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Home My WebLink About03-12-07 Item 7A1, Resolution 07-36 Tony Schmidt Park Master Plan ~ ~HILLS Request for Council Action Prepared By: Dept.: Council Mtg. Date: Final Action Needed By: Michelle Olson -rncD Public Works "Marc!i'12;'2007 .. March 12;2ooi Agenda Item: 7A.1 Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: .... ....."."______ __..................."________ Motion to adopt Resolution 07.36: Resolution-ap-proving the Tony'-Schmidt RegiomiTPark Master pIan with one minor change of swapping[ priority #3 and #4 on the list of future development projects. ' t~Em?!Re:ifc5iDiji~]if!t!~I#~ilil3ful?~2Jill~1l~fil~_ ".........."".._" _ _ _ _ _ __.................""..'"'._" _ _______..._..._........."..._"."_ _ ______________..._..........."....".._"..""_"_____m_____n'___..."...."......_"_____n____n____........"........__.__n_______________...,_,.."."...""_.___________________,_,,_,,.,,,..... iAdopt Resolution Oi-36: Approving the"Tony-ffchmTdt RegionaTPark Master-Plan, with one minor change of swapping priority #3 and #4 on jthe list of future development projects. rPlanning: IPTRC: i 2/22107 ! Motion to recommend the'City Council adopt a Resolution approving the Tony' !Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan with one minor change of swapping !priority#3 and #4 on the list of future development projects, as suggested ... ..... _1!l_r:a_~__~,9,~~.~.~"_g_~__!>_Y,,~~.~,~.~_Y__9.g_~_~,~y'~..... x I Memo/Letter: Dated 3/6/07 from Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager X !Resolution No.: 07-36 Ordinance No.: Recommendation: Recommendation: X I Other: Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan ;~~~~l!f~~~~~~~~!i~~;~'f~!~~"ey....c.ou-nty'"Plirks...iinif'Recreat"l'ori-wnrbe""in-'attendance''''io--p-res"ent''the---M~istfir"'pjan---iind""to"'iinswer"'liny""-- questions. \\Metro-inet.us\ardenhills\PR&PW\Parks\Memos\CounciJ Actions\Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan - Action Form 03-12-07 .doc ~ ~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 Resolution 07-36: Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan Page 2 Larry Holmberg, representing Ramsey County Parks and Recreation will be in attendance to briefly present the plan and answer any questions. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends a motion to adopt Resolution 07-36: Approving the Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan with the one minor change of priority #3 and #4 being swapped on the list of future development projects. ~ ~HlLLS CITY OF ARDEN HILLS COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 07-36 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE RAMSEY COUNTY TONY SCHMIDT REGIONAL MASTER PLAN WHEREAS, 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; and WHEREAS, as part of the process of converting Tony Schmidt Park to a regional park, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation prepared the Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan; and WHEREAS, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation presented the Tony Schmidt Regional Master Plan to the City of Arden Hills Parks, Trails, and Recreation Committee on February 22, 2007 and that group made a motion to recommend the City Council approve the plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Arden Hills approved a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan in 2002 and Updated Strategies to this plan in 2006 that includes proposed future connections to proposed trails within the plan; and WHEREAS, the City of Arden Hills previously contributed $32,000 towards the construction of the railroad underpass trail; a key element to the cDmpletion of the trail system connecting north and south segments of the park; and WHEREAS, the proposed improvements within the plan will benefit the City of Arden Hills, Mounds View School District 621, and Ramsey County; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The City of Arden Hills approves the Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan and encourages Ramsey County to move forward on the listed trail and park enhancements. ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARDEN HILLS THIS 12TH DAY OF MARCH, 2007. Stanley D. Harpstead, MAYOR ATTEST: Michelle Wolfe, CITY ADMINISTRATOR \\Melro-inet.us\ardenhillslAdmin\Council\ResoluUonsI2007\07_36, Supporting the Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan.doc TONYSC~DTREGIONALPARK MASTER PLAN DRAFT Prepared by: Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department 2015 North Van Dyke Street Maplewood, MN December 2006 PREFACE The Metropolitan CDuncil's 2030 RegiDnal Parks PDlicy Plan as adopted on June 29, 2005, identified TDny Schmidt Park as a regional park additiDn to the regional park system. Ramsey County began acquiring land for the park in 1958 as Dne of several lake front County parks that provided facilities for swimming, picnicking and bDating. Over the years, the park area was expanded to 217 acres. In 1998, the County began a phased redevelopment Dfthe park, financed primarily through County general Dbligation bonds. Recent improvements tD the park include new entry roads, parking IDtS, bDat launch, swimming beach, paved trails, play areas, picnic shelters, gazebD and associated site amenities. The park has a long histDry Df serving the region, as verified by park user origin studies conducted in 2004. Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan - DRAFT 12/06 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. BOUNDARIES AND ACQUISITION ............................................ 1 II. STEWARDSHIP PLAN.... ....... ........ ...... ..... .... ..... ........... ......... ........ 3 III. DEMAND FORECAST .................................................................. 3 IV. DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT ......................................................... 3 V. CONFLICTS.................................................................................... 8 VI. PUBLIC SERVICES ........................................................................ 10 VII. OPERATIONS........................... ...................................................... 10 VIII. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ........................................................... 12 IX. PUBLIC AWARENESS .................................................................. 13 X. SPECIAL NEEDS............................................................................13 XI. NATURAL RESOURCES................................................................ 13 Tony Schmidt Regional Park Master Plan - DRAFT 12/06 ii I. BOUNDARIES AND ACQUISITION Tony Schmidt Regional Park is located in northwestern Ramsey CDunty in the City Df Arden Hills. The park is generally bDunded by Lake Johanna and County Road E on the south, Snelling Avenue on the east, CDunty Road F on the NDrth, and I-35W and New Brighton Road on the west. The park currently encompasses 217.28 acres. The Boundaries and Acquisition Map identifies properties to be incDrpDrated into the park. TWD additional parcels (#1 and #2 on the Boundaries and Acquisition Map) will add 4.61 acres, bringing the total park acreage within the park boundary tD 221.89. Additional areas owned by the City Df Arden Hills, Mounds View SChODl District and Ramsey County Libraries (parcels #3, #4 and #5 Dn the BDundaries and Acquisition Map) will be traversed to accommodate proposed trail connectiDns. Trail connections through these properties will be formalized with intergovernmental cooperative agreements. The entities who own these parcels have been involved in the master plan formulation and are cDnceptually supportive of the trail connections. FEE TITLE ACOUISITION Current Land Use Size 2006 est. market value Parcel #1 Parcel #2 Residential Residential 2.99 acres 1. 62 acres $276,500 $390,800 Note: Based on Ramsey CDunty Board policy, acquisition Dfparcels #1 and #2 will be on a "willing seller" basis, while owned by the current property owner. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS Parcel #3 - The Ramsey County Arden Hills Library is located where a proposed trail will crDSS in order to complete the west trail north ofCDunty Road E-2. Ramsey County Libraries has conceptually agreed tD allDw a trail across a portion the library site. Ramsey County Libraries has been evaluating alternative library sites that could result in relocation of the library. If the site is vacated in the future, a trail easement will be secured to assure perpetual trail access. Parcel #4 - This is part of the City of Arden Hills Perry Park. Through agreement, the City will allDw Ramsey County to construct a corridor trail across that portion of the lying park easterly of the wetland. The cDrridor trail will be lDcated on an existing utility road. The City will be permitted tD make local trail connections to the corridor trail in order tD facilitate access from adjacent neighborhoDds and parks. The master plan identifies a trail connectiDn to the active use areas Df Perry Park. Parcel #5 - This site is part of the Mounds View Senior High School property. An agreement will be negotiated with the MDunds View School District to allDw Ramsey County to construct a trail across a portion of the SChDDl property in order to complete the park trail system. The trail will provide benefit to the SChDOl by providing walking/bike access to the SChDDI as well as cross-country running and skiing for school teams. - - LEGEND . .#"'. ; l ""-' % . --~iiiijC !~ ~l " " p,' , ~ , Il ~~ . 6) 800- 1/'::1' , . ! f@, 1",,.11: J,-'@t ' i I I : .lo....-_,l ! ' ! \ \ .. . .. . .Acqu<S~lor> ;" g", ~.UseAg!,.,emffil:!. t-*,,::- Wel!ands CUJPli'kBaundali' E Tony Schmidt Regional Park MASTER PLAN - Boundaries and Acquisition :-1,OO'--lJ, ..rg.f~~ ~-:J-~ , ~-~-- ' \-' \~ Ramsey County Parks and RecreatiGn Department - 2006 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. In 1998, Ramsey CDunty undertDok an extensive planning process with a Citizens' Task Force appDinted by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and the Arden Hills City Council tD prepare a master plan for Tony Schmidt County Park. The Citizens' Task Force included a broad spectrum of people including representatives from the neighborhDod, the City of Arden Hills (Planning and Parks and Trails CommissiDn), SChODI District, as well as Ramsey County at large. In 2000, the first phase of that plan was implemented with redevelDpment of the swimming beach (with beach building), boat launch, picnic area (with two shelters and gazebo), playground area and associated roads and parking lots. Beach Building Pavilion Gazebo Paved trails including a "safe island" crosswalk on Lake JDhanna Boulevard, were added in the redevelDped area. Ramsey County funded the development in the amount Df $2,000,000, through the County's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) financed by general obligatiDn bDnds. In additiDn, the State Outdoor Recreation Grant Programs provided $250,000 for these improvements. In additiDn to the facilities redeveloped in 2000, the main emphasis of that 1998 plan was an extensive trail system, including a corridor trail between Lake J Dhanna BDulevard and County Road E-2. The majority of that trail system remains tD be develDped; however, in 2006, the trail underpass under the Canadian Pacific Railroad and connecting trails were installed. The Ramsey County CIP funded this $292,500 project along with a cDntributiDn Df$32,500 from the City Df Arden Hills. This underpass was key tD completion Df the trail system connecting north and south segments Df the park. Underpass The develDpment concept in this regional park master plan (see Development Concept Map) is consistent with the 1998 master plan. Completion of the trail system will be the fDCUS of future development. The table below summarizes the existing and proposed trail lengths. A future trail connection to Long Lake Regional Park Dne-half mile away is planned. BITUMINOUS TRAILS Existing within picnic area Proposed main nDrth-south trail Lake JDhanna Blvd. To Co. Rd. E-2 Co. Rd. E-2 to Lake Valentine Rd. Proposed off road Lake Johanna Blvd. TOTAL PAVED TRAILS UNPAVED TURF TRAILS Existing West Farrel's Lake 10Dp TOTAL UNPAVED TRAILS LENGTH 1. 0 mile 0.7 mile 0.7 mile 0.6 mile 3.0 miles 0.6 mile 0.8 mile 1. 4 miles The future recreation development area in the southwest corner of the park is a lower priority. The residential in-holding (Parcel #1) will have to be acquired and the yard waste site relocated before this area is available fDr development. RecreatiDnal development in this area will include a grDUp picnic area, disk golf, winter sledding and day camp. The following development CIP lists 2006 costs and timing/priority: PriDritv 1 2 3 4 5 Proiect Pave the north-south bituminous trail from Lake Johanna Boulevard to CDunty Road E-2. CDnstruct the north-south bituminous trail, including bridges/bDardwalk Dn the east side of Farrel's Lake wetland complex from County Road E-2 to Lake Valentine Road (Mounds View High School). Construct non-paved trail, including bridges, on the west side of Farrel's Lake wetland complex. Construct off-road paved trail along the north side of Lake Johanna Blvd. Construct the sDuthwest recreatiDn area: parking lot, restrooms, grDup picnic area, disk golf, day camp. TOTAL Cost (2006 dollars) $ 150,000 $ 500,000 $ 450,000 $ 500,000 $1,000,000 $2,600,000 """" _.r_r:-_U - . 1---- . ,. l <t. ~ e ~ ~'~~1:;~~\\\ lit , , ~ l;<li\. , p ;..;"';;~ProposedRC'CreaOOl1keas Exisbng ReCfe;lliQn A...~a~ ~ 800' LEGEND !!I FishingPrcr a Swunnr.gBeilCl\ m PiI;tWArea E!l Boottaunch -E'isb~gf'3vroT!ai\$ --. Propo5e\lPave<iTr.llls -TurtT'ails --- Proposed Turf Trails -CnyTra,ls --. Prop:lsedOl','Trails t.:<i:tv.ellands c:---] Park80unda'Y Tony Schmidt Regional Park MASTER PLAN - Deve/opment CGnCept 11,---1": --r''t-l 1""*'1 \~, \\11 Ramsey County Parks and ReQreation Department - 2006 Conflicts are shown on the enclosed map. The cDnflicts include two large overhead electric pDwer lines, for which Xcel Energy hDlds easements. Neither is a physical impediment, however, they are highly visible frDm a pDrtiDn of the park. RelDcatiDn is nDt feasible. V. CONFLICTS Two at-grade street crossings are necessary for the trail system. The Dne on Lake Johanna BDulevard was addressed in the 2000 redevelDpment by adding a center "safety island" and visually identifying the crosswalk. The County RDad E-2 CfDssing will be evaluated/ designed when the trail is cDnstructed in this location. The Canadian Pacific Railroad presented a significant barrier separating the north and sDuth parts of the park. The installatiDn Df the trail underpass in 2006 eliminated this barrier for trail connectiDns tD the nDrth. However, the raised railroad grade still presents a visual barrier for views along the wetland corridor extending nDrthwesterly from Lake JDhanna. The Ramsey County yard waste site is a conflict in the sense that it is not a recreatiDnal use. HDwever, there is no actual cDnflict in that there is nD current recreational use in this area of the park and the site will be remDved when recreatiDnal development occurs. Overhead power lines-south park area Crosswalk-Lake JGhanna Blvd. ~oos_aIK """ , > .' I , ~ '>, ,~ '" '" 6) ~ "0 '!>. "0"'" "~*", I , # BOO' LEGEND '11 Il"" ~)RRCroSSir19 . Yard'N.lSlc-S~e ____ o.'erflead Pow", Lme -El<istlngPavedT(3'ls ---PrOpo$('dPa""'dTI<llIS TU<fTra,ls --- ProposedTurfT'3l1s -City Tra;ls - -. Pmp'sedC'tyTralls >:<\-;-;,;Wellands c:m]Pa,~BQlln<!<lry Tony Schmidt Regional Park MASTER PLAN - Conflicts ;-;[,-----1,J_; nrf~l ~..J...,J i C:~-. .J \-' \,~ Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department - 2006 VI. PUBLIC SERVICES All public services, i.e., roads, sewers, water, electric are in place to provide for the development proposed in this Master Plan. VII. OPERATIONS The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has adopted an "Ordinance for Control and Management of Open Space Areas and Facilities Under the Jurisdiction of the Board of Ramsey County Commissioners." The Ordinance shall govern the conduct of the public during use of the regional park, its facilities and resources. The Dperation and maintenance of the regional park will be the responsibility of the Ramsey County Parks and RecreatiDn Department. Operation and maintenance services will be provided at a level that is appropriate for the designated use and consistent with the current level Df development. 1. Operation RespDnsibilities - provision of personnel and equipment necessary or incidental to serve park users and implement resource management activities and outdDor recreatiDn programs. The following operational services will be provided by Ramsey County: a. Access ContrDl- The Ramsey County Sheriff will be responsible fDr enforcement of park hours as stated in the ordinance. (One-halfhDur before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset). b. Park Site (general) - The Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department will provide first aid, lifeguard services and security throughDut all areas of the park. Ramsey County will provide Ordinance enforcement and general police services through its Sheriff s Department. Park Department personnel will supplement the regular Sheriffs Department patrol to help educate and direct the public in the appropriate uses of the park. 2. Maintenance responsibilities - The Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department will provide of personnel, materials and equipment necessary or incidental to the maintenance of resources, structures and facilities of the regional park. This includes regular and routine maintenance, as well as life cycle maintenance. Specific regular and routine maintenance includes: a. Tree maintenance (includes diseased tree control) b. Turf maintenance c. Litter pick-up and dispDsal d. Pavement sweeping and repair (includes parking lots and paved trails) e. Snow plowing (includes parking lots and trails) f. Beach life guard services g. Site furnishings (picnic tables, grills) h. Sign maintenance i. Natural reSDurce management j. Playground inspection and repair k. Boat launch 1. Buildings repair; beach, picnic shelters, restrDDms and gazebD Annual Ooerations and Maintenance Costs (2006 dollars) Turf maintenance Tree inspectiDn, maintenance, removal Litter pick-up and disposal Parking IDt repair/maintenance Restroom/picnic shelter/beach building maintenance And repair Trail maintenance Sign maintenance Natural resource management Lifeguard services SnDW plDwing Security Utilities TOTAL Ooerations and Maintenance Funds $ 15,000 3,000 22,000 12,000 33,000 8,000 1,000 5,000 32,000 4,000 3,000 8.000 $146,000 Funding for regular and routine maintenance and operations Df the park is appropriated from CDunty tax revenue supplemented by regional operation and maintenance funds. Life cycle maintenance is implemented according to the County's Capital Asset Management Plan. Regional Park elements of this plan are financed with State appropriations through the IDttery in lieu of a sales tax portiDn of the Regional Park Operations and Maintenance Program. Ramsey County manages these funds in a Regional Park and Trail Rehabilitation Account. Park Fees By Ramsey County policy, there are no user fees for general use of the park and facilities. There is a fee for rental Dfthe picnic shelter and pavilion, Food and beverage items are available from vending machines located in the beach building. Revenues from these activities help fund park operations. 1. Police - The Ramsey County Sheriffs Department provides the necessary police service (i.e., law enforcement, security, facility lock-up and fust aid for park safety) . Water Duality Monitoring The County performs weekly water quality sampling at the beach area throUghDut the beach season. A protocol has been established for follow-up monitoring and beach closure/opening based on pre-established thresholds for water quality indicators. Safety 2. Fire - The Lake Johanna Fire Department provides the necessary fue protectiDn services for the park. 3. Ambulance - Emergency ambulance service, when needed, are dispatched by the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department. Disease ContrDI 1. Human and Animal- Ramsey County and the City of Arden Hills have responsibilities for human and animal disease control. The St. Paul and Ramsey County Public Health Department will have the primary responsibility for human as well as animal health problems. The City will continue tD provide the services in animal cDntrol that they presently provide. 2. Plant Disease Control- the Ramsey CDunty Parks and Recreation Department will be responsible for plant disease cDntrol (i.e., Dutch elm and oak wilt disease) and noxious weed control. VIII. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Extensive citizen participation took place when the 1998 county park master plan was prepared for this park. All major elements of the county park master plan have been incorporated intD the regional park master plan. This regional park Master Plan was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Commission and the Arden Hills Trails, Parks and Recreation Commission. The Master Plan was approved by the City of Arden Hills City Council and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. IX. PUBLIC AWARENESS This park has been operated as a County Park for over 50 years. Patrons have been attracted tD the area for boating, fishing, swimming and picnicking. User surveys show that it has a regional draw. The name will be changed from "county" to "regional" on signs, brochures and the County's web site. The park is the venue for the City Df Arden Hills annual community celebration, is the host site for YMCA day camps and a number of other special events. X. SPECIAL NEEDS All facilities will be developed with accessibility in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. XI. NATURAL RESOURCES Natural Resources Inventorv The Minnesota Land CDver Classification System (MLCCS) inventory was conducted in 2005 by the Rice Creek Watershed District. The entire park is within the Rice Creek Watershed District. The inventory shDwed a highly altered upland habitat and relatively low diversity wetlands. The following map identifies each of the MLCCS coverage areas within Tony Schmidt Regional Park. Please refer to the reference number (C Num) illustrating the following areas: CDVerage Number Description 32160 32170 32210 32230 32240 42110 42120 42130 52430 61610 62140 62310 Aspen forest Altered/non-native deciduous forest Floodplain forest Aspen forest - temporarily flooded Altered/non-native temporarily flooded deciduous forest Aspen woodland Oak woodland-brush land Altered/non-native deciduous woodland Willow swamp Cattail marsh - semi-permanently flooded Grassland with sparse deciduous trees - altered/non-native dominated vegetation Altered/non-native grassland with sparse deciduous trees - temporarily flooded Palustrine open water 93300 790 9 CWD_MLCC C_NUM _ 32160 _ 32170 _ 32210 1_ 32220 _ 32230 _ 32240 _42110 _ 42120 _ 42130 _ 52430 _61610 _ 62140 _ 62310 93300 Tony Schmidt Regional Park MLCCS COVERAGE HabitatlVegetatiDn Management The natural vegetation of Tony Schmidt Regional Park was Dak WDDds, scattered savannas and extensive wetlands. Much Dfthe natural habitat is higWy degraded. Invasive species have becDme widespread. The most troublesome species are buckthorn and garlic mustard. Power lines are a continual problem because Dfthe severe vegetatiDn management used by the utility cDmpany. The railroad severely altered the wetland flowage when the rail link was cDnstructed over 75 years ago. Current vegetatiDn includes the natural habitats and planted prairies, oldfield and turf. Oak savanna restoration Ongoing vegetatiDn management activities include buckthorn remDval and prescribed burns Dfthe planted prairie. Invasive species, especially black locust, are controlled Dn a variety of habitats with herbicides and biD-control. The bio-control effDrts are done in partnership with the MinnesDta Department Df Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Natural ResDurces, The Dak wDods are being managed to cDntain and control oak wilt. Wetlands/Ground Water Storm water management was designed tD reduce runoff intD wetlands. Ramsey County works with Rice Creek Watershed District to reduce run Dff. All appropriate erosion preventiDn measures are taken during development projects. Ground water protectiDn measures include the sealing Df all wells during redevelopment. All facilities are connected tD sanitary sewer. The follDwing maps provide an aerial view, topography and propDsed vegetation for Tony Schmidt Regional Park (pages 16, 17 and 18). ~--- 9 790' LEGEND -El(i'(,tingPaved Trai!!;. --.f'<opo$edpawdTrl!iIll -~~-T...lfTratl$ .---PropooedTulfTralls -CrtyTrails --.Pro~dCjtvTf8iIS !i FlshngPle' g SWimtirlJBeach iii PicnioArea B8031Lao.mct1 [:-:-njP3lkSollndIllY , ~ ~ :r;----t: n~'t-J II i 1 ~ '....., , (--- , \...- \.,~ Tony Schmidt Regional Park MASTER PLAN - Aerial Photo Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department - 2006 LEGEND ""'" Mounds View High School t ~~ , Q r"" BOO' D } -8<lstingPavedTratfs. ---ProposedPaVf!dTrails -TlltfTmils ---Proposll'dTwfTtall$ -OtyTra;[s --'Propo&CdCityTraIIS ;,-~.J-.~~ 'NeIlan-:-... C~=lPar1lBollndary Tony Schmidt Regional Park MASTER PLAN - Topography :-1,U---1"-: u~...LJ ~ t: , +-;' , ' .... ' 1 , , t'-..-- . \-. \'" Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department - 2006 ~ RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT '. BMmMcsicWoodS rtBOakwoods MPinePlanlalion f.W;~ Mixed Woods i~.1oldneld Prairie ~......."'_ Tamarack Uji Shrub Swamp IRIWetlandS MowedArea r.-:-n]Pa'k6ollndary CC'J Mounds View High School l l . ,,"', ~ '<,,- '- "'. '., f@J...'..... 1t e 800' LEGEND Proposed Vegetation Tony Schmidt Regional Park NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MAP ,r-----'.J.-, iT./,' --rr"~ : " : ~{14--.&-.{14"": '11-"' , y-r\4J1 Ramsey County, MN March 2006 Werland Corridor Wildlife The park hosts a diverse variety of wildlife, The park has a variety of nesting songbirds, waterfowl and raptors. Nest boxes are provided for wood ducks and eastern bluebirds, Larger mammals include white-tailed deer, coyotes, red fox and raccoons, There are no threatened or endangered species of plants or animals located in the park. Deer populations are annually surveyed, If needed, the deer herd will be managed with special hunts under the Ramsey County Cooperative Deer Management Plan in partnership with Arden Hills. The Canada goose population is marginally controlled through lake shoreline management and periodic removal of birds prior to flight. Migratory birds have no natural predators and continue to pose a sanitation problem, Minnesota Ecological Classification Tony Schmidt Regional Park is mainly within the St. Paul-Baldwin Plains subsection of the Minnesota Ecological Classification System. There is a small portion of the park on the western and southwestern edges that fall into the Anoka Sand Plain subsection, The following map illustrating the Minnesota ecological region subsections for Tony Schmidt Regional Park. 790 Q I Feet Legend SUBSECNAME _ Anoka Sand Plain _ St. Paul-Baldwin Plains Tony Schmidt Regional Park MINNESOTA ECOLOGICAL REGIONS SUB-SECTIONS