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6b Update RecSection ofCompPlan/: CITYOF CHANHASSEN 612. 9.~ q 1900 MEMORANDUM TO: Park and Recreation Commission FROM: Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director DATE: March 18, 1998 SUB J: Update of City's Comprehensive Plan; Park and Open Space Section The City's Planning Department is engaged in the process of updating the City's Comprehensive Plan. The attached draft section was authored by the Planning Department. Please read the document, making comments as go. My hope is that we can discuss commissioner comments on Tuesday night and note any agreed upon amendments. These changes will then be made prior to a final review by the Commission. g:\park\th\CompPlanUpdate P&RCMem The G0, of Cha~h,~sseu. A growing com~m,:O, with de~, /,'~kc3, q~,di0 sd, ods, a ch~:~(~ dommow~, thrivi,& busi,esses, a~d bcat~t~d ?~rks. ,4 ~gm~t ?[~:c to Ih'c, ~:orl:. ,~,d vial,: PARK AND OPEN SPACE INTRODUCTION The quality and number of recreational facilities in a community directly contributes to the quality of life. For this reason, the City of Chanhassen places a strong emphasis on parks and open space. As the City of Chanhassen has developed and increased in population, more pressure and attention has been given to providing recreational opportunities for our residents. Increased leisure time, health awareness, greater mobility and higher disposable incomes have all contributed to the increased demand for recreational activities. The challenge of the next century will be to provide facilities for a growing and diverse population. Parks can be defined as public areas that provide active or passive oriented recreational facilities. A significant characteristic of park land is its accessibility to its users. Open space is any parcel that is not used for buildings or other structures and is left in a natural state. Parks and open space perform three functions: meet physical and psychological needs, enhance and protect the resource base and enhance real estate values and provide a positive impact on economic development. PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLANNING Open space, in its broadest terms, refers to any parcel that is left in its natural state. The property could be utilized for recreational purposes or simply to maintain a natural environment. An example of recreational open space is the Lake Ann Park, whereas, the National Wildlife Refuge is open space that aims to preserve the natural environment and its habitat. There are numerous factors involved in park and open space planning such as existing regional, local and private facilities, demographics and funding. The demographic structure determines the types of recreational facilities in a community. For instance, a young population would warrant the construction of more active recreational facilities. Parks and Open Space - Acquisition and Regulation The City obtains land for recreational purposes in one of the following manners: acquisition or regulation. Acquisition refers to obtaining land through easements, condemnation, donation or purchase. The trails are constructed in easements. The second means of obtaining land is through regulation or the zoning and subdivision ordinance. The subdivision ordinance states that the developer shall dedicate land for parks, playgrounds, public open space and trails and/or shall make a cash contribution to the City's park fund and trail fund (Section 18-79). The planned unit development (PUD) ordinance also encourages the preservation of open space and sensitive land. For instance, 100 acres of environmentally sensitive land was dedicated in the Arboretum Business Park. In addition, the Bluff Creek Overlay District will ensure that ecologically sensitive features and open space will be preserved. Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 2 Park Fees The subdivision ordinance also permits the City to require fees in lieu of a donation or easement for the park and trail system. These fees are paid with the other subdivision fees and the remainder is paid at the time of building permit issuance. FACILITY INVENTORY The Metropolitan Council has developed standards for recreational facilities by the size, use and service area (Table 1.1). The City uses these standards to define its park system. TABLE 1.1 METROPOLITAN RECREATION OPEN SPACE SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL RECREATION OPEN SPACE Component Use Service Area Mini-Park Less than ¼ mile Site: Less than 1 acre Neighborhood Park Site: 10-25 acres Community Park Site: 25-50 acres Regional Park Site: 200-500 acres Linear Park Site: sufficient length to accomplish purpose Specialized facilities that serve a concentrated or limited population or specific group such as tots or senior citizens; may be in locations such as apartment complexes, townhouse developments, or commercial centers Area for intense recreational activities such as field games, court games, crafts apparatus area, skating, neighborhood centers. Area of natural or ornamental quality for outdoor recreation such as walking, viewing and picnicking; and may contain areas for intense recreational facilities such as athletic fields. Area of natural ornamental quality for nature-oriented outdoor recreation such as picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, hiking and camping. Area developed for one or more varying modes of recreational travel such as hiking, biking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, cross country skiing, canoeing and driving. ¼ - ½ radius to serve a population of 4,000 to 5,000 (neighborhood) 12,000 - 20,000 population 3-5 communities N/A Source: Metropolitan Council Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 3 REGIONAL OPEN SPACE Lake Minnewashta Regional Park 2020 Land Use Plan: Parks/Open Space Lake Minnewashta Regional Park is located on the northeast comer of Lake Minnewashta, west of Hwy. 41 between Hwys. 5 and 7. The facility was originally established as a park in the late 1970s. The area of the park totals 350 acres. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park continues to be operated and maintained by Carver County with funding from the Metropolitan Council. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park contains the following facilities: a swimming beach, picnic areas, boat access, 7 miles of trails, play areas and a 30 acre reforestation area. The future plans of this park call for an amphitheater, beach enhancements, a picnic shelter and additional trails. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum 2020 Land Use Plan: Public/Semi-Public The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, a unit of the University of Minnesota, is a public botanical garden and an international recognized education and research institution. Its 935 acres feature display gardens and exhibits, model landscapes for home and community, restored native landscapes, fruit and woody plant research plots, and woody and herbaceous plant collections. Over 5,000 species of plants are represented on the grounds. The Arboretum is open to the public year-round. There are six miles of trails for warm-weather walking or cross country skiing during the winter. A new research project, the Spring Peeper Meadow, a sedge meadow wetland restoration, is located at the comer of Hwy 41 and 82nd Street. The Arboretum's many educational offerings include children's programs and gardens, family activities, adult education, therapeutic horticulture, and Anderson Horticultural Library, one of the foremost botanical libraries in the world. The Arboretum also hosts several public festivals every year, including the Sugarbush Pancake Branch in the early spring and Fall Festival in September. National Wildlife Refuge 2020 Land Use Plan: Parks/Open Space The National Wildlife Refuge provides protection for the natural habitat of the Minnesota River Valley. The wildlife area, encompassing 14,000 acres, provides a linear greenbelt stretching Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 4 from Fort Snelling to the City of Carver. Within the City of Chanhassen, the refuge consists of 100 acres of land located adjacent to Rice Lake. The mission of the refuge is to manage the natural resources in order to perpetuate wildlife species and ecological communities' natural diversity and abundance, as well as provide opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation and an educational center for the study of natural systems. PRIVATE FACILITIES Camp Tanadoona 2020 Land Use Plan: Public/Semi-Public Camp Tanadoona was started by the Mi~meapolis Camp Fire Girls in 1924. This camp consists of 63 acres of land on Lake Minnewashta, south of Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. Today the camp serves both boys and girls. Bluff Creek Golf Course 2020 Land Use Plan: Public/Semi-Public and Low Density Residential Bluff Creek Golf Course is a private facility located on Hwy. 101 south of Pioneer Trail (TH 14). The 18-hole course is approximately 228 acres. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION/FACILITIES Intergovernmental cooperation has been a successful means of acquiring and maintaining recreational facilities. In 1991, the City and the School District 112 jointly acquired land for Bluff Creek Elementary and the Chanhassen Recreation Center. The recreation center is a multiple-use facility with outdoor ball fields, tennis courts, state of the art in-line skating/hockey rinks. EXIST1NG PARKS AND OPEN SPACE The City has six community parks, 21 neighborhood parks and 2,815 acres of open space (this includes land guided parks/open space and public/semi-public). Bandimere Community Park, City Center Park and Roundhouse Park are scheduled to be completed before 2000. The following table lists the parks and the facilities and activities they provide. TABLE 1.2 INVENTORY OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACE (See attached spreadsheet) TRAILS Trails are an important element in an overall successful recreational system. They link parks and neighborhoods and the City to Eden Prairie and Chaska. The City places a high priority on the construction of trails. The following map displays the location of public trails. FIGURE 1.1 EXISTING AND PROPOSED TRAILS (See attached trail map) Trails can accommodate various transportation modes. Walking, jogging, in-line skating, bicycling, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and horseback riding are frequent uses of trail systems. For the purpose of this plan, the City's trails are categorized into two general classifications: walkways/bikeways and nature trails. Walkways/Bikeways: These trail facilities are designed to accommodate both bicycle and/or pedestrian use. The trails are generally eight feet in width (Figure 1.2). Nature Trails: These trails are designed solely for pedestrian usage. In some areas of the City, particularly in the southern portion, they are used to provide public access to areas isolated by extreme topography, tree cover or other factors. Other Trails The Southwest Regional LRT (Light Trail Transit) Trails, part of Hennepin County parks, traverses through the southern portion of the City. It extends from Lake Riley to Chaska running parallel to Hwy. 212. Other special use trails also exist within the City. For instance, snowmobile routes are designated by private clubs, in cooperation with the City, that connect to routes in adjacent communities in Carver County. DEMAND User surveys constitute an important tool in the assessment of recreational demand. In January 1997, a survey was conducted to determine support for a park bond referendum. General questions relating to existing services/facilities were also included. Four hundred randomly- selected Chanhassen residents were surveyed. The most notable results are outlined in this section. TABLE 1.2 INVENTORY OF PARKS 1 Lake Minnewashta 350 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 3 National Wildlife Refuge 100 COMMUNITY PARKS ' 5 Rec. Ctr./Bluff Creek Elem. 20 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7 Hwy. 5/Galpin Blvd. 100 Y Y Y 9LakeSusan 33 Y Y Y Y Y ~ ~ iNEIGBORHOOD PARKS ~ 11 Carver Beach Linear 8 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 13 Cathcart 2 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 15 Chanh~ssen Hills 8 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ~ 17 Galpin Blvd. North (1999) 8~ 19 Herman Field 12 Y Y Y 21 Minnewashta Heights 2 Y Y Y Y 23 North Lotus Lake 20 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 27 Rice Marsh Lake 71 Y Y Y Y Y Y i'Y Y Y Y 29 Stone Creek 7 31 Bluff Creek 12 33 Lake Susan Hills (Outlot) VARIABLE MINIMUM 1t' 1/2" SLOPE PER FT. TOWARD ROADWAY TOPSOIL TYPICAL ., 10' PL VARIES BITUMINOUS TYPE 41WEASOO55Y 6" CLASS 5 BASE (100% CRUSHED) COMPACTED SUBORADE PER SOIL ENGINEER NOTES: 1. Shoulders to be restored with 5" of topsoil (:nd re-vegetated with sod or seed / mulch. 2. The contr(:ctor or developer sh(:ll supply o 2 year 100% mointencnce bond upon city ~:ccept~:nce. REVISED: l -98 CITY OF 2-97 BITUMINOUS TRAIL Figure 1.2 Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 6 Existing Park System The residents of Chanhassen overwhelmingly (80 percent) rated the availability and condition of existing recreational facilities as "excellent" or "good." One-quarter of the respondents indicated that they felt positively towards recreational facilities because ~hey are "accessible." New Trails The majority (55 percent) of the residents surveyed indicated that they would support a bond referendum for the construction of new trail links to form a comprehensive system. Urban Sprawl The majority, or sixty-one percent, of residents surveyed supported the preservation of open space before it is lost to urban sprawl. Sources of Information about the Chanhassen Park System The advertising that the City has done through the newsletter has been successful as sixty-eight percent of the respondents indicated that they were "very well informed" or "somewhat well informed" about the park system. Only four percent stated that they were "not at all informed." Forty-three percent of the respondents cited "usage" as to how they obtain information about the park and trail system. The "Villager" followed with twenty-six percent. In response to questions regarding the park system, the highest percentage (70 percent) of respondents indicated that they utilized "smaller neighborhood parks." Sixty-four percent stated that their household used the "community parks." And one-half of the residents reported using the "trails." Proposed Recreational Projects In the survey, respondents were asked their opinion on new recreational facilities ranging from a golf course to an ice area. For instance, forty-seven percent stated that they oppose a municipal golf course. There was a similar response for both an outdoor and indoor municipal swimming pool. Forty-nine percent were opposed to an indoor pool and fifty-one percent were opposed to an outdoor pool. The survey indicated that many (47 percent) of the residents do not support an indoor ice arena. However, fifty-six percent stated that they would support a "full service community center." Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 7 2020 PARK AND OPEN SPACE PLAN The 2020 Park and Open Space Plan places an greater emphasis on preserving passive open space than acquiring land for an active use. The natural features found in this City enable passive, nature-oriented recreational activities. The City recognizes that this sensitive land is finite in supply. As development has occurred, the challenge of accommodating the needs of the population and protecting and preserving the vulnerable environment has become apparent. Land Use Plan The 2020 Land Use Plan indicates that 12 percent (1,707 acres) of the land in the City is guided park land or open space. Although this plan does not specifically provide for additional park and open space, recreational facilities will need to be constructed to serve those not located within the service area of an existing facility. Open space will be maintained using the standards of the BluffCreek Overlay District. Also, highly desirable open space parcels are proposed to be purchased in the southern portion of the City. 1997 Park Bond Referendum In June 1997, a $4.9 million park bond was approved. This funding will enable the majority of the parks to be improved, the expansion of two parks, the preservation of open space in the southern portion of the City (south of Lyman Blvd.), and the construction of trail segments throughout the City. The following is a list of the improvements, expansions and constructions that is proposed to take place. Improve Neighborhood Parks .Expand Community Parks New Trails Carver Beach Park Carver Beach Playground Chanhassen Hills Park Currey Farms Park Galpin Blvd. Park Herman Field Kerber Pond Park Meadow Green Park Minnewashta Heights Park North Lotus Lake Park Pheasant Hill Park Power Hill Park Prairie Knoll Park Rice Marsh Lake Park Roundhouse Park South Lotus Lake Park Stone Creek Park Sunset Ridge Park Bandimere Park City Center Park Hwy. 7 (1 mi.) Galpin Blvd. (1.75 mi.) Powers Blvd. (1.5 mi.) Great Plains Blvd. (.5 mi.) Bluff Creek (.75 mi.) Pioneer Trail (1.25 mi.) Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 8 Recreational Needs Based on Population The 2020 plan will address the needs of future populations. This need is calculated using the population ratio standard. This standard is expressed as a number of acres of park land per one thousand people and is used to provide a general guideline for the assessment of future needs. Only parks will be assessed since a standard is absent for open space. This assessment will only be completed for the years 2000, 2010 and 2020. The following standards are utilized in the tables below: Park System (overall): Neighborhood Park: Community Park: 13 acres/I,000 people 5 acres/l,000 people 7 acres/1,000 people 2000 ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE NEED - POPULATION 19,045' Park System 526 13 acres/1,000 248 +278 Neighborhood Park 234 5 acres/I,000 95 +139 Community Park 292 7 acres/I,000 133 +159 2010 ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE NEED - POPULATION 26,753* Component Existing Acreage Standard Estimated [ Net 2010 Acreage Needed I Park System 526 13 acres/1,000 348 + 178 Neighborhood Park 234 5 acres/I,000 134 +100 Community Park 292 7 acres/I,000 187 +105 2020 ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE NEED - POPULATION 35,400* Component [ Existing Acreage Standard [Estimated Net 2020 Acreage Needed Park System 526 13 acres/i,000 460 +66 Neighborhood Park 234 5 acres/I,000 177 +57 Community Park 292 7 acres/1,000 248 +44 * City of Chanhassen Planning Department Projections These estimates indicate that the City currently fulfills the estimated assessed need for 2020. However, additional neighborhood parks will probably be needed to serve new residential areas not located in an existing facility's service area. Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 9 The primary focus of the 2020 plan will be open space or passive recreation, although the City recognizes that there will be a need for additional neighborhood recreational facilities to serve new residential areas. It shall be a priority to preserve environmentally sensitive or significant areas before they are destroyed or altered by development. Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 10 PARK AND RECREATION GOALS AND POLICIES GOAL POLICIES The City of Chanhassen will provide recreational facilities and open space areas which will reasonably meet the outdoor recreation needs of the community's residents and preserve and protect environmentally-sensitive areas and varied topography. Provide park and open space facilities that emphasize accessibility and use by Chanhassen residents. Coordinate that expenditure of local funds for recreational open space with the schedules for the provision and development of other municipal services. The City should update and adopt the recreation open space element of the comprehensive plan at least every five years. An annual assessment of programs, identified needs and the capital improvement program should be conducted. Negotiations for the acquisition of recreational open space areas should be based upon appraisals by qualified appraisers. Reasonable efforts shall be made to acquire land by negotiated purchase before utilization of the power of eminent domain. The location, design, use and impact of recreation facilities should be compatible with and enhance the environment of both the site and surrounding area. Abandoned right-of-way should be reserved and preserved for public use if they can be utilized for recreational purposes. Encourage the cooperative effort between the school system and the City in the acquisition, development and usage of recreational lands and facilities. Provide open space areas which assist in the conservation and protection of ecologically sensitive areas. Provide a recreation system that integrates manmade facilities into the natural environment of the area. Park and Open Space 03/11/98 Page 11 Develop a park and open space plan which is consistent with and compliments the overall land use plan for Chanhassen. Provide a system of neighborhood parks which are centrally or conveniently located within the area they serve and where possible, are integrated with school facilities. Encourage citizen participation in the planning for and development of park and open space facilities. Continue to seek assistance from community groups in the planning and development of recreation areas. Provide a balanced park system which includes neighborhood parks, community parks, special use facilities, schools, and private developments; all interconnected by a linear trail network. Where possible, neighborhood park lands should be planned for, prior to development to ensure that future facility demands can be met. The location of neighborhood parks should be identified in areas that do not require the crossings of major thoroughfares by small children. The planning for recreation and open space within Chanhassen should concentrate on total environment programming rather than emphasizing facility programs. 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