1.a Table of Contents_7.18.06 Table of Contents
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan
Adopted 18 July 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vision Statement
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary...................................................................................i
Table of Contents ......................................................................................vi
List of Figures..............................................................................................xi
Chapter One: Introduction
Purpose of the Plan ......................................................................................1-1
Planning Process .........................................................................................1-2
Plan Goals & Objectives ...........................................................................1-3
Use of the Plan .............................................................................................1-4
Chapter Two: Recreation Needs,
Issues, the Community Survey & Vision Statement
Regional Context .........................................................................................2-1
Demographics ..............................................................................................2-2
Population Growth .................................................................................2-2
Population Density..................................................................................2-2
Age Distribution ......................................................................................2-2
Park Users with Special Needs ..............................................................2-3
Park Use from Non-Residents ..............................................................2-3
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Table of Contents
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan
Adopted 18 July 2006
Collaboration with Other Entities ..........................................................2-4
Other Government Entities ..................................................................2-4
School Districts .......................................................................................2-4
Athletic, Non-Profit and Community Organizations ........................2-5
Residents and Landowners ....................................................................2-5
Recreation Trends ......................................................................................2-5
1990-1994 Minnesota SCORP ..............................................................2-5
2003-2008 Minnesota SCORP ..............................................................2-8
Metropolitan Council Leisure Survey...................................................2-8
Recreation Needs......................................................................................2-10
National and Regional Standards ........................................................2-10
Existing Facilities ..................................................................................2-11
General Issues and Concerns .................................................................2-11
The 2004 New Scandia Township Community Survey..................2-13
A Vision for New Scandia Township’s Parks, Trails, Open Space and
Recreation System ....................................................................................2-15
Chapter Three: Park System Plan
Introduction ...................................................................................................3-1
Inventory and Analysis ...............................................................................3-1
Nearby Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreational Facilities .........3-1
Park Classification System for New Scandia Township ....................3-5
Existing Undeveloped Parks .................................................................3-6
Existing Neighborhood Parks ...............................................................3-7
Existing Community Parks ....................................................................3-7
Existing Special Use Parks .....................................................................3-8
Visioning Session: Park Issues, Opportunities & Recommendations
........................................................................................................................3-13
Park System Goals and Strategies ........................................................3-14
Park System Plan.......................................................................................3-19
Park Service Areas.................................................................................3-20
General Improvements for All Parks .................................................3-22
Update of the Park System Plan .........................................................3-25
Proposed Improvements to Existing Parks ......................................3-25
Chapter Four: Trail System Plan
Introduction...................................................................................................4-1
Benefits of Trails .....................................................................................4-1
The Need for Public Participation in the Trail Planning Process....4-2
Inventory and Analysis ..............................................................................4-2
Visioning Session: Trail Issues, Opportunities & Recommendations
..........................................................................................................................4-7
Goals and Strategies ...................................................................................4-8
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Table of Contents
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan
Adopted 18 July 2006
Trail System Plan ......................................................................................4-14
General Locations and Guidelines for Trail Development.............4-15
Trails within Road Right-of-Ways ......................................................4-15
Bicycle-Pedestrian Trails Separated from the Driving Lanes .........4-16
Bicycle Lane............................................................................................4-17
Bicycle Route..........................................................................................4-17
Off-Road Trails......................................................................................4-18
Bicycle-Pedestrian Trail ........................................................................4-21
Nature Trails ..........................................................................................4-21
Snowmobile Trails .................................................................................4-22
Cross-Country Ski Trails ......................................................................4-24
Equestrian Trails ....................................................................................4-24
General Guidelines for Trailhead/ Rest Stop Development ......4-26
General Locations for Proposed Trailheads/ Rest Stops ...........4-26
Trail Funding Sources.................................................................4-27
Update of the Trail System Plan .................................................4-27
The Washington County Linear Park System Master Plan ........4-27
Chapter Five: Open Space Plan
Introduction ..................................................................................................5-1
Inventory and Analysis ..............................................................................5-1
Major Geologic Landforms ...................................................................5-2
Presettlement Vegetation .......................................................................5-7
Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands and the St. Croix River ......................5-7
Natural Communities..............................................................................5-8
Existing Public Open Space ................................................................5-19
Importance of Open Space ..................................................................5-23
Threats to Open Space .........................................................................5-24
Visioning Session: Open Space Issues, Opportunities &
Recommendations ....................................................................................5-25
In Support of Open Space.......................................................................5-26
Green Corridor Opportunity Areas ...................................................5-26
Carnelian-Marine Watershed District Natural Resource Inventory and
Management Plan ..................................................................................5-27
Goals and Strategies .................................................................................5-27
Open Space Plan .......................................................................................5-30
Conceptual Open Space Corridor Plan ..............................................5-30
Land Protection Tools ..........................................................................5-30
Environmental Learning Opportunities.............................................5-33
Conclusion ..............................................................................................5-34
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Table of Contents
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan
Adopted 18 July 2006
Chapter Six: Recreation Facilities Plan
Introduction...................................................................................................6-1
Inventory and Analysis ...............................................................................6-1
Existing Regional Recreational Facilities .............................................6-1
Recreational Classification System for New Scandia Township ......6-3
Existing Neighborhood Recreational Facilities ..................................6-4
Existing Community Recreational Facilities .......................................6-4
Existing Special Use Recreational Facilities ........................................6-5
Public Schools .........................................................................................6-7
Existing Boat Launches/ Lake Accesses .............................................6-8
Visioning Session: Recreational Facility Issues, Opportunities &
Recommendations ......................................................................................6-9
Recreational Facilities System Goals and Strategies ......................6-10
Recreational Facilities Plan ...................................................................6-13
Recreation Service Areas......................................................................6-13
General Improvements For All Existing Recreational Facilities ...6-20
Improvements to Existing Lake Accesses ........................................6-20
Update of the Recreational Facilities Plan ........................................6-21
Chapter Seven: Recreation Programs Plan
History ............................................................................................................7-1
Existing Township Recreation Programs ............................................7-1
Visioning Session: Recreational Program Issues, Opportunities
& Recommendations .................................................................................7-3
Recreational Goals and Strategies .........................................................7-4
Chapter Eight: Implementation
Introduction ...................................................................................................8-1
Goals and Strategies ....................................................................................8-1
Implementation Plan .................................................................................8-4
Implementation Procedures ..................................................................8-4
Acquisition Funding Sources.................................................................8-4
Selected MnDNR Grant Programs ......................................................8-5
Property Acquisition Options ...............................................................8-8
Park Development Funding Options...................................................8-8
Priorities and Indicators .........................................................................8-9
Vision ............................................................................................................8-12
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Table of Contents
New Scandia Township
Comprehensive Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Plan
Adopted 18 July 2006
Appendix A: Traditional Neighborhood Design
Introduction .................................................................................................A-1
TND Principles in Parks, Trails, and Open Space ..........................A-1
Issues and Opportunities .........................................................................A-2
Goals and Strategies ..................................................................................A-4
Conclusion ...................................................................................................A-5
Appendix B: 2004 New Scandia Township
Community Survey ...............................................................................B-1
Appendix C: Stakeholder Response Form .....................C-1
Resources ......................................................................................................R-1
Bibliography ............................................................................................Bib-1
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