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RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN | 46
<br />Site development should not destroy, damage nor alter any significant water body, waterway, wetland, native
<br />woodland or other wildlife habitat within the unit. Development (location and installation of recreation facilities)
<br />should respect the integrity of the existing natural character of the site and the carrying capacity of the resource
<br />base. Development within the restricted areas should be limited to interpretive or unpaved hiking trails.
<br />Roadways, parking lots, buildings and intense use areas should be located in and through those areas that
<br />already have been disturbed (i.e. dormant agricultural fields, former home sites, existing dirt roadways). Those
<br />disturbed areas not subject to facility development should be restored to a natural state and subsequently
<br />managed as protection open space. Most of the land area in the corridor is located within the bounds of the
<br />floodplain for Rice Creek. Due to its status as a seasonally flooded “wetland”, development within the floodplain
<br />should be discouraged or kept to a minimum.
<br />Partners
<br />There are many agencies, organizations and private individuals that partner with the Ramsey County Parks &
<br />Recreation Department to aid in natural resources management within the corridor. Some of these include,
<br />volunteers, Arden Hills Army Training site natural resource staff, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
<br />Rice Creek Watershed District, Cities of Shoreview and Arden Hills, Ramsey County public works environmental
<br />department, to name a few. The Parks department greatly appreciates the collaboration and will continue to
<br />work with surrounding partners, as natural resource management does not stop at jurisdictional boundaries.
<br />PUBLIC SERVICES
<br />No significant new public services will be needed to accommodate the development of the Rice Creek North
<br />Regional Trail. The proposed multi-season trailhead development will be accessed from County Road I. As the
<br />park is established and visitor use increases, the intersection will need to be reviewed regularly to determine
<br />whether intersection improvements are needed to accommodate traffic volumes and preserve motorized and
<br />non-motorized transportation safety.
<br />The multi-season trailhead development access road is planned for construction in the Ramsey County Parks &
<br />Recreation department appropriation for the Parks and Trails Legacy Amendment Funding for 2019/2020. It is
<br />anticipated that sewer and water will be extended from existing mains on County Road I, and electrical services
<br />will be brought in as well, in conjunction with the access road.
<br />There is a TGRS facility located in the Rice Creek Commons area that is cleaning groundwater. However, utilities
<br />needed to service this facility will be located within the trail corridor for temporary electric and water discharge
<br />within the Arden Hills Army Training Site area. Until the EPA determines the groundwater is safe for consumption,
<br />use of groundwater is prohibited.
<br />Suitability
<br />Units Resource Examples Appropriate Activities
<br />Suitable Disturbed areas, flatland, open fields, former
<br />house sites, existing recreation areas, sandy
<br />shoreline, utility easements
<br />Picnicking, swimming beach, boat launch,
<br />parking lots, roads, paved trails, play structures,
<br />buildings
<br />Sensitive Relatively undisturbed areas, mixed woodlots
<br />and forests, moderate slopes
<br />Limited paved trails, unpaved trails, interpretive
<br />trails (including boardwalks), observation areas
<br />and platforms
<br />Restricted Vulnerable and unique resources and
<br />ecosystems (i.e. floodplains, marshes,
<br />high quality forests, scenic land features,
<br />unique geologic features, scarce ecological
<br />associations, wildlife species/habitats, severe
<br />slopes.)
<br />Unpaved trails, limited interpretive trails
<br />(including boardwalks)
<br />Development Suitability Table
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