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RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN | 1 PLANNING FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW The purpose of the Rice Creek North Regional Trail Master Plan is to guide the development, preservation, management, and improvement of the Rice Creek North Regional Trail. The Rice Creek North Regional Trail is located in the northwest corner of Ramsey County. The Ramsey County section of trail is 4.75 miles in length and is part of a 14 mile regional trail corridor that extends from the Rice Creek - Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Anoka County to the Mississippi River by way of Long Lake Regional Park. The trail corridor includes Rice Creek and its floodplain. This master plan replaces and updates the 1998 Rice Creek North Regional Trail Corridor Master plan, along with the amendments made in 2003 and 2013. The 2019 Rice Creek North Regional Trail Master Plan is written to fulfill the requirements of the Metropolitan Council for regional trail master plans for as outlined in the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan. METROPOLITAN REGIONAL PARKS AND OPEN SPACE SYSTEM Regional parks and trails are developed in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area to preserve green space for wildlife habitat and provide a wide range of natural resource related recreational opportunities. Established in 1974, the Regional Parks and Open Space System is managed by the Metropolitan Council in partnership with cities, counties, and special park districts. While the operation of the system is the responsibility of cities, counties, and special park districts, the Metropolitan Council supports it with planning, funding, and advocacy. Each implementing agency, such as Ramsey County, is responsible for the development of a master plan for its regional park, regional trail, and open space components. In 2018 the metropolitan regional park and trail system includes 56 regional parks and park reserves totaling more than 54,000 acres, nearly 400 miles of interconnected trails, and 8 special recreation features. Regional trail corridors provide recreational opportunities along linear pathways throughout the metropolitan area. There are two broad types of regional trails: destination trails (greenways) and linking trails. Destination trails, such as the Rice Creek North Regional Trail, provide high-quality natural resource based experiences, a scenic setting and a compelling sense of place, and often follow natural or linear features that traverse areas of scenic appeal and/or historical, architectural, and developmental interest. Trails are also selected for their ability to intersect with local trail networks, with the regional trails functioning much like regional highways that interconnect with more local arterials and local streets. Parts of the regional trail network, especially in urban areas, may serve as commuting routes for bicyclists in addition to serving recreational purposes. As the regional trail and transit systems expand, opportunities to provide connections between these forms of travel should be explored. People can ride the bus or light rail to access a regional trail, conversely, people can use regional trails to access transit. Regional trails can also be developed as greenways, or linear parks, where the trail itself is a destination. These greenways typically include wide corridors that provide opportunities for improving wildlife habitat, protecting natural resources, and providing recreational opportunities. The Rice Creek North Regional Trail falls into the category of a greenway. Thrive’s regional vision includes five desired outcomes: stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability, and sustainability. While each outcome is described below, it is important to note that the five outcomes reinforce and support one another to produce greater benefits than any single outcome alone. The outcomes provide policy direction for the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan.