Chapter 0.2 - Exec Summary_7.18.06 Executive Summary
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan i
Adopted 18 July 2006
Note: Since the inception of the Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and
Recreation Plan, New Scandia Township has decided to pursue incorporation.
Information herein is relevant to the community, regardless of whether it remains
New Scandia Township or becomes the City of Scandia. - SWB, Inc., July 2006.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN
The primary purpose of this Plan is to help New Scandia Township
develop and maintain a parks, trails, open space and recreation system
that meets the needs and desires of the current and future residents of
the Township. The Park and Recreation Committee, Township Staff,
elected officials, developers, and private landowners should use this
Plan to help address issues such as where park and trail acquisition
should occur, what types of additional recreation facilities and
programs are needed, how to identify open space that is best left
undisturbed, and how parks, trails, open space and recreation facilities
will be maintained.
RECREATION NEEDS, ISSUES,
THE COMMUNITY SURVEY &
VISION STATEMENT
In 2004 the Metropolitan Council estimated the population of New
Scandia Township to be approximately 3,970 people; the population is
projected to reach 5,000 residents between 2017 and 2020.
New Scandia Township’s population growth may affect parks, trails,
open space and recreation facilities in several ways:
1. Pressure to develop in rural and natural areas will increase.
Consequently, without proper planning the rural character that
attracted many residents to New Scandia Township may be lost.
Executive Summary
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan ii
Adopted 18 July 2006
2. The need to provide additional recreation facilities and programs
will increase.
3. Park dedication and fees in lieu of dedication will increase as new
subdivisions and development occurs.
Based on the projected population of the Township and the response from the
2004 New Scandia Township Community Survey, the Township has a need for
additional parks, trails and recreation facilities and programs. New Scandia
Township has a strong desire to ensure that future growth will be responsive to
the protection of significant open space, sensitive ecological areas and
maintaining the Township’s rural character.
PARK SYSTEM PLAN
The 2004 Community Survey provided overwhelming support of developing a
network of parks and open space throughout New Scandia Township. A
primary goal of the Park System Plan is to explore opportunities to preserve
open space and provide passive, nature-oriented community parks in areas
outside of the Village Center as a green network extending from the central
feature of the Scandia Community Center and its facilities.
The Park System Plan divides New Scandia Township into four park service
areas and illustrates where park search areas are desirable. A park search
area defines an area of land that is best suited to explore individual parcels for
parkland acquisition, due to its location, features and/or ecological
significance. Proposed acquisition of land occurs if and when land becomes
available. The Plan also describes the types of facilities each existing and future
park should have.
The Park System Plan identifies five park search areas (see Figure 3-3: Park
System Plan):
1. NSPS-A. Located near the Falls Creek SNA and Wind in the Pines
Park, acquiring parkland in this area would serve as a buffer to protect
and preserve these public lands for their scenic and ecological
significance.
2. NSPS-B. Located east of the Scandia Fire Hall and Township
Maintenance Building site, this area may be used for trails, interpretive
features and/or new recreation facilities, including disk golf.
Executive Summary
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan iii
Adopted 18 July 2006
3. NSPS-C. Parkland acquisition in the area south of the New Scandia
Community Center would encourage the preservation of significant
open space, which exhibits high ecological value.
4. NSPS-D. This park search area includes the northwest,
northeast and southeast corners of the intersection of State
Highway 97 and Manning Trail.
5. NSPS-E. Park search area five is located between Manning
Trail and County Road 1 north of German Lake. Parkland
acquisition in this area would serve to preserve this open space
rich in ecological diversity.
The Park System Plan advocates renovating existing undeveloped
Township parcels to their best advantage for integration into the larger
parks system to benefit Township residents and visitors. General
improvements for the Park System include providing signage, maps
and on-going maintenance and upgrading of existing park facilities.
Specific recommendations are suggested for each existing park parcel
in the Plan document.
TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN
The Trail System Plan promotes development of a diverse and
extensive trail system to include bicycle routes and trailhead/ rest stops
(see Figure 4-2: Bicycle Routes Plan). The trails will provide recreation
opportunities and link the New Scandia Township Village Center to
parks, neighborhoods and the Scandia Elementary School. Where
feasible, the Plan proposes development of off-road trails. However,
the Plan recognizes that many routes will be developed in road right-
of-ways. The Township would develop most routes and trails in
concert with future development and road improvements. The Trail
Plan emphasizes the need for public involvement in the trail planning
process.
The need to identify the search area for the Gateway Trail Extension
within New Scandia Township is distinguished as high priority.
Another goal is to identify a potential trail connection between William
O’Brien State Park and Big Marine Park Reserve.
Executive Summary
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan iv
Adopted 18 July 2006
OPEN SPACE PLAN
Natural areas and open space ranked among the highest importance
for Township residents’ quality of life in the 2004 New Scandia
Township Community Survey. Residents value the Township’s lakes,
wetlands, woodlands, and agriculture areas. Yet, as New Scandia
Township grows, open space diminishes in quantity and quality. The
Open Space Plan discusses the importance of open space and how it is
threatened. It also guides the Township in protecting and enhancing
significant open space.
Figure 5-7: Open Space Plan, shows conceptual open space corridors. These
corridors would help link fragmented open space, promote trail and wildlife
corridors, and preserve the rural character of the community. The Plan does not
necessarily reflect public acquisition of open space, nor does it necessarily reflect public use of
the open space. There are many land protection tools that allow landowners to
protect open space while retaining title to their property (e.g., conservation
easements, land retirement programs, and so on). The Township should use
the Open Space Plan as a general guide to work with conservation
organizations, landowners and developers to promote green corridors and
the protection of significant open space.
RECREATION FACILITIES PLAN
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 facilities system. 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 divides New Scandia Township into the same
four park service areas as the Park System Plan (see Chapter 3). Recreation
search areas are identified as best suited to explore parkland acquisition for its
recreation potential, due to its location and/or features. Proposed acquisition
of land occurs if and when land becomes available. The Plan also describes the types
of facilities each existing and future recreation facility should have.
The Recreation Facilities Plan identifies three recreation search areas (see
Fig.6.1: Recreation Facilities Plan):
Executive Summary
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan v
Adopted 18 July 2006
NSRS-A: Located directly adjacent to the east side of the Scandia Fire
Hall and Township Maintenance Building site north of CSAH 97, this site
could include trails, interpretive elements and explore the feasibility of
implementing a disc golf course.
NSRS-B: Located just west of the Scandia Elementary School, this
site is identified as an expansion of the school’s current facilities in
partnership with the Township.
NSRS-C: The intersection of State Highway 97 and County Road
15/Manning Trail could be considered for potential acquisition
toward recreation facility improvements.
The Recreation Plan advocates implementing several new recreation
facilities for the benefit of the Township. General improvements for
the Recreation system include providing trails to all recreation facilities,
improving lake access, providing signage, maps and on-going
maintenance and upgrading of existing facilities. Specific
recommendations are suggested in the Plan document.
RECREATION PROGRAMS PLAN
The Recreation Programs Plan provides inventory and analysis of the
Township’s existing recreation programs, identifies issues and
opportunities and sets goals and strategies specific to the existing
recreation system. Recreation programs can assist the Township in
creating a sense of community and ownership, be a vehicle for citizens
to volunteer their time and talent thus saving the Township money,
and they can educate people on being good stewards of our
environment.
IMPLEMENTATION
New Scandia Township will need to be diligent in implementing this
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan. The
Township should build consensus toward a list of priorities for
implementing the Plan. For example, a high priority goal of this Plan
involves identifying the Gateway Trail Extension corridor within the
Township. New Scandia needs to build partnerships with local,
regional and state entities to pursue funding for these improvements.
Indicators should be developed to evaluate progress in implementing
the Plan. Finally, the Township should periodically review and update
the Plan, including the vision statement, to ensure that it is relevant and
meaningful.