02-26-07 Item 4B, Resolution 07-32 DNR Trail Support

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In 2002, the City of Arden Hills completed a Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan, which is available on the City's website at www.ci.arden-hills.mn.us.This plan recognizes that Arden Hills is divided by many major roads, highways and railroads. These transportation corridors provide excellent regional vehicular access and mobility, but they separate neighborhoods and pedestrians from parks, schools, libraries, and recreation. Trail connections are needed to tie the City together, create a comprehensive system of parks and trails, improve safety and enhance the sense of community. Since 2002, the City of Arden Hills' Parks, Trails, Recreation Committee has been in the process of updating its comprehensive plan, and has prioritized identified trail linkages within the city that are proposed within the next twenty years. In November of2006, the Arden Hills City Council approved a Vision and Strategies for Parks, Trails, Recreation, and Community Building (also available on our website). This vision states: Parks and Trails in Arden Hills enhance the health and well being of citizens, improve the value of citizens' property, and increase the desirability ofthe city as a place to live or work. The City's parks and trails comprise a coherent network that: *Provides land and water-based recreation, as well as convenient and safe access to parks, trails, and recreation facilities in the region; *Develops and maintains a system of neighborhood parks and trails; *Encourages non-motorized transportation and commuting; *Supports and encourages access to lakes, marshes, and wooded areas; *Provides connections between the portions of Arden Hills south of Highway 96 and new development to the north, as well as among other neighborhoods separated by roads; *Provides important resources to schools, colleges, employers, and other organizations in the region; and *Strengthens community among citizens. This vision can only be achieved with the leadership of the City Council and the support of the community. This leadership and support are critical to generating the financial resources necessary to develop, operate and maintain Arden Hills' parks and trails. The Comprehensive Plan and Strategies address trail segments that are needed to connect the community to parks, schools, libraries, and recreation. The proposed trail from Perry Park to the existing trails leading to Tony Schmidt Regional Park is listed as a top priority (trail #2 of Strategies) within those strategies. Ramsey County Parks and Recreation recently completed the trail from Tony Schmidt Regional Park under the railroad tracks (underpass), connecting to an existing arterial trail that leads to the proposed Perry Park trail to the southwest and to County Road E2 to the north. As part of the Tony Schmidt Master Plan, the County has proposed to extend this trail from County Road E2 into Ramsey County Open Space, past the Arden Hills Library to Mounds View High School (see attachment G: Tony Schmidt Development Map), once again connecting parks, schools, libraries, and recreation within our community. Completion of these trail connections will demonstate the City's and County's commitment to providing safe links for biking and walking opportunities in our communities. Page 8