2001-04-04 Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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EXECUTIVE SUMIVIARY: REGIONAL RECREATION OPEN SPACE POLICY PLAN Finance Issues and Poiicies A new Policy Directive (B-9) directs the Council to work with the regional park implementing agencies, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association and other nonprofit arganizations to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of creating a park/trail land acquisition fund endowment. The endowment would be composed of private donations and managed by a private nonprofit organization. The endowment could provide private sector funds as a match to public sector funds and/or provide upfront financing to acquire iand until public sector funds are appropriated. The policy on visitor fees (Policy B-12) was modified. New language directs that no discriminatory user fees on the basis on residence shall be charged for regional park system facilities that have ar will receive state and/or regional funds. Recreation Activities and Facilities Issues and Policies The issue of athletic complexes in regional parks was discussed and determined to be inappropriate for development on regional park system lands. Off-road vehicle (ORV) use, '� defined as all-terrain vehicles, off-road-motorcycles and 4-wheel drive vehicles being used off of designated roads, was determined to be inappropriate in regional parks, park reserves and regional trails because it would adversely impact both existing recreational activities and the natural environment (Issue C-1). Planning Issues and Policies Master plan requirements for parks were expanded to include a natural resource component. Speci�cally, the master plan will include a natural resource inventory, projects/proposals to restore degraded natural resources and maintain high-quality resources, information on how surface �vater and �,�rotmdwater resources in the park unit will be protected, and a vegetative I management plan (Issue D-1). � A policy on marketing and information collaboration was added (Policy D-4). The policy directs � the Council ancl Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission to collabarate with the regional park implementing agencies to provide information to the public on the benefits and facilities offered by the regional park system. A new policy directive to promote greater cross-jurisdictional communieation and planning among recreation and natural resource providers was added. Policy Directive D-5 directs the Council to work towards further developing cominunications and information sharing among public outdoor recreation resource providers and natural resource managers at all levels in the metropolitan area. A new policy that reflects the Council's Smart Growth agenda was added. Policy D-6 acknowledges the regional park system as being eYemplary of the principles of Smart Gro�vth, and directs the Council to continue to foster information sharing, communication and cross- discipline planning to maintain and improve the integration of the regional park system with housing, transportation and other concerns at the local and regional levels. An existing open space policy directive found in the Regional Blueprint was added to the park poIicy plan. Policy Directive D-7 provides six action items that will promote open space at both the regional and local levels. It includes language that directs the Council to protect water resources, agricultural lands and geologic resources. It also directs the Council to utilize open space as a component of pedestrian-friendly and transit oriented mixed-use urban development, 4