HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-11 PRC Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
A Joint Meeting of the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Commission
Andthe Ramsey County Parks Commission
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
6:00pmat the Maplewood Community Center
(Upper Level Conference Room)
2100 White Bear Avenue
PLEASE NOTE: Maplewood Parks Commission meetings are typically held on
the third Wednesday of the month - please note change of date and location. The
th
February 18meeting has been cancelled
.
1.Welcome and Introductions
2.County and City Partnerships
a.Fish Creek
b.Tuj Lub at Keller Regional Park
c. Disc Golf at Battle CreekRegional Park
d.Other Ideas
3.Maplewood Parks System Plan
4. Ramsey County System Update and 2015 Improvement Projects
5.Adjournment
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission
Maplewood Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM:
DuWayne Konewko, Maplewood Parks and Recreation Director
Jim Taylor, Maplewood Parks Manager
DATE:
February 11, 2015
SUBJECT:
Maplewood Parks System Master Plan
Introduction
Maplewood City Staff spent the last two years working with residents, businesses, City Council,
Parks System Plan Task Force, Parks and Recreation Commission, and our consultants to
create a Parks System Master Plan that reflects the input of our residents and business
community. The plan will set forth a vision for the next twenty years by providing
recommendations, strategies, and tools to assist the City, its stakeholders, and many partners
to ensure that Maplewood’s Parks System is at top-quality well into the future.
Background
The creation of this planbegan in February of 2013 andtook two years to complete. Phase I of
the process included a thoroughengagement of Maplewoodresidents, businesses, and parks
and recreation users to obtain all inputthat could influence the plan. Upon completion of Phase
I, City Council adopted these findings in January of 2014. In March of 2014, City Council
authorized staff to begin Phase IIand enter into a contract with Hoisington Koegler Group for
the completion of the Maplewood Parks System Master Plan. This phaseincludedthe findings
from Phase Iand usingbenchmarking datato conduct a system wide evaluation to compare
Maplewood’s current parks system against standards from the National Parks and Recreation
Association and best practices from other communities.
In 2014, staff identified one of their goals as becoming a CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation
of Parks and Recreation Agencies) accredited agency. This goal has also been identified within
the plan and will be a tool we can use to help achieve this accreditation.
The main overarchinggoal of the planning processwas to educate and raise awareness about
the importance of parks and recreation in Maplewood and to ensure that future investment in
the system meetsthe needs of the community. Staff feels this was accomplished through the
extensive community process.
The creation of this plan has been aninterdepartmental effort with staff from the City.
Representatives from all departments have worked with the planning team throughout the
process. The expertise that each of them brought was instrumental in the creation of this plan.
In Januaryof 2015,the Parksand RecreationCommission and the City Council both adopted
the Parks System Master Plan.To find additional information on the process and a copy of the
full plan visitour website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/parks.
Recommendation
No recommendation at this time.
Attachments
1.Executive Summary
DRAFT 12.10. 2014
PARKS & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN
A great parks and
contributes to a great community
recreation system
When people talk about the places they love in a
city, parks are typically at the top of the list. Parks Community Center, Nature Center, and park activity
are sources of civic identity and pride and are also buildings is needed.
essential to the physical, economic, environmental,
Updating recreation offerings so the system remains
and social health of the City of Maplewood and its
fresh, exciting and relevant in light of changing
residents.
demographic and recreation trends is also important.
Today, the City of Maplewood has an enviable Trails are currently high demand facilities that appeal to
parks and recreation system. The system is known all ages; climate change and environmental awareness
for its leadership in sustainability and diverse are making sustainability more important than ever
recreation options. Fifty parks and preserves anchor before; a more diverse population is creating demand
neighborhoods and provide places for community for culturally relevant activities; public expectations
gathering, athletics, and respite, while the community for high quality city facilities have steadily risen over
center and the nature center are hubs for programs.time.
However, the parks and recreation system is It is an exciting time for Maplewoods parks and
transitioning from a developing system to a mature recreation system. The strong foundation of parks,
system, which is presenting new challenges. At
the core of future issues is the need for extensive changing demographic and recreation trends offers
park revitalization and reinvestment. System-the opportunity to reinvent the system for the next
wide replacement of aging park facilities such as generation of Maplewood residents.
DECEMBER
2014
System Master Plan Executive Summary1
DRAFT
The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is to guide
reinvestment in and reinvention of the parks and recreation syst
for the next generation of Maplewood residents
recommendations and associated strategies.
Recommendations do not include every
possible action, but highlight those needed
to achieve the future vision.
Plan recommendations are organized into 5
topic areas:
parks and recreation facilities
trails
natural areas and greenways
programs
arts and culture
To help create a vibrant community that embraces diversity, cele
culture, values health and wellness, and promotes stewardship of
Guiding Principles
2
Executive Summary
DRAFT
C I
P & R
OMMUNITYNPUT
ARKSECREATION
C S
ITIZENURVEY
A goal of the planning process was to
vision for parks and recreation. To that
end, over 800 residents participated in the
process during 2013-2014. Community
input included:
K F:
EYINDINGS
Improvements Most
Desired at Parks Near Home
Restrooms
Park security lighting
Picnic tables/benches
Drinking fountains
Shade structures
Picnic shelters
Natural areas
Trails
Parking
Playground equipment
20%
Sidewalks
Park entrance signs 16%
16%
Bike racks
14%
Increased accessibility
Sand volleyball courts
13%
10%
Basketball courts
10%
Tennis courts 9%
Horseshoe pits
7%
Pickle ball court
4%
11%
Other
None chosen
12%
DECEMBER
2014
System Master Plan Executive Summary3
DRAFT
Parks and Recreation Facilities
Taking care of the existing system is the highest community prio
in and upgrading parks and facilities. Essential is creation an
management plan. This will allow the City to anticipate and pri
facilities at the end of their functional life-cycle.
Improving basic amenities such as restrooms in community parks a
benches, and updated signage in all parks is important for creat
Community gardens, a tuj lub court, pickelball, and adding a dis
of newer recreation facilities desired by residents.
S P C
IGNATUREARKSONCEPT
Sidewalk to be built in 2015
Proposed pedestrian/bike connection
Existing pedestrian/ bike connection
Existing regional trail
4
Executive Summary
DRAFT
P S R F
ROPOSEDPECIALTYECREATIONACILITIES
694
Sunset
Legacy
Ridge
Park
Park
Playcrest Park
Joy Park
Maplewood
Heights Park
694
Silver
Lake
r
Hazelwood Park
61
Gervais
-
Lake
COUNTY ROAD C
Kohlman Park
Harvest Park
Four
Seasons
Park
36
Keller
Sherwood
ADDOUTDOORPERFORMANCESPACE
Regional
36
Park
Park
AND SIGNATURE ADA ACCESSIBLE
Timber Park
Maplecrest
City Hall
r
Park
Campus &
PLAYGROUND
Community
Robinhood Park
Edgerton ParkCenter
Flicek Park
Roselawn Park
FROST AVE
Veteran's
Hillside
Memorial
Kenwood
Gloster Park
Western
Park
Park
Park
Phalen
Lookout
Hills Park
Wakefield
Regional
Park
-
Park
Park
LARPENTEUR AVE E
r
ADD TUJ LUB
ADD INTERACTIVE
Nebraska Park
WATER FEATURE/694
Í
Lake Sterling Oaks Park
Phalen
35E
SPLASH PAD
Geranium
Park
Beaver
Lake
r
Gethsemane Park
Lions Park
3M
Lake
Tanner's
94
Lake
Battle Creek
r
Lake
Afton Heights Park
Proposed Speciality
-
Battle Creek
Regional Park
Recreation Facilities
(
Í
Facilities
Specialty Recreation
PARTNER WITH COUNTY FOR DISC GOLF
Crestview Park
Í
1 Tennis court
Off Leash Dog Area
Vista
Mailand Park
2 Tennis courts
Hills
(
Existing Cross-Country Ski
Park
Pleasure rink only
-
494
Sledding Location
61
Applewood Park
Pleasure and hockey rink
Í
Pig's Eye Lake
r
Indoor Pool
Warming House
Pleasantview
r
Park
Swimming Beach
Community Center
'
Carver
Lake
r
City Parks
52
Regional/County Park
10
Park Service Areas
01
[
Miles
DECEMBER
2014
System Master Plan Executive Summary5
DRAFT
Trails
The popularity of trail based activities
such as walking and biking continues to
grow. Trails bring the park system closer
to every resident, offer transportation
alternatives, and support a healthy,
active population.
The Master Plan recommends continuing
to develop a priority network of north-
south and east-west connections
throughout the community as well
as enhancing connections beyond
Maplewood. Priority projects will make
the existing system more functional by
completing missing segments.
The Nature Center, Natural
Areas, and Greenways
Maplewood residents place a high
value on environmental health. The
Parks and Recreation and Public
Works Departments will continue to
exemplify environmental leadership
through education, demonstration,
design, maintenance and operations
in parks and preserves.
The citys 15 preserves will continue
to be the foundation of the protected
open space network. These areas will
be the focus of habitat restoration and
natural resource management efforts
while allowing for some passive
recreation.
The Nature Center will continue to be
the community hub for environmental
stewardship and nature-based
programming.
6
Executive Summary
DRAFT
P/B N P I
EDESTRIANICYCLEETWORKRIORITYMPROVEMENTS
§¦¨
694
Sunset
Legacy
Ridge
Park
Park
Playcrest Park
Joy Park
Maplewood
§¦¨
Heights Park
Silver
694
Lake
UV
Hazelwood Park
61
Gervais
Lake
COUNTY ROAD C
Kohlman Park
Harvest Park
Four
Seasons
UV
Park
36
UV
Keller
Sherwood
36
Regional
Park
Park
Timber Park
Maplecrest City Hall
ParkCampus &
Community
Robinhood Park
Center
Edgerton Park
Flicek Park
Roselawn Park
FROST AVE
Veteran's
Hillside
Memorial
Kenwood
Gloster Park
Western
Park
Park
Park
Phalen
Lookout
Hills Park
Wakefield
Regional
Park
Park
Park
LARPENTEUR AVE E
§¨
¦
Nebraska Park
694
Lake
Sterling Oaks Park
§
¨¦
Phalen
35E
Geranium
Park
Beaver
Lake
Gethsemane Park
Lions Park
3M
Lake
§¨
¦
Tanner's
94
Lake
Battle Creek
Lake
Afton Heights Park
Battle Creek
Regional Park
Pedestrian/Bicycle Network Priority Improvements
Crestview Park
Vista
2013-2016 Project Mailand Park
Hills
Park
Planned CIP Project (No Time/Funding)
§¨
¦
494
£
61
Missing Segment
Applewood Park
Pig's Eye Lake
Priority Project Corridors
Pleasantview
Existing Pedestrian/Bicycle Network
Park
Carver
Lake
City Preserve
£
52
City Park
£
10
Regional/County Park
[
01
Miles
DECEMBER
2014
System Master Plan Executive Summary7
DRAFT
Arts and Culture
The arts enhance livability, bring diverse
groups of people together, celebrate
history and heritage, contribute to
economic vitality, enhance learning
in classrooms, raise awareness of
environmental and social concerns, and
bring beauty and meaning to the built
environment.
Maplewoods arts and cultural
programming will grow and evolve
organically over time. The City will build
on and expand its partnerships to foster
arts, look to develop arts programs, and
integrate arts into infrastructure such as
buildings, bridges, and picnic shelters.
Programs
The need for recreation is an essential
component of a healthy, vital
community. Recreation programs
are pursued for enjoyment, health,
skill development, enrichment,
socialization, entertainment, physical
recreation and demographic trends
mean programs need to constantly
evolve.
It is an exciting time for programs in
Maplewood. Future recommendations
focus on community-building events
like 5K runs and concerts, updating
multipurpose buildings in parks to bring
more programs to neighborhoods,
and emphasizing outreach to diverse
population groups.
8
Executive Summary
DRAFT
Implementation
If an additional $100 were available for City
parks, preserves, trails, and recreation
facilities, how respondent households would
Realizing Maplewoods vision for parks and
allocate the funds
recreation will take time, dedication, and
Improve existing neighborhood &
additional funding. The City already invests
community parks $31
new capital projects and ongoing operations
Other
and maintenance. Funding for the system
$8
Improve
comes from a variety of sources including
existing
preserves
allocation from the general fund, grants,
$11
partnerships, and volunteers. Adequately
Development
of new
facilities
system reinvestment and reinvention will be $15
Develop new
preserves, trails
essential to realizing plan recommendations.
& recreation
Improvements will not occur overnight, but
Acquisition of open
areas in forest
space adjacent to
oreserves
will be phased over time, dependent on
Maplewood Nature
$10
Center
available funding and staff time.
$8
Source: 2014 Parks & Recreation Citizen Survey
For More Information
Please contact the Maplewood Parks Recreation Department
651.249.2120
DECEMBER
2014
System Master Plan Executive Summary9
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