platted to the shoreline of the Township’s many lakes. In most cases, the streets are unimproved and there are no public improvements associated with the accesses. However, the Township could use these areas for future storm water management or as future improved accesses to the lakes. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-9 Adopted 18 July 2006 VISIONING SESSION: RECREATION FACILITY ISSUES, OPPORTUNITIES & RECOMMENDATIONS The following issues, opportunities and recommendations were developed over a series of meetings and workshops with the Park and Recreation Committee that included a Visioning Session with members of the School District and Town Board in December of 2004: ISSUES: 1. Serve Township resident’s needs & desires despite limited financial resources. 2. Uncertainty regarding where Recreation Facilities are located. 3. Determine the needs of special user groups. 4. Identify need for team/adult recreational programs. 5. Identify need for soccer fields. 6. Identify need for more adult softball fields. 7. Identify need for basketball courts. 8. Identify need for circuit training. 9. Identify special needs of senior population. 10. Condition of existing facilities. 11. Regular maintenance needed. 12. Sanitary facilities needed (Log House Landing at Copas). OPPORTUNITIES: 1. Provide recreation facilities appropriate across all age levels. 2. Provide recreation facilities appropriate across all ability levels. 3. Partner with other communities for facility maintenance and use. 4. Explore alternative funding sources for development. 5. Increase active recreation at Scandia Elementary School area. 6. Limit dependence on automobile for recreation. 7. Initiate non-smoking policy. 8. Promote the needs of special user groups. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Develop partnerships with local & regional Recreation Facilities (e.g. adjacent school districts, and local city governments. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-10 Adopted 18 July 2006 RECREATION FACILITIES SYSTEM GOALS AND STRATEGIES The following goals and strategies express the community’s vision for recreation facilities in New Scandia Township. The goals are broad, general statements that the Township will strive to attain. The strategies are specific, action-oriented statements that provide the framework for a wide range of recreation facilities system decisions that the Township will make through the year 2025. The Township should periodically review and update the goals and strategies expressed in this plan. The recreation facilities system goals and strategies are as follows: Goal 1: Develop a Recreation Facilities system that meets the needs of all residents of the Township. To accomplish this goal, the Township establishes the following strategies: 1. Develop, maintain, and improve the Township's Recreation Facilities to meet the changing needs of the community. 2. Maintain an equitable distribution of Recreation Facilities throughout the community. 3. Develop Recreation Facilities that provide multi-use and multi- seasonal programs and activities, are safe, enjoyable, and accessible to the public. 4. Consider aesthetics in addition to function. 5. Develop Recreation Facilities that consider the needs of all residents and offer sufficient facilities tailored to suit the neighborhoods they serve. 6. Provide for and ensure a balance of active and passive recreation facilities at neighborhood, community and regional parks. 7. Acquire and reserve sufficient land to fulfill the recreation needs of the present and projected future population of the Township. 8. Provide Recreation Facilities and equipment that meet the needs of users as per the American Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and requirements. 9. Provide safe recreation facilities and opportunities for people of all ages. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-11 Adopted 18 July 2006 10. Create programs and incentives that continue a high level of improvements for New Scandia Township's Recreation Facilities. 11. Consider the management of the Lighted Ball Field sign/advertising revenue and what this revenue should be used for on an annual basis. Goal 2: Develop a close working relationship with other agencies and groups to enhance the recreation facilities in the Township. To accomplish this goal, the Township establishes the following strategies: 1. Coordinate and maintain a partnership with the Forest Lake School district to provide and maintain recreation facilities for school-age children in the Township. 2. Create a proper balance between private and public recreation facilities. 3. Seek assistance from others to provide funding for recreation facilities planning, staffing, acquisition, development, and maintenance. 4. Coordinate planning efforts between the Park and Recreation Committee and the following entities: a. Town Board and Planning Commission b. State agencies, Washington County and the Metropolitan Council c. Township and local organizations, including but not limited to Area School Districts, the Forest Lake Area Athletics Association (FLAAA), baseball/softball clubs, hockey associations, snowmobile clubs, riding clubs, cycling clubs, civic organizations and service clubs, churches, other special interest groups, other athletic associations, businesses, Township and privately operated Recreation Facilities (such as golf courses, playfields, trails, gun clubs, and the like). Goal 3: Design and locate Recreation Facilities to best meet their purpose. To accomplish this goal, the Township establishes the following strategies: Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-12 Adopted 18 July 2006 1. Identify appropriate use of existing facilities. Focus on providing active facilities in larger community settings while providing passive facilities in small neighborhoods. 2. Concentrate on providing a limited number of centrally located, easily accessible Recreation Facilities that function as a network throughout the Township and service an entire neighborhood or the whole community. 3. Consider ways to link Recreation Facilities to parks and schools in adjacent communities. 4. Develop consistent recreational facility signage and install signs at each Township entrance or in locations which are easy to see and difficult to vandalize. Provide appropriate signs that describe hours of operation, rules, and other pertinent information. 5. Promote high-quality design standards. 6. Maintain suitable natural areas in a condition appropriate for passive recreational uses. 7. Where necessary, screen, fence and/or buffer recreation areas for the safety and protection of the user as well as the adjoining property owners. 8. Prepare maps of all Recreation Facilities and periodically update the maps. Goal 4: Develop an effective planning approach to developing and maintaining Recreation Facilities. To accomplish this goal, the Township establishes the following strategies: 1. Use the planning resources and data from the Metropolitan Council, State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), National Recreation and Park Association Standards & Guidelines, and other resources. 2. Plan for changes in Recreation Facilities only after involving the local neighborhoods and/or larger community in determining recreational facility needs. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-13 Adopted 18 July 2006 3. Establish a procedure for effective Park and Recreation Committee communication with all individuals and organizations involved in utilizing recreation facilities for programs: a. Hire additional staff to work closely with the Town Board, maintenance Staff, etc., as necessary. b. Consider having a Township employee handle the scheduling and maintenance coordination for all recreation facilities within New Scandia Township. c. Work with and enlist professional advice and services to ensure that improvements are properly designed to accommodate proposed facilities in a safe and economical manner. d. Work closely with local citizens on long-term and complex development proposals/issues. e. Respond to Town Board requests. f. Initiate special recommendations and requests for the Town Board. g. Work with Township Staff in planning for future Recreation Facilities. h. Publish information for recreation facilities in a logical location (e.g. Township website, hotline number, etc.) with hours of operation, procedures, facility rules and contact telephone numbers. RECREATION FACILITIES PLAN The Recreation Facilities system goals and strategies provide the framework for the Recreation Facilities Plan. This section sets forth a plan for acquisition and development of new Recreation Facilities to serve the residents of New Scandia Township. For discussion purposes, acquisition, development and recommended improvements are organized under their respective park service areas, as identified in Chapter Three: Park System Plan. RECREATION SERVICE AREAS The Recreation Facilities Plan divides the Township into four (4) total recreation service areas (see Figure 6-1: Recreation Facilities Plan). All Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-14 Adopted 18 July 2006 service areas are based in part on what is defined as the ‘Village Center’ and ‘Village Center Expansion’ in the 1998 New Scandia Comprehensive Plan, the size of the area, the population of the area and physical barriers (like major roads or lakes) that surround the area. Although these areas reflect general neighborhoods or planning districts, they should not be viewed as isolated or stand-alone areas. Their primary purpose is to simplify discussion of the Recreation Plan. The following describes general needs in each of the areas. Service Area 1. This area is in the northeast quadrant of New Scandia Township. Oldfield Avenue North creates the east-west boundary to State Highway 97, which separates the Township in half from north to south. According to the 2000 Census, Area 1 had approximately 19% of the total population of 3,692 residents, or 701 residents. The population in Service Area 1 will likely grow by the year 2025, given its proximity to the Village Center and population projections from the Metropolitan Council and the State Demographer. Recreation Facilities in this area include Goose Lake, the Scandia Ballpark (Lighted Field), the Scandia Rider’s Club, Wind in the Pines Park and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Goose Lake is a popular lake for fishing. In addition to the existing boat launch, the Township should consider a canoe rack and fishing pier, respectively, at this location. The Scandia Ballpark (Lighted Field) could be scheduled for more events. The parking area could be redesigned, allowing for more efficient parking, a bicycle rack and a picnic area. Consideration should be given to relocating the play equipment away from Olinda Trail North for safety reasons. It may be advantageous for the Township to provide links to and from the Scandia Rider’s Club location. Currently underutilized, the Swenson’s Estate lot could serve as a trailhead/ rest stop for this leg of an equestrian trail. The Recreation Facilities Plan identifies a search area in Service Area 1: NSRS-A: Given its proximity to the Village Center, the Township should consider the location directly adjacent to the east side of the Scandia Fire Hall and Township Maintenance Building site north of CSAH 97 for a recreational facility search area. This site could include trails and interpretive elements, disc golf course, athletic facilities and ice facilities. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-15 Adopted 18 July 2006 Service Area 2. Located at the southeast corner of the Township, this area is south of State Highway 97, and east of Olinda Trail North. The population of Area 2 was roughly 849 in 2000 and it will likely grow through the year 2020, as identified in the Comprehensive Plan as part of the Village Expansion Area. The Scandia Community Center, Children’s T-Ball Field, Lion’s Park at Hay Lake, Swedish Settler’s Monument, Barton Johnson Memorial Park, the Gammelgårten Museum, Scandia Elementary School, Log House Landing at Copas, William O’Brien State Park and the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is in this park service area. The Township should consider maintaining and improving the Scandia Community Center Recreation Facilities, but remain diligent in preserving high quality ecological open space as identified in Chapter 5: Open Space Plan, if expansion is made to the south. The Community Center ball field should include a bicycle rack and signage, including signage that warns drivers along Olinda Trail North to drive cautiously in a youth play area. The size of the pleasure ice skating rink is inadequate for the level of use. Consideration should be given to expanding this ice facility or adding additional ice-skating facilities at a different location in the Township. The Township should consider installing a bike rack and perhaps picnic tables at the Children’s T-Ball location. Currently underutilized, this site has potential in shared use with a Disc Golf course. In the off-season, these T-ball fields could be demarcated and maintained as soccer field(s). Future possibilities for the Lion’s Park at Hay Lake include the addition of a parking lot (to include buses) in the vacated roadbed, public access to Hay Lake, relocating the Hay Lake School Museum sign closer to the corner of Olinda and Old Marine Trail and a trail connection from Olinda to the parking lot. The Log House Landing at Copas currently has informal parking and makeshift boat launch on a steeply eroded embankment. A partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources could help implement an improved boat launch, parking area, a satellite restroom and a canoe rack at this site. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-16 Adopted 18 July 2006 Service Area 3. This area is located at the southwest quadrant of the Township and includes Big Lake School Area and Big Marine Regional Park. Due to expansion plans for Big Marine Regional Park Reserve, there is not a strong need for additional Recreation Facilities in this area. However, the Township should consider working in partnership with Washington County toward implementing a fishing pier at the north end of Big Marine Lake. Although the Township can only make suggestions regarding Scandia School District’s Recreation Facilities, spectator seating should be implemented for the baseball fields. NSRS-B: This plan identifies a potential recreation search area just west of the Scandia Elementary School, as an expansion of their current facilities in partnership with the Township. This search area could include future use as soccer fields, softball fields for adult leagues or an alternative location for a disc golf course. This search area extends west into Park Service Area 3. Service Area 4. This area is located at the northwest quadrant of the Township. At 32% of the population in 2000, it had a population of approximately 1,101. Bone Lake Park is located at the north central portion of this area. The Township should consider improving Bone Lake Park by working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to provide a fishing pier at the north end of Bone Lake. A canoe rack would also be beneficial at this location. NSRS-C: The intersection of State Highway 97 and County Road 15/Manning Trail has been identified as a search area for potential acquisition toward recreational facility improvements. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-17 Adopted 18 July 2006 FIG.6-1: RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PLAN Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-18 Adopted 18 July 2006 Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-19 Adopted 18 July 2006 Table 6-A: Recommended Recreation Facilities for New Scandia Township, provides a summary of existing public recreation facilities in New Scandia Township in 2005. It also recommends the type and number of recreation facilities that the Township should have based on a projected population of 5,000 residents between 2017 and 2020. Table 6-A: Recommended Rec. Facilities for New Scandia Township Total Proposed Add. Add. Existing Existing Standard Needed Needed Township School Per 1,000 Year 2005- Facility Facilities Facilities People 2005 2020 _ Archery Range 0 0 1/50,000 0 0 BMX Track 0 0 --- 0 0 Baseball 0 0 1/6,000 0 0 Basketball 1 Hoop 4 Half-court 1/5,000 0 1 Boat Landing 1 (3) 0 --- 0 0 Canoe Rack 0 0 --- 0 2 Community Facility 1 0 --- 0 0 Disc Golf 0 0 --- 0 1 Ice, Arena- Indoor 0 0 1/15,000 0 0 Ice, Hockey- Outdoor 1 0 1/3,500 0 1 Ice, Pleasure-Outdoor 1 0 1/5,000 0 0 Ice, Warming House 1 0 --- 0 1 Picnic Shelter 1 (1) 0 1/5,000 0 0 Pool- Indoor 0 0 --- 0 0 Pool- Outdoor or Beach (1) 0 1/20,000 0 0 Skateboard Park 1 0 --- 0 0 Sliding Hill 0 0 1/15,000 0 0 Softball-Youth 3 (1) 3* 1/1,800 0 0 Softball-Adult 1 0 1/5,000 0 0 Tennis Courts 2 (2) 0 1/3,000 0 0 Volleyball 0 0 1/6,000 0 1 Note: Numbers in parentheses represent National, State or private facilities. * Designates combination athletic fields. These fields could be used for baseball/softball in the Spring and soccer/football in the Fall. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-20 Adopted 18 July 2006 GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR ALL EXISTING RECREATION FACILITIES In light of today’s economy, the value of partnering with adjacent communities and/or agencies in working toward an improved and expanded recreation facilities system in New Scandia Township cannot be overemphasized. General improvements for existing Township Recreation Facilities should address the following: 1. Provide signage for New Scandia Township’s Recreation system, which clearly identify each facility within the entire system. 2. Provide maps to clearly indicate extent and types of Recreation Facilities in the Township. 3. Provide trails to all Township recreational facility locations. 4. Explore the potential of implementing disk golf as an appropriate fit to the recreation needs of New Scandia Township. Considered one of the fastest-growing sports in Minnesota, an estimated 100,000 Minnesotans play disc golf (Star Tribune “Disc golf is not your grandfather’s Frisbee game”, September 20, 2005). 5. New Scandia Township should continue to maintain and upgrade existing facilities and related improvements consistent with the recreational system as conditions and budget allow. IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING LAKE ACCESSES New Scandia Township should study possibilities to improve existing public accesses to its lakes. The Township should also explore creative opportunities to use the unimproved portion of streets that were platted to the shorelines of New Scandia Township. They are not large enough to accommodate recreation facilities, yet they require Township maintenance. Perhaps these areas could be used for storm water management, habitat restoration and open space preservation. Some of these areas may be appropriate for the Township to provide benches and a pedestrian path to the edge of the water, as well as public trail access on the waterfront. Chapter Six Recreation Facilities Plan New Scandia Township Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan 6-21 Adopted 18 July 2006 UPDATE OF THE RECREATION FACILITIES PLAN The proposed improvements described above are based on existing and anticipated conditions based on the 2000 Census and probable growth in the Township. New Scandia Township should periodically review and update the recommendations regularly as conditions warrant. The Township should completely update the Recreation Facilities Plan by the year 2025, given its anticipated rate of growth.