Laserfiche WebLink
t2eport on Pending Improvements <br /> Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve <br /> Introduction <br /> Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve is the largest Regional Park in Anoka County with a total land mass of 2,550 acres. The park is situated along a <br /> "greenway corridor" extending from the intersecfion of I-35W and Hardwood Creek in northeast Lino Lakes to Hodgson Road in southwest Lino Lakes. The park lies <br /> adjacent to nine water bodies and includes numerous state designated wetlands. The park contains several archeological sites, a large heron rookery, several nadve <br /> prairie areas, and some unique "big woods" habitats. <br /> The park was acquired during the 1970's and 80's. Most of the acquisfion costs were paid for through the Metropolitan Park and Open Space Program. The majority <br /> of acquisfion is now complete with the County recentiy acquiring 11 Q acres from the City of Lino Lakes through a land exchange program. <br /> The park is currently classified as a Regional Park Reserve by the Metropolitan Council. This designation means that no more than 20% of total park acreage can be <br /> developed for recreation faalfies. The remaining 80% is designated as a natural area for resource protection. Cu�rent facilities include the 18 hole Chomonix Golf Course, <br /> Wargo Nature Center, Rice Creek family campgrounds, swimming beach and boat launch on Centerville Lake, and limited trails and picnic areas. Annual park use <br /> includes appro�mately 20,000 visitors to the Wargo Nature Center, 25,000 <br /> school children attending the AEC sponsored "Outdoor Heritage" lab, 120,000 <br /> general park visitors, and over 42,000 players at Chomonix Golf Course. —� I <br /> Operation and maintenance of the park is through the Anoka County Parks and �Y �' � <br /> Recreation Depafinent. �. c,A►,a�o Iw�+�� ���' -- � ;� N <br /> � Piew�� SN�S. o00 �� <br /> a ° ° c +� <br /> Planned Improvements � � o � � <br /> � 4aoac P�� o 0 <br /> In July of this year, Anoka County was awarded $1.684 million in grant funds O��, °�°�� •�...� o GEORGE WATCH PLAKER <br /> for the next phase of improvements to the park. Funding is being provided �� ° i--°°°°o �A►� �•+ <br /> through the 1998 Minnesota State Bond Appropriafions, Minnesota �����,,, o Q <br /> Environmental Trust Fund, and Metropolitan Council Bonds. �,- MaRSf+aN <br /> 0 0 �rVRE'1�,AY_5 � LAKE <br /> The grant will provide for the following improvements at the park: �'� ' •°. ,� � �NLAKE�LLE � CITY OF <br /> . <br /> CEWTERVtLLE <br /> 3-4 mites of new paved bicycle trails � S� oo �o � �•�• � o ° � Gn ,�, �� <br /> • large group picnic pavilion / family picnic areas m° 4 / •. ..•' �.,��K <br /> . RICE o ��NN�� o <br /> swimming beach improvements (on Centenrille Lake) i.n� o /" CITY OK � o � ;-- <br /> • new bathhouse%oncessions/visitor center faciliry - o' Lf IJO LAKES �—° j�` <br /> • paving of interior roads and parking lot q�y�� ,; o , M�� , <br /> • boat launch u rades and new car/trailer rkin lot o °0 �SHADOW LAKE <br /> Pfl Pa 9 ClR�"G� '. � , Q � �`. - - � , oRnrt wesr <br /> • new campground amphitheater � o a °,r RICE CREEK CHAIN OF LAKES <br /> • children creative play structure (near beach/picnic area) B�RCH sr REGIONAL PARK RESERVE <br /> ��N PHASEIDEVELOPMENT <br /> LAKE <br /> Page 1 <br />