03-12-07 Item 7A1, Resolution 07-36 Tony Schmidt Park Master Plan

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II. STEWARDSHIP PLAN Much of the park is currently developed for recreational use. The majority of the undevelDped areas are wetland. Other undeveloped areas are managed as natural areas, with Dpportunities for trail access. The St. Paul and Ramsey CDunty Public Health Department does operate one of its yard waste sites in the western part of the park (see Conflicts map). This is an interim use until such time as that part of the park is developed. Development of that area of the park will not occur until parcel #1 is acquired. No revenue is derived from this use; however, the St. Paul and Ramsey County's Public Health Department, which manages the site, finances all recycling and waste removal services fDr the Parks and Recreation Department. III. DEMAND FORECAST The service area of the park includes the northwestern part of Ramsey County (Arden Hills, New Brighton, Mounds View, Shoreview and Roseville). Northeastern Hennepin CDunty (St. Anthony, and northeast MinneapDlis) and sDuthern Anoka County (Columbia Heights and Fridley). The 2005 Regional Park Visit Estimate Report found that the park had 287,300 visitors that year. Fifty-one percent of the park's use is from people who live outside of greater Ramsey CDunty as determined by a 2004 survey. After cDmpletion Dfthe beach, picnic areas and boat access in 2000, the greatest demand for the park is completion of the trail system. A significant increase in trail use is anticipated as the trail system will have cDnnections to residential neighborhoods, two schoDls, a city park, library and cDllege, as well as providing trail experiences for park visitors. Based on 2005 regional park visits for regiDnal trails in Ramsey County, it is anticipated that these trails will serve an additiDnal 75,000- 100,000 visitors per year. IV. DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT Tony Schmidt Regional Park includes Y. mile of shoreline on the nDrth side of Lake JDhanna, a 230-acre lake. A wetland cDrridor fDllDWS the drainage way from Lake Johanna nDrthwestward tD Long Lake. These wetlands are surrounded by steep wooded hills. Ramsey County has Dperated a swimming beach, boat launch and picnic area on the north side of Lake Johanna since the Driginal 34-acre property was acquired as a cDunty park in 1958. Additional acreage was acquired with CDunty funds in the 1970s, bringing the total acreage up to the present 217.28 acres. The additional acreage provides opportunities for an excellent trail system that enables connection to neighbDrhDods, schools, city parks and library.