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

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~ ~HlLLS MEMORANDUM DATE: March 6, 2007 AGENDA ITEM: 7 A.I TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator FROM: Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager --rnCD SUBJECT: Resolution 07-36: Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan BACKGROUND In 1998, Ramsey County undertook an extensive planning process with a Citizens' Task Force to prepare a master plan for Tony Schmidt County Park. At that time, the County began a phased redevelopment of the park. In 2000, the first phase of that plan was implemented with redevelopment of the swimming beach, boat launch, picnic area, playground area, and associated roads and parking lots. On June 23, 2001, the City of Arden Hills celebrated its 50th anniversary at Tony Schmidt County Park in combination with the County's grand reopening of the park. In addition to the facilities redeveloped, the main emphasis of the 1998 plan was an extensive trail system. The majority of that trail system remains to be developed. However, in 2006, the trail underpass under the Canadian Pacific Railroad and connecting trails were installed. Completion of the trail system will be the focus of future development within Tony Schmidt Regional Park. On June 29, 2005, the Metropolitan Council adopted its 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan that identifies Tony Schmidt Park as an addition to the regional park system. As part of the process of converting this park to a regional park, the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department prepared a Tony Schmidt Regional Master Plan Draft in December of 2006. Local review and approval is the next step in this process. Ramsey County Parks and Recreation presented the Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan to the Arden Hills Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee (PTRC) on Thursday, February 22, 2007. After the committee review of the plan and discussion on trail priorities at that meeting, Ramsey County suggested and agreed to one minor change to the plan. The County suggested that priority #3 and #4 be swapped on the list of future development projects. The PTRC recommended by motion that the City Council approve the Tony Schmidt Regional Master Plan with the one minor change on priorities suggested and agreed to by Ramsey County. The motion carried unanimously. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhiIls\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\Council Memos\Memo to cc re - Res 07-36 Approving the Tony Schmidt Regional Master Plan.doc