B. Parks Facility Needs Analysis
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone: 952.227.1100
Fax: 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone: 952.227.1180
Fax: 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone: 952.227.1160
Fax: 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone: 952.227.1140
Fax: 952.227.1110
Park & Recreation
Phone: 952.227.1120
Fax: 952.227.1110
Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone: 952.227.1400
Fax: 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone: 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone: 952.227.1300
Fax: 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone: 952.227.1125
Fax: 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
B
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
FROM:
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Commission
~~
DATE:
August 27, 2007
SUBJ:
Facility Needs Analysis for Parks Including Land Acquisition
The Park and Recreation Department is currently engaged in the process of
updating the park and recreation section of the city's comprehensive plan. We
are working closely with the Community Development Department on this
initiative in addition to calling upon the services of the Hoisington-Koegler
Group, one of the city's long-time park planning consultants.
The initial findings of this work confirm what we know already and point to
some very specific future needs in the area of park acquisition. Chanhassen's park
and recreation system is a source of community identity and pride and greatly
contributes to resident's quality of life. The City has historically placed a strong
emphasis on parks and recreation. In the 2007 Citizen Survey, recreational
opportunities were one of the three highest rated characteristics of Chanhassen.
System History
The City's park and recreation system is the result of almost 40 years of planning and
city and citizen commitment. In addition to adding parks and trails to the system in
conjunction with development, the community has supported major initiatives for park
improvements throughout the years.
Key dates:
1969 - The voters pass the city's first bond referendum for parks resulting in the
acquisition of Lake Ann Park; the beginning of the neighborhood park system of tot lots
and ball fields; and preserving much of the community character that residents still
enjoy today.
1988 - The voters pass a bond referendum for phase two of Lake Ann Park and the
purchase of park lands in the southern half of the City.
1996 - The voters pass a bond referendum for the acquisition and improvement of the
park system resulting in: improvements in 18 parks system-wide; the construction of
Bandimere Community Park; the reconstruction of City Center Park; preservation of
over 40 acres of open space; and 7 miles of new community trails.
The City 01 Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play.
Mr. Todd Gerhardt
August 27, 2007
Page 2
Existing Park and Recreation System
Today, Chanhassen's park and recreation needs are met by a combination of city parks, school district
facilities, and private facilities, recreation programs sponsored by numerous agencies, city trails and
sidewalks, regional parks as well as private golf courses (see existing facilities map).
Existing City Parks
Existing parks fall into four classifications: neighborhood parks, community parks, special use parks, and
preserves.
Community Parks
Chanhassen currently has 5 community parks. Bandimere Park in the southern part ofthe City, City
Center Park adjacent to City Hall, Chanhassen Recreation Center/Bluff Creek Elementary School in the
central part of the City, all have an emphasis on active recreation with soccer and ball fields as well as
play areas and picnicking. Lake Susan Park and Lake Ann Park also have an emphasis on active
recreation as well as public lake access. These facilities total 229 acres.
Neighborhood Parks
There are currently 23 neighborhood parks totaling 188 acres throughout the City and 22 of these are city
owned and operated. Cathcart Park is located within Chanhassen and acts as a neighborhood park for
residents north of Lake Minnewashta, but is owned and operated by the City of Shorewood.
Special Use Parks
Olson Community Garden is the city's sole special use park. The garden is at the comer of Kerber
Boulevard and Santa Vera Drive and is a Yz acre with lO'xlO' garden plots that are rented to residents
annually. The gardens are extremely popular and are filled to capacity each year.
Preserves
The City currently has 440 acres of open space protected in 12 preserve parks. These areas encompass
much of the Bluff Creek Corridor as well as other treasured wetland and wooded areas.
Assessing Future Needs
Population
Demand for parks and recreation is closely linked to population. The City is predicted to add 7,886
households and increase in population by 17,679 between the years 2000 and 2020. This increase in
population will result in an increase in park and trail needs overall.
Mt
1'13 C
"I P
IfF
ts
e ropo I n ouncl opu a Ion orecas
Year Population Households
1990 11732 4016
2000 20321 6194
Growth Forecasts
2010 27500 10200
2020 34500 12800
2030 38000 15600
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Mr. Todd Gerhardt
August 27, 2007
Page 3
Population standards act as a general guideline for number of acres of park land per one thousand people.
These standards are one method of assessing needs and are applied to both neighborhood and community
park lands. Preserve areas are not assessed since these areas typically encompass natural features which
vary greatly from community to community and no standard exists. Chanhassen's standard is 5
acres/l,OOO people for neighborhood parks and 7 acres/l,OOO people for community parks. Applying
these standards shows that the city currently has enough parkland to meet anticipated needs through 2010,
that by 2020 there will be a 12 acre shortfall in community park space, and by 2030 a 37 acre shortfall in
community park space and a 2 acre shortfall in neighborhood park space.
Future Park Needs Based on Population Standards
Standard Ye8.r2010 Year 2020 Year 2030
Acres/ Estimated Estimated
1,000 ~ Acreage Surplus/ Acreage Surplus/ Existing Surplus/
Component people Acres* Needed Shortfall Needed Shortfall Acres Shortfall
Neighborhood
Park 5 188 137.5 50.5 172.5 15.5 190 -2
Comrnunity
Park 7 229 192.5 36.5 241.5 -12.5 266 -37
* includes shared school/park sites
Age is also an indicator of what types of recreation facilities will be needed. Youth tend to participate in
organized athletics while older people are more interested in trail oriented activities such as biking, in-line
skating, jogging and walking. Year 2000 U.S. Census data for the city shows large segments of our
population under age 19 and between ages 30-50, indicating a prevalence of families with children.
Year 2000 US Census
PI' b A
opu atlon >y ~qe
Aqe Year 2000
Under 5 2020
5-9 2227
1 0-19 3086
20-29 1492
30-39 4291
40-49 4006
50-59 1860
60-69 750
70-79 447
80+ 142
Total Population 20321
As these populations age, the City will likely continue to see the demand for youth sports and more
passive activities such as trails and natural areas increase. In addition, assuming that much of the
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Mr. Todd Gerhardt
August 27, 2007
Page 4
forecasted new population growth will be young families with children, demand for active recreation
facilities will remain strong.
Park Service Areas (see park service area map)
Community Parks
Community Parks typically serve a 1-2 mile area. Chanhassen's 5 community parks are
distributed throughout the City and the majority of residents live within an easy drive or bike of a
community park.
Neighborhood Parks
Chanhassen uses the standard that most residents should live within walking distance of a neighborhood
park. Walking distance is measured by a V2 mile radius free of barriers such as major roads and large
water bodies. Because community parks often act as neighborhood parks for the people living in close
proximity, a V2 mile radius is applied to both neighborhood and community parks to identify any gaps in
service. Areas highlighted in yellow are existing or planned future neighborhoods that have gaps in
servIce.
Two of these areas; Arboretum Village and Pinehurst at Lake Harrison contain land already purchased for
neighborhood parks but awaiting development. A third, the large area of future residential land located
across west of Bandimere Park will be able to access Bandimere Park with the planned addition of an
underpass at this location. Notable gaps in neighborhood park service include substantial areas within the
developing 2005 MUSA area and the future residential neighborhood at the northwest comer of Lake
Riley. In order to maintain the V2 mile service radius in these areas, additional neighborhood parklands
will need to be acquired.
South of Pioneer Trail, rural development patterns are dominant. Though this area is not well served by
neighborhood parks, the low population densities coupled with ownership of large lots, on which
residents often build facilities suited to their individual needs (small play structures, basketball hoops,
pools, tennis courts, horses, open space, etc.) make the need for neighborhood parks in this area low.
Preserves
Preserve areas are located where there are important natural resources that should be protected. One of
the main initiatives of the 2020 comprehensive plan was to preserve open spaces. As a result of these
efforts, the city now has 440 acres of natural areas in preserves and has protected much of the Bluff Creek
Corridor. There are a few key important and treasured natural areas in the city that remain unprotected.
These include: some areas within the Bluff Creek Corridor; the west shore of Lake Ann; and the
Seminary Fen.
Summary of Anticipated Needs
Based on analysis of the existing system, anticipated population growth, the 2030 Land Use Plan, and
current demographic, lifestyle, and recreation trends, the following observations can be made regarding
future park needs:
. Based on anticipated population growth, there will be more demand for parks and recreation of all
kinds. Though the city currently has enough community park space to meet current needs, by
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Mr. Todd Gerhardt
August 27, 2007
Page 5
2020 there will be an almost 40-acre shortfall in community park space. This indicates the need
to look for opportunities to expand existing community parks and/or to search for an additional
community park site of about 40 acres with a focus on active sports and athletic fields.
. Based on both population growth land use patterns, additional neighborhood parks will be needed
in a few key locations. These should be built along with residential development.
. Demographic and recreation trends indicate that there will continue to be interest in expanding
the city's trail system for both recreation, fitness and bicycle/walking proposes.
. Lifestyle trends such as active living, increased interest in recreation programs, environmental
awareness, and aging population will influence the types of amenities and programs the city will
be called upon to provide over the next 25 years.
. The City should look to incorporating facilities into its system: emerging sports such as disc golf
and lacrosse; and additional community garden space.
. Increased interest in places for passive recreation, open space protection and environmental
education and sustainability all support the need for continued city leadership in protecting
Chanhassen's remaining important natural areas.
. Interest in creating an arts council and community theater should be explored.
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