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Memo 4 '7.. . To: Mayor and Council From: Judy Holst, Deputy Clerk/Finance Director Date: July 10, 2008 Re: 2008 Trail and Park Improvements Please accept for the July 15th Council meeting agenda the attached request for payment to Miller Excavating, Inc. in the amount of$165,190.13 for the 2008 Trail and Park Improvements project. The payment has been approved by engineering and reviewed by the Finance Department. The project is 65% complete. The Finance Department recommends approval of this payment. Thank You Owner: City of Oak Park Heights, PO Box 2007, Oak Park Heights, MN, 55082-2007 Date: July 10, 2008 For Period: 6119/2008 to 7/10/2008 Request No: 2 Bonestroo Contractor: Miller Excavating, Inc., 3636 Stagecoach Trail North, Stillwater, MN 55082 CONTRACTOR'S REQUEST FOR PAYMENT 2008 TRAIL AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS BONESTROO FILE NO.000055-08152-0 SUMMARY _ 1 Original Contract Amount $ 365,751.10 2 Change Order-Addition $ 0.00 3 Change Order-Deduction $ 0.00 • 4 Revised Contract Amount $ 365,751.10 5 Value Completed to Date $ 236,818.60 6 Material on Hand $ 0.00 7 Amount Earned $ 236,818.60 8 Less Retainage 5% $ 11,840.93 9 Subtotal $ 224,977.67 10 Less Amount Paid Previously $ 59,787.54 11 Liquidated damages- $ 0.00 12 AMOUNT DUE THIS REQUEST FOR PAYMENT NO. 2 $ 165,190.13 Recommended for Approval by: BONESTROO Approved by Co actor: Approved by Owner: MILLER EXCAVATING, INC. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • • Specified Contract Completion Date: Date: • • 55081520RE02.xls Contract Unit Current Quantity Amount No. Item Unit Quantity Price Quantity to Date to Date PART 1-SWAGER PARK TENNIS COURTS REPLACEMENT: 1 MOBILIZATION LS 1 3000.00 0.8 $2,400.00 2 TEMPORARY ROCK CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE TN 20 30.00 20 $600.00 3 REMOVE TENNIS COURT FENCE,POSTS,AND FOOTINGS LS 1 2500.00 1 $2,500.00 4 REMOVE TENNIS COURT PAVING SY 1225 2.00 1225 $2,450.00 5 REMOVE TREE EA 2 200.00 2 $400.00 6 REMOVE BITUMINOUS PATH SY 115 3.00 120 200 $600.00 7 COMMON EXCAVATION(CV) CY 3050 5.00 500 2800 $14,000.00 8 GEOTEXTILE FABRIC,TYPE IV SY 1570 1.50 1570 $2,355.00 9 4"HDPE PERFORATED DRAIN TILE LF 770 6.00 770 $4,620.00 10 4" HDPE NON-PERFORATED DRAIN TILE LF 18 6.00 18 $108.00 11 BACKWATER VALVE EA 1 150.00 1 $150.00 12 SELECT GRANULAR BORROW TN 2390 7.00 405 2405 $16,835.00 13 AGGREGATE BASE,CLASS 5,100%CRUSHED TN 600 13.50 100 600 $8,100.00 14 TYPE LV 3 NON WEARING COURSE MIXTURE(B) TN 145 60.00 132.01 132.01 $7,920.60 15 TYPE LV 4 WEARING COURSE MIXTURE(B) TN 145 60.00 136.33 136.33 $8,179.80 16 BITUMINOUS MATERIAL FOR TACK COAT GAL 80. 1.50 $0.00 17 TENNIS COURT COLOR COAT SYSTEM AND LINE MARKINGS LS 1 4780.00 $0.00 18 TENNIS COURT FENCING LF 452 40.00 $0.00 19 TENNIS COURT GATE • EA 2 600.00 $0.00 20 TENNIS COURT NETS,COMPLETE LS 1 1100.00 $0.00 21 TENNIS BACKBOARD EA 1 4900.00 $0.00 22 AGGREGATE BASE, CLASS 5, 100%CRUSHED-TRAIL TN 55 13.95 5 50 $697.50 23 TYPE LV 4 WEARING COURSE(B)-TRAIL TN 16 100.00 29.42 29.42 $2,942.00 24 TOPSOIL BORROW(LV) CY 185 10.00 $0.00 25 SILT FENCE,PERMEABLE IF 260 1.75 23 273 $477.75 26 SEEDING,INCL SEED, FERTILIZER,MULCH AND DISK ANCHOR AC 0.4 2500.00 $0.00 27 AUGMENTED SOIL MIXTURE CY 200 12.00 80.00 28 MNDOT MIX 328-INFILTRATION AREAS SY 295 4.25 $0.00 29 STREET SWEEPER WITH PICK UP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 8 90.00 2 $180.00 TOTAL PART 1 -SWAGER PARK TENNIS COURTS REPLACEMENT: $75,515.65 PART 2-BREKKE PARK CONCRETE RINK: 30 MOBILIZATION LS 1 4560.00 0.4 1 $4,560.00 31 COMMON EXCAVATION(CV) CY 2144 5.50 800 1800 $9,900.00 32 GEOTEXTILE FABRIC,TYPE IV SY 1735 1.50 333 383 $574.50 33 4" HDPE PERFORATED DRAIN TILE LF 525 6.00 325 525 $3,150.00 34 4"HDPE NON-PERFORATED DRAIN TILE LF 50 6.00 $0.00 35 SELECT GRANULAR BORROW TN 2800 7.00 2400 2600 $18,200.00 36 AGGREGATE BASE, CLASS 5, 100%CRUSHED TN 470 13.50 300 430 $5,805.00 37 6"CONCRETE RINK SF 16665 4.35 16665 16665 $72,492.75 38 SILT FENCE,PERMEABLE LF 230 1.75 15 215 $376.25 39 SEEDING;INCLSEED, FERTILIZER,MULCH AND DISK-ANCHOR AC 0.6 2500.00 $0.00. 40 AUGMENTED SOIL MIXTURE CY 205 12.00 $0.00 41 MNDOT MIX 328-INFILTRATION AREAS SY 305 4.25 $0.00 42 STREET SWEEPER WITH PICK UP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 8 90.00 $0.00 TOTAL PART 2-BREKKE PARK CONCRETE RINK: $115,058.50 PART 3-BREKKE PARK TRAIL: 43 TEMPORARY ROCK CONSTRUCTION ENTRANCE TN 20 30.00 20 $600.00 44 REMOVE FENCE LF 99 4.00 $0.00 45 REMOVE CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER LF 30 4.00 $0.00 46 REMOVE BITUMINOUS DRIVEWAY SY 6 15.00 $0.00 47 CLEAR AND GRUB LS 1 2000.00 $0.00 48 12" HDPE PIPE,INCLUDING FES LF 15 20.00 $0.00 49 SITE GRADING LS 1 2350.00 $0.00 50 SUBGRADE EXCAVATION CY 180 5.00 $0.00 51 GRANULAR BORROW TN 360 7.00 $0.00 52 AGGREGATE BASE,CLASS 5, 100%CRUSHED-TRAIL TN 345 13.95 $0.00 55081520REQ2.9s Contract Unit Current Quantity Amount No. Item Unit Quantity Price Quantity to Date to Date 53 TYPE LV 4 WEARING COURSE(B)-TRAIL TN 106 60.00 $0.00 54 D412 SURMOUNTABLE CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER LF 30 22.00 $0.00 55 6"CONCRETE DRIVEWAY PAVEMENT SY 15 35.00 $0.00 56 CONCRETE PEDESTRIAN CURB RAMP SF 100 4.50 $0.00 57 TRUNCATED DOME PANEL SF 36 50.00 $0.00 58 SIGN PANELS,TYPE C, HIGH INTENSITY SF 48 27.50 $0.00 59 TYPE "A"AMBER LIGHT EA 2 75.00 $0.00 60 PAVEMENT MESSAGE,RIGHT TURN ARROW-EPDXY EA 2 165.00 $0.00 61 PAVEMENT MESSAGE, LEFT TURN ARROW-EPDXY EA 2 165.00 $0.00 62 PAVEMENT MESSAGE, BIKE PATH-EPDXY EA 2 350.00 $0.00 63 36"ZEBRA CROSSWALK-WHITE EPDXY SF 126 8.65 $0.00 64 SEEDING,INCL SEED,FERTILIZER,MULCH AND DISK ANCHOR AC 0.5 2500.00 $0.00 65 STREET SWEEPER WITH PICK UP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 2 90.00 $0.00 TOTAL PART 3-BREKKE PARK TRAIL: $600.00 PART 4-VALLEY VIEW PARK NORTH TRAIL: 66..:MOBILIZATION ' LS 1 1900.00 $0.00' 67 REMOVE CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER LF 12 4.00 $0.00 68 CLEAR AND GRUB LS 1 1800.00 $0.00 69 12" HDPE PIPE,INCLUDING FES LF 20 20.00 $0.00 70 SITE GRADING LS 1 2500.00 $0.00 71 SUBGRADE EXCAVATION CY 185 5.00 $0.00 72 GRANULAR BORROW TN 370 9.00 $0.00 73 AGGREGATE BASE,CLASS 5,100%CRUSHED-TRAIL TN 360 13.95 $0.00 74 TYPE LV 4 WEARING COURSE(B)-TRAIL TN 110 60.00 $0.00 75 B618 CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER LF 12 24.00 $0.00 76 PROTECTION OF CATCH BASIN IN STREET EA 1 100.00 $0.00 77 PROTECTION OF CATCH BASIN, NON-STREET EA 1 125.00 $0.00 78 SILT FENCE,PERMEABLE LF 230 4.00 $0.00 79 BIOROLL LF 60 2.50 $0.00 80 SEEDING,INCL SEED,FERTILIZER,MULCH AND DISK ANCHOR AC 0.5 2500.00 $0.00 81 STREET SWEEPER WITH PICK UP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 5 100.00 $0.00 TOTAL PART 4-VALLEY VIEW PARK NORTH TRAIL: $0.00 PART 5-PEDESTRIAN RAMPS: 82 REMOVE BITUMINOUS PATH SY 264 2.00 $0.00 83 CONCRETE PEDESTRIAN CURB RAMP SF 184 4.50 $0.00 84 TRUNCATED DOME PANEL SF 80 50.00 $0.00 85 SEEDING,INCL SEED,FERTILIZER,AND WOOD FIBER BLANKET SY 15 1.55 $0.00 86 STREET SWEEPER WITH PICK UP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 2 90.00 $0.00 TOTAL PART 5-PEDESTRIAN RAMPS: $0.00 ALTERNATE.;NO.3-BREKKE PARK PLEASURE RINK: • 121 COMMON EXCAVATION(CV) CY 740 5.00 740 740 $3,700.00 122 GEOTEXTILE FABRIC,TYPE IV SY 850 1.50 207 207 $310.50 123 4" HDPE PERFORATED DRAIN TILE LF 310 6.00 310 310 $1,860.00 124 4" HDPE NON-PERFORATED DRAIN TILE LF 150 6.00 $0.00 125 SELECT GRANULAR BORROW TN 1285 7.00 1000 1000 $7,000.00 126 AGGREGATE BASE,CLASS 5, 100%CRUSHED TN 215 13.95 180 180 $2,511.00 127 6"CONCRETE RINK SF 6957 4.35 6957 6957 $30,262.95 TOTAL ALTERNATE NO.3-BREKKE PARK PLEASURE RINK: $45,644.45 ALTERNATE NO.4A-VALLEY VIEW PARK SOUTH,RETAINING WALL REMOVAL AND GRADING: 128 REMOVE TREE STUMP • EA 2 150.00 $0.00 129 REMOVE RETAINING WALL LF 600 5.00 $0.00 130 TOPSOIL BORROW(LV) CY 80 10.00 $0.00 131 LIMESTONE ROCK SF 25 30.00 $0.00 132 SILT FENCE,PERMEABLE LF 160 1.75 $0.00 133 SEEDING,INCL SEED,FERTILIZER,AND WOOD FIBER BLANKET SY 625 1.55 $0.00 55081520RE02.,ds Contract Unit Current Quantity Amount No. Item Unit Quantity Price Quantity to Date to Date 134 STREET SWEEPER WITH PICKUP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 5 90.00 $0.00 TOTAL ALTERNATE NO.4A-VALLEY VIEW PARK SOUTH, RETAINING WALL REMOVAL AND GRADING: $0.00 ALTERNATE NO.4B-VALLEY VIEW PARK SOUTH, TRAIL: 135 REMOVE CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER LF 25 4.00 $0.00 136 SALVAGE AND REINSTALL EXISTING GRILL EA 1 300.00 $0.00 137 SALVAGE AND REINSTALL WOOD TRIM LF 35 10.00 $0.00 138 GRANULAR BORROW TN 65 7.00 $0.00 139 AGGREGATE BASE,CLASS 5, 100%CRUSHED-TRAIL TN 60 13.95 $0.00 140 TYPE LV 4 WEARING COURSE(B)-TRAIL TN 18 100.00 $0.00 141 8618 CONCRETE CURB AND GUTTER LF 25 24.00 $0.00 142 CONCRETE PEDESTRIAN CURB RAMP SF 32 4.50 $0.00 143 TRUNCATED DOME PANEL SF 16 50.00 $0.00 144 TOPSOIL BORROW(LV) CY 40 10.00 $0.00 145 SILT FENCE,PERMEABLE LF 150 1.75 $0.00 146 SEEDING, INCL SEED, FERTILIZER,AND WOOD FIBER BLANKET SY 565 1.55 $0.00 147 STREETSWEEPER WITH PICK UP BROOM WITH OPERATOR HR 2 90.00.. $0.00 TOTAL ALTERNATE NO.4B-VALLEY VIEW PARK SOUTH, TRAIL: $0.00 TOTAL PART 1 -SWAGER PARK TENNIS COURTS REPLACEMENT: $75,515.65 TOTAL PART 2-BREKKE PARK CONCRETE RINK: $115,058.50 TOTAL PART 3-BREKKE PARK TRAIL: $600.00 TOTAL PART 4-VALLEY VIEW PARK NORTH TRAIL: $0.00 TOTAL PART 5-PEDESTRIAN RAMPS: $0.00 TOTAL ALTERNATE NO.3-BREKKE PARK PLEASURE RINK: $45,644.45 TOTAL ALTERNATE NO.4A-VALLEY VIEW PARK SOUTH,RETAINING WALL REMOVAL AND GRADING: $0.00 TOTAL ALTERNATE NO.413-VALLEY VIEW PARK SOUTH, TRAIL: $0.00 TOTAL WORK COMPLETED TO DATE $236,818.60 55081520RE02.xds • PROJECT PAYMENT STATUS OWNER CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS BONESTR00 FILE NO. 000055-08152-0 CONTRACTOR MILLER EXCAVATING, INC. CHANGE ORDERS No. Date Description Amount Total Change Orders PAYMENT SUMMARY No. From To Payment Retainage Completed 1 06/02/2008 06/18/08 59,787.54 3,146.71 62,934.25 2 06/19/2008 07/10/08 165,190.13 11,840.93 236,818.60 Material on Hand Total Payment to Date $224,977.67 Original Contract $365,751.10 Retainage Pay No. 2 11,840.93 Change Orders Total Amount Earned $236,818.60 Revised Contract $365,751.10 55081520REQ2.xls Park Walk through — SPRING 2008 fi rcei Revised list 6/16/08 THIS IS THE DRAFT LIST OF PARK ITEMS FOR 2008. It is open to additions throughout the year. Tom O. Swager Park • Rehab tennis Court— Bid and proceeding • Add rain garden for stormwater— bid and proceeding • New ped ramps at Oldfield crossing needed on trail — Bid and proceeding • Grub roots and level area west of tennis court and plant— planned after crt • Repair/ replace failing fence sections and boards. This is a long term capital intense proposal. Staff repaired one section last week of May, 2008. Staff will continue to replace individual boards as calls come in. • Replace Playground Equipment w/ new non-conductive materials. This is a capital project that must be planned and proposed by the commission. • Additional trimming of brush, rooting, removal of debris and leveling to plant south of trail to Oldfield. Planned for 2008 after major work complete. • buckthorn/brush removal on existing trail to city hall and Oakgreen — long term issue and work load issue. Will continue to address brush issues on various trails as time is available. Have cut back crowded areas along trail and trimmed some dense area to help open up the trail and provide better visibility. Additional work planned for 2008. • Paint backboard on basketball hoop. Completed initially last week of May, 2008. Will have a second gloss white coat applied later in season. Cover Park • level rink area and replace any failed boards . • Repaint boards for hockey rink and recoat bench. • Water fountain. • Research options for restroom availability —trench, retaining wall, pavers, new door. Have preliminary plan. Will require accessible ramp to tie to road • clean mulch and perennial plantings. Add materials as needed. • update or replace bench. • Budget and install new light for north side of building. Autumn Hills Park • Consider adding ADA chips to restore playground • weed and feed new grass areas • change out dumpster to avoid additional vandalism complete— being moved • Move or remove portapot - scheduled Trails and Access points • Cut Buckthorn on all trails — Dream we have help. • Truncated dome pedestrian crossings needed several locations — Bid and proceeding • Doggy bags at key points — not yet ordered • Additional trails —Bid and proceeding Valley View Park • Continue buckthorn removal and trail shoulder work. Some trimming has been done along trail and along tree lines in park. Verify no damage from Xcel easement work. • repair/replace failing fence sections and boards as needed. Long term plan not yet made • repair and place new fascia. • Rake, till and replenish playground base (currently sand). Evaluate changes from new slopes from shelter and trails. Consider adding additional board and ADA chips for playground. • Retaining wall and stair replacement with ramp to playground bid and proceeding • Annuals planted and planters cleaned may be delayed until work done on trails and retaining walls. • new entry road — badly needed. No direct money allocated. Will add to 2009 budget. • Resurface or replace parking lot. Will provide estimate for 2009 budget. Brekke Park • Evaluate stair replacement— Should hold for now. Some concrete work was completed last year. Re-routing of drains and drain tile have eliminates some of the concern. New trail may grant indirect ADA access. • New concrete hockey and pleasure rinks - proceeding • board replacement will be added to budgets for consideration • Paint Hockey boards— replace where needed. • re-edge ball fields and drag. Herbicides if and where needed for weeds and edges of park. Got slow start due to late spring. Working out details with VAA. • Add new exterior circuit (upper level) and attempt (again) to repair rusted conduit and failed lower level plug ins on north and west walls. Has not gone well. • ceiling in park shelter cleaned, re-attached and painted • new parking lot—time has run out. Will add to 2009 budget for consideration. • back flow valve on sewer line is pending. Issue was traced to dumping in wrong manhole during lift station failures. • Draft layout for Frisbee golf was evaluated. It looks like it may be a doable project if funding is received. • Trail work has been bid and is proceeding • House removal is bid and proceeding • Hazardous materials and Freon have been removed from property • Revised trail r=termination is being submitted for change order. Other things? • Volunteer groups (none) • Improvements through donations (Frisbee golf, etc.) ENCLOSURE -2 NAC NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS , INC . � Brio HI 4800 Olson Memorial Highway, Suite 202, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Telephone: 763.231 .2555 Facsimile: 763.231.2561 planners@nacplanning.corn MEMORANDUM TO: Eric Johnson FROM: Scott Richards DATE: August 12, 2008 RE: Oak Park Heights — Park and Trail Plan Update — Needs Assessment, Goals and Policies and Design/Development Issues FILE NO: 798.16 The Parks Commission will discuss needs assessment, goals and policies and design/development issues for the Parks and Trail Plan update on August 18, 2008. Please find as follows the outline of the discussion and the background information that has been attached: Needs Assessment The Parks Commission shall conduct a needs assessment/improvements needed for individual parks and trails (segments of trails to be completed and parks improvements). This will be completed through the use of maps and sketches from existing parks, aerial photos, and photos taken by the Parks Commission. Information Provided: • Park and Trail Plan 1999 — Proposed Plans for the Five Parks • Comprehensive Plan 2008 Park and Trail Section • Parks Commission Photo Exercise • 2005 Aerial Photos of Five Parks Goals and Policies The Parks Commission will need to update the plan goals and policies. This would be completed through review of the 1999 Park and Trail Plan as well as the Park and Trail section of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Information Provided: • Park and Trail Plan 1999 — Recreation System Policies • Comprehensive Plan 2008 Goals and Policies (included as part of needs assessment) Design/Development Issues The Parks Commission will need to discuss major design/development issues for each of the parks and the trail system. This will include: 1. Completing Trail Connections 2. Major Park Improvements 3. Integration of Trails with Highway 36 Reconstruction and Connections with Stillwater, Lake Elmo and Baytown Township 4. Development of Park on Xcel Ash Landfill Site Information Provided: • Park and Trail Plan 1999 — Issues Identification • Stillwater Trail Plan • Bayport Trail Plan • Existing Park and Trail Guide 2 Brackey Addition 58th Street North ` t ,\, 1 \ 1 iii \ ._ _________t 4 t re, r.. 9 \ PotentIalParkinLot / :."\ and Community Center/Shelter 1 t r I Pond L 4 ' ' ) 1 ,4 ......... . 1 1..,•"'P'. - Sliding Hill Pond t 1 Pond 1 Pond \ ‘44. Pond 1 4i 1 lb PondNW,? 4/71 "Ill"Ill � I , 1 440f4 it , \\ ,__ -. ---:----- , N /4.../ \ ----- . .11,-/t '%.,.... ..________ ------- • CR .* ' , Note: This park is in the \_. Environmental process of being designed. Learning Center \ /y / More elements will be added. / / 1 1 'ii).. Boutwells Park 0 100 200 FEET Proposed Plan City of Oak Park Heights NFAC Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 Senior Life Community Plans, 1996 54 RI a of LY l0 Cl- r.,1 ,_ , I_ v40 T2t 11 c J Q U t ♦^ Y V/ L CL U < a. 2. E n t0 C LLJ ��— X N C 03 O O -I ci 1\-) rn d 2 U to ----/- (0 Q a U U al m a N to CD 03 1.19___:, El ....13) a) > _, et . 1 11- O N v N N E— O N L Ir. '-' 1 .H1 z° V a. a.)I com 1 L11. 11 = ' O U 65 1,- Z ' d "' a � 1' to all-) u,-, Er E 1 1 ILO : _1 U 1111 U 1 Q r.. 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ZOOZAgpasol0 1; a peso* 1 ♦♦. 9002 Aq pesolo ♦• 1 • n a .1 ; 11 A rl NJed 1 ` i .' I Janoo 1 ` ,• 1 1 1 l r ,---'' a;IS�esodsla �— r-1 4. -----i W4sb'dSN � ---' \ '' y,� Liu Aq prion • ---' _ • 1 Via. -- • , IQO Aq peso ' $ ,•' ,..-.- , aaedg ued0 �/ 1 1 1 y,'� uepieo Ieu1Joj' , 1 slleJl I - \ L. '„', Jammy}Iydwy -- .epnloul o;;uewdoteAea Iel�ue od • 5, ___,. peon e6e}uoJd Apo pesodoJd 1 ge AeMg694 awelS 1 l r--- Enlarge ► eParking Lot ittir04p4 Ati too --m- AY I r Top of Slope rr I Perennial Path Planting p Rink Hockey Parking `ria * 60 43 Br-fti `i 1:1- i / 'Small Rock Wall (Perennia! Planting on S lope- 4 / Pleasure 1 am, � Skating/ I Basketball N . . ` Play Structure 1�1 _ and Swings 0 Improve Park Building/ f f I ' ---- 0 25 50 FEET Add Greenhouse / '—Connection to NSP Areas 58th Street ' ~, • City of Oak Park Heights Van Accessible Handicapped Parking Cover Park Proposed Plan Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 City of Oak Park Heights Parks and Trails Comprehensive Plan 2008 PARKS AND TRAILS - INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION The issues identification process identified a strong desire by community leaders and residents to continue improving the existing park and trail system. Park improvements, additional park land, and trail connections were all discussed by the public and City officials. The goals and policies, as well as the plan, address the issues identified as part of the comprehensive planning process. The City recognizes that the community is almost completely built out and new park land will not be created as a result of land subdivision. Three areas, the Xcel Ash Disposal Facility, the newly acquired property adjacent to Brekke Park, and a possible boat landing next to the St. Croix River would serve as new park areas within the City. The continuing emphasis in coming years will be on improvements within the existing parks and trail connections within the City and with surrounding communities and regional trails. The following section is only a summary of the issues, goals, policies, and plans of the Park and Trail Plan. That plan, which updates the 1999 Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan, will be completed in early 2008. Comprehensive Plan 2008 s'w City of Oak Park Heights Page 141 PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE EXISTING PARKS AND TRAILS The Oak Park Heights park system offers numerous City parks distributed throughout the City and a trail system that nearly connects all parts of the community. The park facilities offer a full range of recreational activities. A list of the existing parks is as follows. A map of the existing park and trail locations is found on a following page. The City of Oak Park Heights contains five established parks. The parks vary in size, location, and service. Parks play an important role, not only in their overall recreational benefit to the residents of Oak Park Heights but as a crucial destination point directly related to the establishment of trails. All are interrelated and each portion from the park land itself, all the way down to a single picnic table or foot of trail, plays an important role in completing a recreational link, therefore adding to the comprehensive system. Valley View Park is the largest park within the City and is intended as a City-wide passive park for hikers, picnics and nature. It is viewed by the City as a very unique and positive amenity in the community given its dense vegetation, variation in topography, wetlands, and array of existing and potential uses. The park is an important link between the east portion of the City and Osgood Avenue (via its entrance drive, and/or through Brekke Heights or Valley View Estates residential subdivisions). Adjacent to the Valley View Park is the Allen S. King Plant ash disposal facility. Xcel Energy has closed portions of the disposal facility and created a trail system within the site. The City will continue to work with Xcel Energy to create a possible recreational facility when the disposal site is closed by 2010. Brekke Park is a high quality, intensively utilized City park intended as an active area for field games and a playground area for toddler age and older. It is located adjacent to State of Minnesota land controlled by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and serves as a community playfield for residents in the south central portion of the City, primarily between Osgood and Oakgreen Avenues. The City will continue to work with the DNR to allow utilization of the property for open space, limited recreation and trails. In 2007, the City purchased the property at 5502 Osgood Avenue, adjacent to Brekke Park. The City will include plans for the new park land in its complete update of the Park and Trail Plan in 2008. Swager Park serves as a neighborhood playground along the linear park system. The park is fairly centralized within the community and is located within a Xcel Energy easement. A trail has been constructed within the easement from just east of Swager Park, through the City to Highway 5. Comprehensive Plan 2008 t•_ City of Oak Park Heights Page 142 PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for residents in the Village of Oak Park Heights neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat segregated from the north and western portions of the City. Autumn Hills Park and Haase Recreational Area serves as a neighborhood park and is surrounded by the Boutwells Landing senior community. The park serves as a focal point for residents from all areas of the City with the large play equipment area and the new park shelter with restrooms constructed in 2007. The recreational area features trails, utilities and natural areas adjacent to the Autumn Hills neighborhood and the Environment Living Center of the Stillwater Area High School. On the following page is a list of the existing park components for each of the five City parks. The map on a following page indicates the existing park and trail system. Efforts in recent years have been to complete the connections between parks and throughout the community. Additionally, as part of all residential and commercial development, new sidewalk and trail connections have been added. Comprehensive Plan 2008 City of Oak Park Heights Page 143 PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE EXISTING PARK COMPONENTS Valley Brekke Swager Cover Autumn View Park Park Park Hills Park Park Size 65 acres 13 acres 1.4 acres 1 acre 24 acres Picnic Shelter with bath with V witt11, h w ADA access ADA access Baseball/Softball we' Hockey Rink V ✓' free skate free skate Warming House with shelter with bath with shelter ADA access Basketball Court ,f ,f vor Tennis Courts ,f loof Soccer/Open Field youtonly, Fall Play Set rf ,f i f V V Swing Set N f ,o/ 'we V le Spring Animal ,f Horseshoe Pit ,f Grills ,yf ,f V V V Picnic Tables yf we ,vire f V Bench/Seat vir ,f ✓ Bike Rack/Stand IV V V V Trail/Path Connection yf ,f V V V Trees/Shrubs yf ,f V V Signage ,rf ,f V y/ V Source: City of Oak Park Heights ll' Comprehensive Plan 2008 City of Oak Park Heights Page 144 4 _ l Cl) N e me - RS = 3,. 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Wil. ` `� ,1w _ —inn U_ U_ CD _:S( ME1 1 2,;. �, i�i.w Via'.- I ♦./w/� C C V J O i k IP ' •� ill_ ___La i IItL.. :� �► 1111111.11 P‘wNiaill: 101. tau .. i„.11 , WWI •i'l'al. , „ .,, ,„ iiiiriciw ! ._, --- ' , .111111 .1titisMait II 1 7jekirtl kott -_ c„ . . ,; z . 4 :; 40 !Iv _ RA NiN4,\47. girl 1 I jikr I 11 i lir ,, a hilli .0) L. �I— ),\, II 1 ! /4 C) 11'► IIS 1 G tl a.IIII 1-11r# , 4iiNNN, ,,,, o PARKS AND TRAILS - GOALS AND POLICIES INTRODUCTION Goals and policies reflect the community's direction as it relates to its recreation system and provides more detailed guidance on park and trail development. Park and trail goals and policies were developed through an analysis of the issues identified in the Issues Identification phase of the process. Additionally, the policies were adopted to reflect the community's direction in land use growth and the resulting need for additional park land and facilities. As with any policy plan, it is important to read the statements together rather than as disjointed declarations. Although conceptual development may leave the map out of date, it is expected that policies are more enduring. GENERAL GOALS AND POLICIES Goal 1: Plan and maintain an attractive and diverse system of parks that address the park needs of all segments of the community. Policies: A. Identify present and future park needs on a regular basis for evaluation by the Parks Commission and City Council. B. Prepare an overall parks and trail master plan that includes detailed plans for each component of the park system. C. Land for parks will be acquired, planned and developed according to a park classification system which specifies the appropriate sizes, locations, service areas and equipment to best serve the City. D. Promote public participation in the park planning process. E. Ensure that cash and land dedication is in compliance with the overall plan for the City's park and trail system. F. Utilize cash in lieu of park dedication in smaller subdivisions to be used for development of larger City parks. G. Coordinate park and trail planning and funding mechanisms to provide pedestrian/bicycle access to and within parks. H. Identify areas of the community lacking in park, recreational and trail facilities for planning and programming of additional facilities and programs. I. Identify sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition, i.e., park and trail dedication fund, Capital Improvement Plan, bond issuance, grant programs, etc. J. The inclusion of environmentally sensitive areas (river frontage, tree groupings, native prairie, bluffs, unique vegetative associations, etc.) into park or trail facilities should be considered. Comprehensive Plan 2008 t City of Oak Park Heights Page 147 PARKS AND TRAILS - GOALS AND POLICIES K. Consider acquiring land for parks/trails at an early date to meet long range needs before development pressures render the property too expensive. L. Encourage recreation programs and facilities that maximize participation and overcome physical or economic limitations which may prevent equal opportunity, regardless of age, race, sex, religion, or place of residence. M. Coordinate facility development with the needs of community residents, athletic associations, civic groups, etc. N. Encourage year round use of park facilities. O. Consider the long term costs of maintenance and operation in a facility's design and development. P. Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean, orderly, controlled, safe, and attractive parks and recreation areas. Goal 2: Consider providing linkages within Oak Park Heights as well as to neighboring communities and regional systems by a safe and convenient multi-use trail/sidewalk system. Policies: A. Create a City-wide trail and sidewalk system designed to minimize conflicts between pedestrians and motor vehicles. B. Minimize park and trail/sidewalk construction costs by constructing trails in conjunction with State, County, and City street improvements. C. Work with Mn/DOT on trail/sidewalk connections and construction as part of the St. Croix River Crossing and Highway 36 improvements. D. Parks and trails/sidewalks shall be constructed on a priority basis, according to Capital Improvement Plan/available funds with the following objectives: 1. Trails/sidewalks along major streets which focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety and which provide direct access to City/regional destinations and parks. 2. Trails/sidewalks that provide looping and interconnection within the City. 3. Trails/sidewalks that will serve the most intensely used areas. 4. Trail/sidewalk construction within existing parks and upon municipal property. 5. Trail/sidewalk inclusion within new park/subdivision development. 6. Development of safe pedestrian trail/sidewalk crossings whether on grade, below grade, or as overpasses. E. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process. F. Develop an ongoing planning process for the establishment of trail/sidewalk locations and maintenance of existing systems, and review the plans on a yearly basis to ensure that the needs and priorities are up-to-date. Comprehensive Plan 2008 • City of Oak Park Heights Page 148 PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN PARK FACILITIES AND TRAILS The residents of Oak Park Heights are rightfully proud of their extensive system of City parks and recreational facilities. While most of the existing areas and neighborhoods are served with park facilities, the Issues Identification process indicated that certain needs were not being met. When the full Park and Trail Plan is updated in 2008, additional input will be sought by the public and City officials in potential park needs. Within the Issues Identification section of the Comprehensive Plan, a list of potential projects was identified. 1. Extension of Brekke Park into adjacent single family property. In 2007, the City purchased the property at 5502 Osgood Avenue for park use. The three acre parcel is located adjacent to Brekke Park and across Osgood Avenue from the entrance area to Valley View Park. The Park Commission will be considering potential uses for this area and ways to provide connections between the two parks as part of the Park and Trail Plan update in 2008. 2. Park/trail development on the Xcel Ash Facility. The City will continue to work with Xcel Energy for development of the area for open space and recreational areas. The facility will be completely capped by 2010, allowing a number of passive and active uses on the property. 3. Development of a dog park. The City will consider this as part of the Park and Trail Plan update in 2008. 4. Development of a skate park. The City would consider this as part of the Park and Trail Plan update in 2008. 5. Possible construction of a community swimming pool/regional recreational facility. A swimming pool would be a significant monetary investment, both in terms of construction costs and long term maintenance. The City is working with nearby jurisdictions on development of a regional recreational facility that would likely be located in Lake Elmo and include swimming facilities. Comprehensive Plan 2008 `" City of Oak Park Heights Page 149 PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN 6. Identify and close gaps in the trail system. The City will continue to work toward completion of the trail system and closing off existing gaps. In 2007, the City completed significant segments of the trail system as reflected in the Existing Park and Trail Systems Map. The Proposed Park and Trail Plan identifies those segments that are yet to be completed. 7. Develop trails along Oakgreen Avenue. In the Fall of 2007, the City authorized the construction of a trail segment between 55th and 56th Street North on the west side of Oakgreen Avenue. The City had already completed the segment between the linear trail and 56th Street North earlier in the year. The City will make a priority of completing trail segments and connections north of 58th Street on Oakgreen Avenue. 8. Provide a trail connection to Manning Avenue and to regional trail connections. The trail connection from 58th Street to Manning Avenue will occur only if the properties are annexed to the City or there is cooperation with Lake Elmo to complete this connection. Right-of-way within Oak Park Heights should be secured to assure this access. Regional trail connections will be addressed in the Park and Trail Plan update. 9. Provide trail connections into the DNR property along and across Osgood Avenue. The City will continue to work with the DNR on possible trail development into and within the DNR property. The City will also work on providing a crosswalk on Osgood Avenue to connect Brekke and Valley View Parks. Development of a tunnel under Osgood is also in the long range plans. 10. Develop recreational programs within the City park system. Provide programs for older children. The City has not pursued recreational programs for its parks in the past. This should be discussed by the Park Commission. Cooperation with the School District and other organizations in the community that provide existing programs may be the preferred method of providing recreational programs. Comprehensive Plan 2008 City of Oak Park Heights Page 150 .1. PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS The map on the following page indicates the regional park and trail systems in the St. Croix Valley near Oak Park Heights. The City will work with Washington County and Mn/DOT in providing trail connections from the City's system of trails. The City will also look to provide trail connections and encourage the development of the Minnesota Zephyr rail line into a trail that would connect Oak Park Heights to Stillwater. TRAILS The Proposed Parks and Trails Map will be created as part of the update to the Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan. The Issues Identification process indicated that there is a strong desire to continue the interconnection of neighborhoods, schools, commercial areas, public facilities, and parks. City staff has indicated that trails will be added as part of any City street projects, where possible, and as part of new and redeveloped commercial projects. The City will also work with Mn/DOT and Washington County on roadway upgrade projects, especially as it relates to the St. Croix River Crossing and Highway 36 improvements for trail development. The trail plan will provide for the interconnection of neighborhoods, parks, schools and commercial areas. Emphasis shall be placed on a trail system that connects all areas of the community and interconnects to regional trail systems. The City will develop a more comprehensive trail plan that provides details on trail development, including specifications and an implementation plan for programming development of the system. Development of a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian trail system plan as part of a park and trail system plan for the community should incorporate the following: 1. Include trail routes within and interconnections to the areas planned for annexation. 2. Connections to and linking neighborhoods with the commercial and industrial/ business park areas of the City. 3. Trail routes along major streets that have the most direct access to primary pedestrian destinations. 4. Where trails will connect neighborhoods to schools. 5. Where trails will serve commuter destinations. 6. Where trails lead to parks, playfields and other recreational facilities. 7. Where trails will link together separate portions of the sidewalks and trail systems with each other. 8. Where trails provide access to future regional trails. Comprehensive Plan 2008 City of Oak Park Heights Page 151 PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN t. Comprehensive Plan 2008 t - City of Oak Park Heights Page 152 �4 - o >1 CL m 0_ i B -199die0 °s al 2 a c m w co al = 10 Meld seunp p . . •yi y C m c m 9A0.1 ;''110J `•-• ill ® O ^� •� O Z f1,0Q ` UO Vo aao aitammail L U Q N Mill t.V.,111111114 � a d@ li •IN ,. 0 0 r o ` o Lip, «1 b, a mpN 711111:P. .1111114...',11,74" .Ai .. Z..Vi 1 m • '1t.0;e61; o , " � ISIm, ,` �+ CU Mii .. ):.'s.\st fa' ip +� of�` )1- ISe9 :OW �� al 20 •Ill p 011 4 }}�� LP we •II' 0 Vl -52 6 CI) CD ,.\\ ' Il .. EllMk rill ILU) 0' ~ moi,I ' 4, 0, i ' oN '� �, 5, 1 C1 '��VVAA c 1__ cz y� Q V/ 0 I ueneg xiw0. . e�` (� ` LL vJ m allittil midi Y \.__ .Alp'1 ‘-, •., ir 4,PIW * .(1. 00 /Ar e e o orkoll ikii. amill " ` S� aaH ` © ir lli a o lied 11e0 \IN Itir l' a" as . ti . 4,61% _ 4).1 ' /. .. ep...si , ...- _.... i J ( 1 6,filv♦ or CL co 0. e © ,„ O A 4 0 16444LD '3' e gini 45 nL \ ID - ijoird d _ Z r, n�' 'r ,1? N (a oo � p�gd � q D. o Eli ¢ 11 a © p 40)) U '^ted�4 }�� CLia) ma) 0) I r�..'S� 7',c• a� r a8► t/W As 6fl In vC// N �{J ° n L: 0 LL 0 .Ima 1 :: .::. ,, 41 ds ■ 1 ;sal,,�ap�!M ilk w ill g W b Ilk , . ,... ; UBGi ,y 'elmi . • F Vi= w t V pH iu % $ i Ai p,©,t a 3ZS i � aQ( e. 0,0 IN VW o med )Ilaslled . tp- . 00 • V : U° fin * 1 PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN PARK CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM The future park lands within Oak Park Heights should be planned under a park classification system as part of a proposed Park and Trail System Plan. Using the identification system to program the level of development for each of the eventual parks will assist the City in planning for and scheduling the funding for completion of the facilities. Also, planning for types of park facilities and open space will maximize the use of park dedication funds. A park classification system is intended to serve as a guide to planning, not as a blueprint. Sometimes more than one component may occur within the same site, particularly with regard to a specialized use within a larger park. Based upon national standards, a park system, at minimum, should be comprised of a core system of park lands with a total of approximately 10 acres of open space for 1,000 population. The City of Oak Park Heights offers more than 22 acres of park land for 1,000 population, a major benefit to the residents of the community. A listing and short description of park classifications is as follows: Neighborhood Playground Use Designed to provide mainly passive activities with some active short-term activities Service Area Neighborhood size of 1,000 to 5,000 persons, within 1/4 to ' mile Population Served Focus upon ages 5 to 15, with informal recreation for groups of all ages Desirable Size 1 to 5 acres Acres/1,000 Population 1.0 — 2.0 acres Site Characteristics Open space for spontaneous play, play areas for both pre-school and school age children, multiple-use paved areas, limited field games, small court games, ice rinks, within easy walking/biking distance Existing Playgrounds Swager and Cover Parks Comprehensive Plan 2008 .* City of Oak Park Heights Page 155 �rt PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN Neighborhood Parke Use Area for designated active and passive recreation areas Service Area 1/2 to 1 mile radius to serve a population of up to 5,000 persons (a large neighborhood) Population Served Focus upon ages 5 and over with emphasis upon ages 5 through 18 Desirable Size 5 to 10 acres Acres/1,000 Population 1.5 —2.0 acres Site Characteristics Suited for multi-use recreation development, easily accessible to neighborhood population, geographically centered with safe walking and bike access, may include school facilities Existing Parks Autumn Hills Park 7� �4110 IaNi d�� of 'Community PlayfieldS ,, Use A large recreation area with primarily athletic facilities designed to serve older children and adults Service Area 1 to 114 miles for urban areas/unlimited for rural communities, a minimum of one per community up to 30,000 maximum population Population Served All persons with focus upon ages over 20 Desirable Size 10 to 25 acres Acres/1,000 Population 2.0 — 5.0 acres Site Characteristics Athletic complex including lighting court and field games, community center or indoor recreation facility, swimming pool, ice rink, capacity for special events, must include support elements such as rest rooms, drinking water, parking and lighting Existing Playfields i Brekke Park Comprehensive Plan 2008 ;,, City of Oak Park Heights Page 156 PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN Community Parks Use Area of diverse environmental quality which may include areas suited to intense recreational facilities such as athletic complexes, as well as passive type areas, depends largely upon the site location, suitability and community need Service Area Several neighborhoods, 1 to 4 mile radius for urban areas/unlimited for rural communities Population Served All ages, toddler to retiree, entire community for cities up to 25,000 Desirable Size 20 to 35+ acres Acres/1,000 Population 5.0 — 10.0 acres Site Characteristics Provides for a combination of intensive and non- intensive development ranging from play equipment to trails, may include natural features, such as water bodies or forested land, must include support elements such as rest rooms, drinking water, parking and lighting Existing Parks Valley View Park, Xcel site in conjunction with Valley View will also be a community park Natural / Conservancy Areas Use Protection and management of the natural/cultural environment with recreational use as a secondary objective Service Area No applicable standard Desirable Size Sufficient to protect the resource and accommodate recreational uses Acres/1,000 Population Variable Site Characteristics Variable, depending upon the resource being protected Existing Parks Valley View (portions of this park are left in a natural state) • Comprehensive Plan 2008 City of Oak Park Heights Page 157 PARKS AND TRAILS PLAN Schools Use Facilities developed in association with schools which are intended for children's educational and recreational instruction, which on a secondary basis, provide opportunities for community residents, this shared usage is positive in that it allows for daytime usage by students, evening, weekend, and summer usage by all Schools Oak Park Elementary (in Stillwater), Stillwater Area High School, and the Environmental Learning Center Facilities Oak Park Elementary has three small baseball fields, a field that is sometimes used for soccer, a small basketball court, and a playground. Stillwater Area High School has facilities for softball, baseball, football, soccer, tennis and track. The Environmental Learning Center provides educational training regarding environmental topics. Comprehensive Plan 2008 t`'" City of Oak Park Heights Page 158 Parks Commission Photo Exercise — Camera #1 1 s. ' �;I ,R�t`:, a a e '". *"t '' 1,''"ey s'� to 9 �s J. ' I. 't _ -'.tr. ." •, ' � '1-';',1�. -ail,. *40414 • ;;u 2.tr - i' _ ., „, 1 2 - •ARy, S 1 --- ' s � 4: ill t f 5 6 Parks Commission Photo Exercise — Camera #1 aate�±+,, • Y AT ..J # S �a "Sl Y ` + _ + x : .1.. h r -..i.4-4 :V . ;.. , r 4,,14' 4 -. i.'" .`,..,.....,,,1,,, ' Alk, ? ,-. Jt t .. S{ 1 �{ <w o t. k,:.,... .,.:...... r ,. j 0. ,,... • .. x. -- ..*' ... ,,„it:-.. ,.+xis. V9 4'1 q. 14: 12 Parks Commission Photo Exercise — Camera #1 viEwswm — K '_ < ' 13 ; : : .`'`• 14 * } . .' 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Feet `.°° M� °°:':, 0 200 400 800 -v ... ,,,,.. ..... ..... ........., r- .5, vs,. A.."N" 4 ,,, I A • w , ,,;',.„,"'",'',,,-,,.,,.,,,„(7,„„):',, - w e t1;w f ` City of Oak Park Heights Cover Park NAC NORTHWEST 453OCI4TED CONSULTANTS, INC. Feet //�'rT- 1 Telp„o Te3231°2555 Fed c.n3*76323162581 pP.P.'x",ne sawlnrcpJ.n3lg7 n= L 0 V 50 1 00 RECREATION SYSTEM POLICIES No matter how well done a physical Park and Trail Plan may be,no plan can anticipate every eventuality. Growth in the City may occur in new locations which the Trail Plan cannot possibly anticipate or expect. Growth can also occur much faster or slower than the Plan contemplates. Even though the physical Park and Trail Plan does not provide for facilities in these new locations,the City's Comprehensive Recreation System Policies can still apply. Policies reflect the community's general treatment of its recreation services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development standards. Park and trail policies in this Plan were developed through the analysis of the issues identified in the Inventory and Issues Analysis phase of work. Additionally, the policies which were adopted as part of the City's 1991 Park Study for Newly Annexed Areas have been incorporated into the policy and park planning sections contained herein to create a single,comprehensive park/trail planning and development guide. As with any Policy Plan,it is important to read the statements together,rather than as disjoint declarations. Although unanticipated development may leave a map out of date, it is expected that the Policies are more enduring. The City should update the Policy Plan as new or amended policies are adopted. Develop an on-going planning process for the establishment of parks and trails which SYSTEM responds to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policies as well as those identified herein. POLICIES Identify present and future park/trail needs on a regular basis for evaluation by the Park Commission and City Council. Review the established park/trail plans on a yearly basis to ensure that needs and priorities are up to date. Establish a time period for comprehensive update of the plan. Prepare a master plan for each component of the park/trail system to be used as the basis for development. Promote public participation in the planning process via the Park Commission hosting a forum for open discussion of issues. Promote integration with other City activities,services,and facilities. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 24 Identify the means by which to implement park/trail administration and operations (ie: SYSTEM by the Park Commission and City Council policies,procedures,and ordinances). POLICIES, continued Acquire park/trail facilities to satisfy the recreational and transportation needs of the ACQUISITION residents on both a neighborhood and community-wide basis. POLICIES Identify means for park/trail acquisition, ie: dedication, purchase, eminent domain, donation. Identify means for establishment of park/trail facilities within subdivisions, ie: outlots, easements,etc. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process (see development standards contained herein). Identify sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition, ie: trail dedication fund,capital improvement program,bond issuance,grant programs,etc. Establish who is responsible for park/trail construction within subdivisions. Determine to what extent wetlands, drainage ways, floodplain areas, etc. should be accepted as part of park and trail dedication within subdivisions. Besides the standard programs and facilities typically recognized by the City,consideration should be given to the following areas: ► Areas for nature preservation ► Historic preservation ► Cultural enrichment ► Facilities for the handicapped/disabled ► Public activity areas and facilities in employment centers ► Organized sports and recreational activities ► Teen programs and facilities ► Senior citizen programs and facilities CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 25 The inclusion of environmentally sensitive areas (lake frontage, forests, native prairie, ACQUISITION bluffs, unique vegetative associations, etc.) into park or trail facilities should be POLICIES, considered to contribute to the overall recreation system. continued Consider acquiring land for parks/trails at an early date to meet long range needs before development pressures render the property too expensive. Consider accepting park land dedications consistent with the adopted park/trails plan and accepting only cash in areas which serve no system purpose. Consider crediting for dedication of park and trail lands only those parcels which are not within delineated wetlands or which include slopes of no more than twelve(12) percent. Create and maintain an attractive,diverse,and interesting system of urban parks/trails. PROGRAMMING/ DEVELOPMENT Create a City-wide park and trail system designed to minimize conflicts between POLICIES pedestrians and motor vehicles. Minimize park and trail construction costs by constructing trails in conjunction with state, county,and city street improvements. Parks and trails constructed on a priority basis, according to capital improvement plan/available funds;trail priorities may be: ► Trails alongmajor streets which focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety and which provide direct access to city/regional destinations and parks. ► Trails that will serve the most intensely used areas. ► Trail construction within existing parks and upon municipal property. ► Trail inclusion within new park/subdivision development. ► Completion of links between existing trails and other communities. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 26 Park priorities may be: PROGRAMMING/ DEVELOPMENT ► Establishment of parks in association with new subdivisions. POLICIES, continued ► Establishment of parks in undeveloped areas or newer parts of the City. ► Creation of neighborhood and community-wide parks. ► Develop existing vacant parks. ► Upgrade/improve upon existing park equipment. Utilize railroad and/or utility rights-of-way for trails or linear parks. Identify types of financing to be utilized for park/trail acquisition and development. Review park dedication fees in comparison to surrounding areas and in regard to the cities needs (land vs.cash). Encourage the private sector to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. Provide support facilities in conjunction with trail development. Fully organize and outline new recreation programs prior to initiation and implementation. Determine where the establishment of user fees is appropriate to combat recreation costs. Determine under what circumstances unsolicited gifts and donations will be accepted if they are free of obligations or potential future impacts. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts will be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Active use recreation areas should be designed for year-round use with an established system of maintenance. Park and playground buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities with regard to scale,design,color,setbacks,and materials. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 27 Park and trail development should minimize impacts on adjacent properties through PROGRAMMING/ provisions for, but not limited to: DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, ► Adequate off-street parking continued ► Appropriate orientation and location of buildings and activity areas ► Screening,buffering,and landscaping ► Adequate setbacks and physical separation Coordinate facility development with the needs of community residents,Parks Commission services,athletic associations,civic groups,etc. Maximize park accessibility by city residents to best serve the area. Coordinate yearly park events. Consider the long term costs of maintenance and operation in a facility's design and development. Preserve existing physical site amentities (natural or man-made) and encourage the establishment of new site amenities when planning and developing park areas. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated or easements are established for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process. Establish park and trail facilities which provide recreational as well as functional uses. FACILITY PURPOSE & Provide varying types of trails to be used as the basis of planning and development for the DESIGN Multiple Use Trail System, defined as a comprehensive trail system for the integration of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses(pedestrian,bicycles,roller skating,cross country skiing,etc.). Grades of trails should not exceed five(5) percent to ensure handicapped accessibility or eight(8)to ten (10) percent for all other areas. Design and construct trails according to the standards established by the National Park and Recreation Association,the State Department of Transportation,and Rails-to-Trails CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 28 Conservancy (see Trail Design Standards attached herein). FACILITY PURPOSE & Land for parks will be acquired,planned and developed according to the Park Classification DESIGN, System contained herein which specify the appropriate sizes, locations,service areas and continued equipment to best serve the City. Prior to the development of each park area,a design plan will be prepared which shows the types,locations and sizes of proposed facilities and estimated costs. Park facilities and buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities with regard to scale,design,color,setbacks,and materials. Maximize park accessibilitiy by city residents to best serve the area in which the facitility is located by requiring either vehicular or pedestrian access or both(depending on the size and classification of the park.) Promote and encourage the utilization of bicycle and pedestrian corridors as ski touring or sledding routes during the snow season and consider other possible uses of such corridors when safe and proper. Maintain all trails in good repair and ensure that designated trail segments are kept open and clear of snow throughout the year unless designated as winter use trails. Consideration shall be given to safety,visibility, and emergency access into parks when acquiring land or planning for their development. Neither snowmobiles nor any other motorized vehicles shall not be allowed within or upon City park or trail areas as designated by Ordinance. Bicycles shall only be allowed upon paved surfaces within the City as designated by Ordinance. Mountain biking is allowed on trails designated for this purpose. Develop policies for all terrain vehicle, mountain bike,and in-line skate usage. Define the types of parks which exist and are to be established in the City and develop policies for each (see Park Design Standards herein). CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 29 Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean,orderly,controlled,safe,and MAINTENANCE attractive parks and trailways. Park maintenance and operation shall safeguard the & OPERATION physical condition of trailways from deterioration or damage due to weather,vandalism, or other natural or human causes. Develop a clear and concise system of park and trail graphics and signage that direct people along trails and into parks to specific points of interest. Define specific park and trail safety rules. Develop ways in which to promote citizen interest and involvement in the City's park and PUBLIC trail system. RELATIONS & Publish a pamphlet that shows the trail routes,parks,service and public facilities. COMMUNITY ISSUES Monitor characteristics of use,safety,and other factors periodically throughout the park and trail system. Provide facilities/services to all residents of the community. Develop ways to organize recreation programs and facilities to maximize participation and overcome physical or economic limitations which may prevent equal opportunity, regardless of age, race,sex, religion,or place of residence. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 30 ISSUES IDENTIFICATION The Parks Commission discussed issues relating to existing parks and trails in workshops on February 9 and March I, 1999. The following is a summary issues raised by the Parks Commission and staff. ► Provide opportunities for all ages to participate in lifetime fitness through the use GENERAL PARK of trails,tennis courts,cross-county skiing,and other activities. ISSUES ► Develop recreational and environmental education programs to familiarize people with the parks. ► A system of signage to identify parks and graphically inform people about the location and extent of park and trail facilities is needed. ► Create Oak Park Heights monument signs with plantings welcoming visitors to the City. ► Link all parks within the City through a system of trails. ► Year-round parking and indoor recreational facilities are needed. ► Plan for parks as a unified system with consistent hours of operation. ► Continue to explore joint park use with Oak Park Elementary and adjacent facilities. ► Welcome the public to the park with an inviting landscaped entry. (Potential for VALLEY VIEW cooperation with the garden club.) PARK ► Identify park boundaries and aid visitors in locating picnic and trail facilities with improved signage. ► Allow safe access to the lower area of the park with an improved trail system. ► Provide trail connections to the east with a bridge across the wetland area. ► Maintain a natural aesthetic in the park,including trails that are integrated with the contour of the land and wood chip paths. ► Consider handicapped accessibility in all decisions regarding trail and bridge facilities. ► Develop recreation and environmental education programs that would familiarize people with the park. ► Consider the park as a gateway to the community. ► Develop the Northern States Power property adjacent to the park as the disposal CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 12 facility closes to create a year-round regional destination integrated through trail VALLEY VIEW connections with Valley View Park and the rest of the community. PARK, continued ► Work with the DNR to build additional ball fields, a golf course, and a club BREKKE PARK house/concession stand on DNR land south of Brekke Park. ► Maintain longer bathroom hours (with an attendant to prevent vandalism). ► Explore trail/road access from the DNR land,even if additional facilities are not built there. ► Explore expansion and improvements to the existing Brekke Park picnic shelter. ► Consider options for better accessibility to the lower level of the park shelter. ► Improve the park through identification and directional signage. ► Construct a hard surface under the hockey rink to provide a better and more long lasting ice surface in the winter and to provide a skateboard/rollerblade area in the warmer months. ► Consider improvements described in the DNR grant proposal of 1996 including the following: ► A trail with an east/west orientation along the parking lot and northern edge of the park. ► Additional facilities in the eastern portion of the park including a picnic shelter,landforms,tricycle raceway,and plantings. ► Reconfigure/move basketball court. ► Improve identification signage. SWAGER PARK ► Improve trail entrances to the park,especially the access from the St.Croix Mall parking lot. ► Improve parking area. ► Consider the park as a linear park segment within the trail system, rather than as a destination in itself. ► Create a unified theme throughout the park. ► Create a landscaping plan that provides additional trees and shrubs. ► Provide benches throughout the park. ► Plant 16 small trees provided through an NSP grant. ► Install tree/fence screening along the northern boundary of the park. ► Upgrade tennis courts. CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 13 ► Provide lighting along trail. SWAGER PARK, ► Improve visibility by removing buckthorn and other exotic species along the trail continued west of the park and create a landscape plan. ► Provide additional play equipment for young children. ► Providing bathrooms in the park would be a useful addition. ► Install more picnic tables and benches throughout the park. ► Enlarge and improve parking lot. COVER PARK ► Provide garbage containers, especially in the summer when the hockey rink is used to let dogs run. ► Improve existing warming house building. ► Construct a City-operated greenhouse attached to the warming house. ► Connect to the NSP property and Valley View Park by extending a trail from the cul-de-sac next to Cover Manor. ► Evaluate long-term uses with expansion of Valley View Park and development opportunities associated with MnDOT properties. ► Require the developer to provide a year-round community center/open air shelter BOUTWELLS with bathrooms. PARK ► Provide a tot lot,play structure,and picnic tables. • Develop the park in a way that allows sliding on the larger hills. ► Develop recreational programs. ► Encourage cross-country skiing by not clearing all of the trails in the winter. ► Provide trail connections to other areas of the City and the Environmental Learning Center. ► Provide gathering areas,benches,and shade trees. ► Create trail connections to the Central Business District from Boutwells Park and TOWN CENTER the trail that currently ends at Oakgreen Avenue. • Design a town square with landscaping,fountains,a skating rink,benches/resting areas,waterways and other attractions. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 14 ► Cooperate with MN/DOT to construct a walking bridge or sidewalk as part of HIGHWAY 36 bridge replacement across Highway 36 near the Central Business District and in eastern Oak Park Heights. ► MnDOT to beautify Highway 36 east of Norell Avenue by planting trees and shrubs on both sides of frontage roads. ► Restore prairie areas where possible along the trail system. TRAIL ISSUES ► Construct educational environmental kiosks and signs at Valley View Park,by City Hall, at Boutwells Park,and in other appropriate locations along the east/west trail corridor. ► Provide benches/resting areas along trails. ► Link northern Oak Park Heights to the NSP property,Valley View Park,and Oak Park Elementary. ► Re-stripe the southern edge of the St.Croix Mall parking lot with a trail lane and stripe a crosswalk over Osgood with signage between Osgood and Valley View Park. CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 15 The following trail issues were identified by the City Council in a special workshop held on February 13, 1995: Link Oak Park Heights to Stillwater and Bayport by way of MnDOT's proposed trail on NORTHERN Highway 95. OAK PARK HEIGHTS Link Sunnyside to MnDOT's trail and to the proposed Stillwater park on the existing Aiple Marine property. Link Sunnyside to the bluff area by way of Lookout Trail. Find a way to link Lookout Trail to the west via County 23, proposed frontage road, or 62nd Street. Link the homes west of Osgood Avenue to the south and east and define the best trail route along one or both sides of Osgood Avenue. Provide access from the homes north of 62nd Street and east of Osgood Avenue to the area south of Highway 36 using either trail along 62nd,Oxboro Avenue,or possible re-opening of Panama Avenue. Link Lower Oak Park Heights(eastern residential neighborhoods)on the south side of 59th EASTERN Street to the rest of Oak Park Heights via a potential connection across the NSP Waste OAK PARK Disposal Facility to the frontage road where it dead-ends at Club Tara. HEIGHTS MnDOT should provide a bike trail along the south side of Highway 36 from Club Tara to Osgood Avenue. Provide easy access to the Holiday Gas Station at the southeast corner of Osgood Avenue EAST OF and Highway 36 for the residents of this area to convenience food shop; potentially via OSGOOD & internal traffic circulation using Osman Avenue,going behind Rapid Oil Change and linking SOUTH OF this to Greenbriar Apartments and Valley View Estates. HIGHWAY 36 Find a way for Valley View residents to access Valley View Park's developed area by way of CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 16 a paved trail coming out to Osgood Avenue and going in by way of 56th Street. EAST OF OSGOOD & Provide access for those residents east of Osgood Avenue to safely cross Osgood Avenue and SOUTH access the mall,Swager Park,and Brekke Park. SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 36, Define where the designated crosswalk(s) should be south of Highway 36 on Osgood continued Avenue. Utilize the NSP easement as an east-west link through the City. Explore using the mall NSP EASEMENT parking lot as a link and evaluate the potential impacts to the parking lot. Address the issue of pedestrians and bicyclists using the mall entrance at the same time as vehicles. Connect the Pondview Condominiums at the southwest corner of Highway 36 and Oakgreen Avenue to the rest of the community. OAKGREEN AVENUE & Connect the NSP easement trail with the frontage road intersection at Oakgreen Avenue. VICINITY Connect the NSP easement trail with the entrance for the proposed 58th Street and the trail along Oakgreen Avenue to the south. Investigate the possibility of crossing Oakgreen Avenue at the NSP easement/frontage road intersection and continuing further west in the narrow strip of land known as Registered Land Survey No. 114,Tract A,then cut south to connect with 58th Street. Study the need for trail(s) along one or both sides of Oakgreen Avenue. Determine whether 58th Street or some other location such as 55th Street is the best place to cross Oakgreen Avenue. Define whether trails along 58th Street will adequately serve the annexation area between Oakgreen Avenue and the high school. Link Baytown Township with the proposed annexation area park and connect the park and high school to all surrounding area communities. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 17 The City approved MnDOT's conceptual plan to rely upon 58th Street as the primary off- FRONTAGE road trail area west of Oakgreen Avenue. ROADS Define where trails should be along the entire length of Highway 36 frontage roads. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 18 ISSUES AND ANALYSIS This section of the Park and Trail Plan develops the Inventory information and specific concerns identified by the Park Commission and staff into a set of issues which the following Policy and System Plan sections will be designed to address. A comprehensive listing of issues helps bridge the gap between raw data collected through site analysis/meetings and plan development/prioritization. In other words, issues help to clarify the park and trail planning needs and desires of the community which the inventory work finds. Identify a planning process for review and update of the Park and Trail Plan. Review may PLANNING occur yearly, for instance, and comprehensive update of the Plan may occur every five ISSUES years. Future park and trail needs should be evaluated regularly by the Parks Commission in comparison to the Plan. Define the means by which public participation can be a regular part of the planning process (meetings,surveys,etc). Discuss the means by which to implement park/trail facilities(ie:policies vs.ordinances). Encourage property owners to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. For example, land owners in more rural areas may be willing to give up a 10-20 foot strip of land along the periphery of their acreage for development of a trail. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts would or could be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Consider including a map of the City park and trail areas, along with proposed routes, within a newsletter on a yearly basis to make citizens more aware of recreational opportunities. Determine if and where the establishment of user fees may be appropriate. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 19 Consider having a master plan prepared for each parcel of land intended for park purposes, PARK ISSUES to be used as a guide in the future development of such. It is crucial that the City plan for recreational facilities prior to the acquisition of land. Define park development priorities, ie: in new subdivisions, in older neighborhoods with lacking facilities,in regions expected to develop,improve existing parks,etc. Consider establishing more strict park dedication requirements which make it more or equally as profitable for developers to dedicate land instead of money. Determine whether existing and proposed park areas are desired for year-round or seasonal usage and what effect this will have on park facilities and design. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie: off-street parking,screening,landscaping,setbacks,etc. Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. Identify in what park situations lighting would be appropriate or necessary. It is possible that this may only be accomplished as plans for each park or trail are established. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening, landscaping,setbacks,etc. Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 20 Discuss a system of signage which may serve to identify park areas,direct people to specific PARK ISSUES, uses,and outline rules of use. continued Discuss the types of parks that the City wishes to establish and develop policies for each (see attached information). Trail uses can vary greatly depending upon what is permitted by a municipality. Trail uses TRAIL ISSUES can be either functional,recreational or both. Walking,running,bicycling,roller skating, skiing,snowmobiling,and recreation vehicle trails are most common. It is beneficial in many cases to separate the active or motorized uses from passive (walking) uses. In developed areas it is wise to prohibit motorized trail usage altogether and instead allow it within rural areas as an interim use until such time as development occurs. The size of trails involves two factors: width and length. The minimum recommended width for multi-use trails is eight feet, although it is beneficial in many situations to provide increased width depending upon the use and location. The length of trails should be varied to provide choices for users. The location of trails within the community may be constructed in one of three general ways: I) on street, separated by a painted line, 1) off street, but parallel to the road surface like a sidewalk, or 3) completely separated from the road and not necessarily parallel to it. Define how railroad rights-of-way and utility easements may be utilized as trail corridors. The surfacing of sidewalks or trails may be asphalt, concrete, brick, pavers, gravel, woodchip,or grass depending on what their intended use is. Trail signage should be considered for several purposes: I)to denote the type of trail and permitted uses,1)to give direction as to where they lead,and 3)to warn vehicles of trail crossings,on-street routes,etc.for safety purposes. Snow removal from trails is another issue which must be considered. The location,width, construction material,and use will all affect this decision. Many trails may be desirable during winter months if left unplowed for use by skiers,sleds,etc. Others which connect residential areas to schools or are heavily traveled by pedestrians for recreational purposes may best be kept free of snow and ice. A plan for removal should be coordinated with the CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 21 maintenance department which identifies high priority trails which demand immediate TRAIL ISSUES, snow removal attention and those which are given attention only when time allows. continued Lighting of trail corridors is an important factor which extends the usable time for residents'use as well as aiding in the prevention of serious accidents and crime. It allows the police visibility into many areas as part of their routine surveillance. The types of lighting varies widely and is available for all situations, but in some cases lighting may only be desired as a secondary benefit from street lights which already exist. Handicapped access to at least a portion of City trails is an important issue to think about. Keep in mind the surfacing,length/width,and slope of trails to be utilized by wheelchairs. It may be beneficial to establish a policy for the establishment of handicapped accessible trails;for instance:50 percent of all trails constructed must be designed to accommodate the disabled. The types of auxiliary or support elements which can be provided in association with trail corridors is also an issue. Benches,picnic tables,water fountains,exercise courses,and the like may be positive additions to the City trail routes and possibly become a standard in some areas. Consider establishing a system for dedication of trail corridors or monies. Identify the acquisition means for parks/trails(ie:dedication,purchase,eminent domain, ACQUISITION donation),when each system is appropriate and what will be the priority process. ISSUES Outlots vs. easements, what is more appropriate when land is dedicated as part of a subdivision? Work with the City Engineer to define the ROW widths that are necessary to establish trails along designated roadways;for instance:an eight(8)foot trail necessitates a fifteen(I5) foot easement and ten (10) foot level bench (construction) area. Many times additional temporary easement area is needed to grade surrounding areas. Define the minimum width necessary for park access within a subdivision when located between two lots, as well as the screening/buffering and maintenance requirements (property owners may mow the grass up to the trail,but not want responsibility for tree and shrub care). CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 22 Discuss sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition of park and trail elements, ie: ACQUISITION dedication monies,capital improvement program, bond issuance,grant programs,etc. ISSUES, Establish who is responsible for establishment of approved park or trail areas within continued subdivisions (developer or City). Discuss what amount of maintenance is possible at the current staff level and at what point DEVELOPMENT/ additional staff persons would be needed to maintain the recreational system as it grows. MAINTENANCE Do we want to allow only low maintenance facilities at the current time or do we have the capability to maintain an intensely developed park system? ISSUES Define ways in which to minimize park and trail costs, ie: construction of trails in conjunction with roadway improvements or at time of subdivision. 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PROL NO. 0008154 1 ___ NNORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS • • INC COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH i>"C+_ SURE 8 MEMORANDUM TO: Oak Park Heights Parks Commission FROM: Scott Richards DATE: 26 March 1999 RE: Oak Park Heights - Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan FILE NO: 798.08 • Please find enclosed a finalized draft of the Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan. This draft includes the "plan" text and graphics that has not yet been distributed to the Parks Commission. Please review the draft carefully and note any comments or changes. The Parks Commission will hold a workshop on the plan at their 5 April 1999 meeting. If you have any questions before that time, please do not hesitate to contact either Cynthia or me. pc: Kris Danielson Commissioners: Please bring the copy of the plan which was mailed to you. Thank You. • • • 5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD , SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 55416 PHONE 612-595-9636 FAX 612-595-9837 NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS N INC COMMUNITY PLANNING - DESIGN - MARKET RESEARCH e4CLOSURE 6 MEMORANDUM TO: Oak Park Heights Parks Commission FROM: Scott Richards / Cynthia Putz-Yang DATE: March 12, 1999 RE: Oak Park Heights - Comprehensive Park Plan FILE NO: 798.08 Please find attached the revised inventory, issues and policy sections of the park plan. • Cynthia and I have incorporated your comments and suggestions from your previous workshop. I have also included an Existing Trail Map, and generalized park and trail maps that will be included in the planning sections of the document. We have not finalized the draft text and all of the maps for the plan sections. These will be forwarded to you as soon as they are completed. The Parks Commission should consider holding an additional workshop on April 5, 1999. By that time, you will have received a more complete draft of the entire park plan. We look forward to your comments and suggestions at your regular meeting on March 15, 1999. pc: Kris Danielson • 5775 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 555 ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA 554 1 6 PHONE 6 1 2 - 595 - 9636 FAX 612 - 595 - 9837 E-MAIL NAC@ WINTERNET.COM CITY • OF OAK PARK DRAFT HEIGHTS COMPREHENSIVE PARK TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 1999 NORTHWEST • ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS INt. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Oak Park Heights Parks Commission Kevin Furlong,Chair Margie Schwartzbauer Liz Weaver Darla Berger Gina Bias-huh Oak Park Heights Mayor & City Council Mayor David D.Schaaf David Beaudet Lynae Byrne Mark Swenson Jerry Turnquist Oak Park Heights City Administrator • Thomas Melena Community Development Director Kris Danielson Public Works Director Jay Johnson CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN RESOURCES • Trails for the Twenty-First Century: Planning, Design & Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails. Edited by Karen-Lee Ryan,Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Written by Charles A. Flink,Peter Lagerwey, Diana Balmori,and Robert M.Seams. Published by Island Press,Washington D.C., 1993 Recreation, Park & Open Space Standards & Guidelines. Edited by Roger A.Lancaster. Written and Published by the National Recreation & Park Association. Alexandria,VA, 1983 Park Planning Guidelines, Third Edition. By George E.Fogg. Written and Published by the National Recreation & Park Association. • Alexandria,VA, 1981 Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. Co-edited by Charles W. Harris&Nicholas T.Dines. Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York, 1988 • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN ii CONTENTS Introduction I Park & Trail Inventory 2 Existing Parks 2 Existing& Proposed Park Components Chart 4 Maps of Existing Parks 5 Existing Trails 10 Issues Identification II Parks Commission Issues I I City Council Trail Issues 14 Issues and Analysis 17 Planning Issues 17 Park Issues 18 Trail Issues 19 Acquisition Issues 20 1111 Acquisition Issues 21 Recreation System Policies 22 System Policies 22 Acquisition Policies 23 Programming/Development Policies 24 Facility Purpose&Design 26 Maintenance&Operation 28 Public Relations&Community Issues 28 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN iii Trail Facilities Masterplan • Proposed Multi-Use Trail Routes Park Facilities Masterplan Park Guidelines & Classification System Implementation Appendix Trail Planning&Design Guidelines Trail Design Standards • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN iv INTRODUCTION The Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan,adopted in 1998,indicates that a Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan will be completed in 1999. The Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan contains elements of the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail System Plan, 1995,and also looks at facilities in existing parks,potential for new parks,and provides a clear implementation plan. The Comprehensive Plan indicates that the City's population is aging with a growing number of two person households,where the children have left home. The City also has a growing amount of elderly housing. In recognition of the changing demographics of the community,this plan seeks to provide opportunities for recreation for all ages. The first section of the Park and Trail Plan is a description and summary of the background inventory that provides the basis for the Park and Trail Plan. The Inventory is followed by two chapters containing park and trail issues identified by the City Council,Park Commission,City staff,and other residents. The Issues Identification chapter contains issues identified for each park and area of.the City. The Issues and Analysis chaptercontains more general constraints and opportunities the City faces in the implementation of its park and trail system. The Recreation System Policies chapter contains policies that reflect the community's generaltreatment of its recreational services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development.standards. The Recreational Facilities Masterplan follows the policies and provides the direction and recommendations for park and trail planning and development. The Proposed Multi-llse Trail Routes chapter identifies trail routes that arepartof the City's recreational facilities improvement plan. The Planning • and Design Guidelines and Standards follow for parksand trails. Implementation is the final chapter of the Park and Trail Plan. Provide recreational facilities for all ages and areas of Oak Park Heights and link all parts MAIN GOAL of Oak Park Heights internally as well as to neighboring communities by a safe and convenient multi-use trail system. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN PARK & TRAIL INVENTORY • The first step in determining the needs of the City's recreational system is the identification of the existing conditions. The existing park and trail facilities were identified through site inspections by City Staff, Park Board members, and planning consultants. This identification process included both location,size and physical amenities of the facility in question,as well as the condition and level of development of the facility,both of which may affect eventual use of the park or trail sites. The items inventoried for each facility were gathered with the goal of being able to place the parks and trails in the context of a system of recreational opportunities. The baseline data provided in this effort helps the City to understand how its park and trail facilities fit together, and provides the information necessary to identify gaps or areas of need. The City of Oak Park Heights contains four established parks and one park that is in the EXISTING PARKS process of being developed. The parks vary in size,location,and service. Parks play an important role not only in their overall recreational benefit to the residents of Oak Park Heights but as a crucial destination point directly related to the establishment of trails. All are interrelated and each portion from the park land itself all the way down to a single picnic table or foot of trail plays an important role in completing a recreational link, • therefore adding to the comprehensive system. Valley View Park is the largest park within the City and is intended as a city-wide passive park for hikers,picnics and nature. It is viewed by the City as a very unique and positive amenity in the community given its dense vegetation,variation in topography,wetlands, historic farm site,and array of existing and potential uses. The park is an important link between the lower (east) portion of the City and Osgood Avenue (via its entrance drive, and/or through Brekke Heights or Valley View Estates residential subdivisions). Adjacent to the Valley View Park is the Northern States Power ash disposal facility. NSP will be closing portions of the disposal site beginning in 1999. The City has plans in cooperation with NSP to create a regional destination for residents as well as visitors to the St.Croix Valley integrated through trail connections with Valley View Park and the rest of the community. Brekke Park is a high quality,intensively utilized City park intended as an active area for field games and a playground area for toddler age and older. It is located adjacent to State of Minnesota land controlled by the Department of Natural Resources and serves as a community playfield for residents in the south central portion of the City, primarily • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 2 between Osgood and Oakgreen Avenues. As stated in the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, in EXISTING 1999,the City will actively be working with the Department of Natural Resources to release PARKS, the property to the south and allow for extension of the City. This area has potential for continued preservation of open space and park land as well as a possible golf course/housing development. Swager Park serves as a neighborhood playground along the linear park system. The park is fairly centralized within the community and is located within a Northern States Power Easement. A trail has been constructed within the easement from the east end of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. This trail has the potential to be extended all the way from Valley View Park to the high school and western City limits. The park is located to the west of the St.Croix Mall and has the potential serve employees and visitors of the mall if a trail connection is provided. Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for residents in the surrounding neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat segregated from the north and western portions of the City. Cover Park will not be impacted physically by the proposed Highway 36/95 bridge construction,but will ultimately lie in close proximity to the realigned intersection. Beach Road may be terminated,thus eliminating an existing connection to the northern part of the City,although access will be provided along 59th Street (east-west)between Highway 95 and the Osgood Avenue/Highway 36 commercial core and may ultimately connect with the NSP site. Peller Avenue will be designated as the southerly access connecting Valley View Park and then through to the western portion of the City. Boutwells Park is a 24 acre park planned within the annexation area to the west of Oakgreen Avenue. The park will be developed as part of the Valley Senior Services Alliance senior community project. The park will gain access from 58th Street and is intended to serve surrounding area neighborhoods. The park will also be the focal point for residents from all areas of the City given the proximity/potential connection to the high school and system of internal trails planned around the wetlands. The table on the following page provides an overview of the existing and planned park components/facilities within the community. Maps of existing parks and trails are provided following the existing and proposed park components table. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 3 4. 2 X x x x x O ....W CO = IL N ,x , , , at EXISTING & PROPOSED �d �x 1x8 x PARK z COMPONENTS LLI Z o o m i i x CL. Z o = _ _ IL) W,. :...-_-- M Y CO > > x CC CC O. _= LLI 16.IH CD 2 CC O. ad so r LI =4"...n= Z g H a z !C an x W O z W 23 HVINCe. in zY. s Cyg I" ......IL S 6. 2.10 H o .LLJ ...e Axa hg 0 CC V Q G I O. mo — =_W =W s W mmx8 x8 x8 VS Z Z = C._ 3 2 W F_ W E�' . _ W �m 8 t o _- 3 z 3.T, e e x s W W a. W =cW^ c—W^ o zCO se=c ��`�CC Ls � x Q� CO m v >W ams x0.,. an I. 3 3 M,^ J sC *m �m�e xm= wXX • :W W N u — — r - 4 M 20_ W oe 4 4 !--'4 A 4 O 4 O...c. t n.0C aao- and d 4...3 o_ m3d 0 0 • LI n X �I 11����f�,♦ . . . . I , i 4 Inn .....aao � III i o 0 Ir. = ):. . ... A 1 ° Ai. 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N /� fab Y 1 J > am m fO N O d rn A ii 0 O * QcovOO ltl . /'-- _ O (A `1 .. 5 Q/ r 1\ d U co Q Q cl g Q hi 3 -o I ` 2 ci,L I �-t -,,..., �` a 1 m• 4-16 ' 101 I .. ca I ` ca = \------ — L..\_____. :_2\.,,t2s 1 C p ' 11 0 as_c t• RI •N•any Jew() 0u).g. o a ° I `o _ o 1 C ox. U I----p ---- .° 000 ° 000 N e 000000 0 J Z 0 N • U t_ • • d 7 tii 1 E O Tn , co ceO 177 ca. Ti 1 7 Til E-—-, D. AZ nii2- I1---:--r._*7 y Y U1 0 d • F-8 �U'o m hn \ ! T m U 1 • u, t. . ��1 \\„:„.-0..,..\ • \\<:" ../../..' * '•. ea • a Ta W \ )'. .......... 13:...: ' 111 c u- „6 z\I ; . ., „, , - •. . ..” i 8 • % �` a 7 L rn • I ILI L= 1 `v Y a O Y �o 766 . 1 I I [I L 1... Q EM O � Octs J 0 1 (t) cin in o. co I X CI U n to C CO 1,t• CL y��yi Q8 .11 J O Tsi IT] t. N .r O V N Z 1 m 1 LID 11 U 0 ( z n a 6In 1 (.1.-) 0 = I . tri toE____ ' co a 1 i p E ( _ _ . _--_-= NU C uJ+ ' Z myC 1- 1 dE0 N co W — _ ---- a. co El Z w cu . .] E=1 il D In• 1-11-10N anuany Pla!}PIO • 1 ] 1 O 8 • T iilop�,� Parking Lot 4111‘ 44 . wr-ed ; � Q r ITop of Slope I C.Perennial Path P,,ll)anting P Hockey Rink Parking Z 404P ;he ai I Nip( i• l I 1 Small (Perennia I Rock Wall 1t IPlanting on Slope / PleaSkatinsug/re Mihlkli llNI G lay Structure0 1�� and Swings I Park Building t � 1 0 5 50 FEET — (-7. /, ..1 .N. 58th Street r City of Oak Park Heights Van Accessible Handicapped Parking Cover Park • Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 City of Oak Park Heights 9 Brackey Addition • _ 582Street North i _\:.•...2.::::,:;_.. 1 ',.:,._...-:.....:_-..___-. .__._1((0!6..:el:,:'.*i\•:':.:i•„.\.....:. '. ,1 1 1. . _ 9irq . Qe `;, `' ' 1111 11 f::.:::_':,:,,,-•,,,:•:. _.:„0...i..-i..i711:::?,:5:::;-iL.:4...:;....,.1•_:.0...:32.:_.•..'::._.':,0:.__j__:_:...._.1:,_ '•.\,.”. 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In 1995,when the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian TRAILS Trail System Plan was completed, the only trail routes available were a few sidewalks located in the area adjacent to the City of Stillwater and trail connections to existing parks. Since then,a number of trail segments have been completed. In 1997 a trail was constructed in central Oak Park Heights within a Northern States Power easement. This trail runs from the east side of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue North.The trail is heavily used and has potential for extension to both the east and west. In western Oak Park Heights, trails have also been constructed or are in the process of being constructed between Oakgreen Avenue and State Highway 5 along 58th Street and between Norell Avenue and 586 Street along Highway 36. In eastern Oak Park Heights,a short trail has been constructed next to a wetland to connect Stagecoach Trail (CSAH 21) with 58th Street North. In addition to these trails, trail entrances into City parks connect 57t Street North to Swager Park,connect 55th Street North to Brekke Park,and connect Ozark Avenue and 51t Street North to Valley View Park. • Washington County includes two trail corridor links through Oak Park Heights as secondary trail components of the county-wide system. The trails are designated along State Highway 95(St.Croix Trail North) and County Highway 21 (Stagecoach Trail North) which both run in a north-south configuration. The Highway 95 route runs parallel to the river and is the most heavily used route by bicyclists who travel south though Bayport and is a high priority bicycle route for the County. The Highway 21 route splits off from Highway 95 in southern Oak Park Heights and runs more inland than the Highway 95 trail through scenic areas of West Lakeland Township and Afton. Washington County also plans to utilize the shoulders along Osgood Avenue as part of the secondary trail route. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN I I ISSUES IDENTIFICATION • The Parks Commission discussed issues relating to existing parks and trails in workshops on February 9 and March I, 1999. The following is a summary issues raised by the Parks Commission and staff. ► Provide opportunities for all ages to participate in lifetime fitness through the use GENERAL PARK of trails,tennis courts,cross-county skiing,and other activities. ISSUES ► Develop recreational and environmental education programs to familiarized people with the parks. ► A system of signage to identify parks and graphically inform people about the location and extent of park and trail facilities is needed. • Create Oak Park Heights monument signs with plantings welcoming visitors to the City. ► Link all parks within the City through a system of trails. ► Year-round parking and indoor recreational facilities are needed. ► Plan for parks as a unified system with consistent hours of operation. ► Continue to explore joint park use with Oak Park Elementary and adjacent • facilities. ► Welcome the public to the park with an inviting landscaped entry. (Potential for VALLEY VIEW cooperation with the garden club.) PARK ► Identify park boundaries and aid visitors in locating picnic and trail facilities with improved signage. ► Allow safe access to the lower area of the park with an improved trail system. ► Provide trail connections to the east with a bridge across the wetland area. ► Maintain a natural aesthetic in the park,including trails that are integrated with the contour of the land and wood chip paths. ► Consider handicapped accessibility in all decisions regarding trail and bridge facilities. ► Develop recreation and environmental education programs that would familiarize people with the park. ► Consider the park as a gateway to the community. ► Develop the Northern States Power property adjacent to the park as the disposal • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 12 ► Provide lighting along trail. SWAGER PARK, • ► Improve visibility by removing buckthorn and other exotic species along the trail continued west of the park and create a landscape plan. ► Provide additional play equipment for young children. ► Providing bathrooms in the park would be a useful addition. ► Install more picnic tables and benches throughout the park. ► Enlarge and improve parking lot. COVER PARK ► Provide garbage containers,especially in the summer when the hockey rink is used to let dogs run. ► Improve existing warming house building. ► Construct a City-operated greenhouse attached to the warming house. ► Connect to the NSP property and Valley View Park by extending a trail from the cul-de-sac next to Cover Manor. ► Evaluate long-term uses with expansion of Valley View Park and development opportunities associated with MnDOT properties. ► Require the developer to provide a year-round community center/open air BOUTWELLS • shelter with bathrooms. PARK ► Provide a tot lot,play structure,and picnic tables. ► Develop the park in a way that allows sliding on the larger hills. ► Develop recreational programs. ► Encourage cross-country skiing by not clearing all of the trails in the winter. ► Provide trail connections to other areas of the City and the Environmental Learning Center. ► Provide gathering areas,benches,and shade trees. ► Create trail connections to the Central Business District from Boutwells Park TOWN CENTER and the trail that currently ends at Oakgreen Avenue. ► Design a town square with landscaping,fountains,a skating rink, benches/resting areas,waterways and other attractions. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 14 ► Cooperate with MN/DOT to construct a walking bridge or sidewalk as part of HIGHWAY 36 • bridge replacement across Highway 36 in eastern Oak Park Heights. ► MnDOT to beautify Highway 36 east of Norell Avenue by planting trees and shrubs on both sides of frontage roads. • Restore prairie areas where possible along the trail system. TRAIL ISSUES • Construct educational environmental kiosks and signs at Valley View Park,by City Hall,at Boutwells Park,and in other appropriate locations along the east/west trail corridor. ► Provide benches/resting areas along trails. ► link northern Oak Park Heights to the NSP property,Valley View Park,and Oak Park Elementary. ► Re-stripe the southern edge of the St.Croix Mall parking lot with a trail lane and stripe a crosswalk over Osgood with signage between Osgood and Valley View Park. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 15 The following trail issues were identified by the City Council in a special workshop held on 13 February 1995: Link Oak Park Heights to Stillwater and Bayport by way of MnDOT's proposed trail on NORTHERN OAK PARK Highway 95. HEIGHTS Link Sunnyside to MnDOT's trail and to the proposed Stillwater park on the existing Aiple Marine property.. link Sunnyside to the bluff area by way of lookout Trail. Find a way to link lookout Trail to the west via County 23,proposed frontage road,or 62nd Street. link the homes west of Osgood Avenue to the south and east and define the best trail route along one or both sides of Osgood Avenue. Provide access from the homes north of 62nd Street and east of Osgood Avenue to the area south of Highway 36 using either trail along 62nd,Oxboro Avenue,or possible re- • opening of Panama Avenue. link Lower Oak Park Heights(eastern residential neighborhoods) on the south side of EASTERN 59th Street to the rest of Oak Park Heights via a potential connection across the NSP OAK PARK Waste Disposal facility to the frontage road where it dead-ends at Club Tara. HEIGHTS MnDOT should provide a bike trail along the south side of Highway 36 from Club Tara to Osgood Avenue. Provide easy access to the Holiday Gas Station at the southeast corner of Osgood Avenue EAST OF and Highway 36 for the residents of this area to convenience food shop; potentially via OSGOOD &' internal traffic circulation using Osman Avenue,going behind Rapid Oil Change and SOUTH OF linking this to Greenbriar Apartments and Valley View Estates. HIGHWAY 36 Find a way for Valley View residents to access Valley View Park's developed area by way • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN The City approved MnDOT's conceptual plan to rely upon 58th Street as the primary off- FRONTAGE road trail area west of Oakgreen Avenue. Evaluate the proposed eight foot berm which ROADS could someday be used for Trail construction at the City's expense. Define where trails should be along the entire length of Highway 36 frontage roads. i • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 18 ISSUES AND ANALYSIS • This section of the Park and Trail Plan develops the Inventory information and specific concerns identified by the Park Commission and staff into a set of issues which the following Policy and System Plan sections will be designed to address. A comprehensive listing of issues helps bridge the gap between raw data collected through site analysis/meetings and plan development/prioritization. In other words, issues help to clarify the park and trail planning needs and desires of the community which the inventory work finds. Identify a planning process for review and update of the Park and Trail Plan. Review may PLANNING occur yearly, for instance, and comprehensive update of the Plan may occur every five ISSUES years. Future park and trail needs should be evaluated regularly by the Park Board in comparison to the Plan. Define the means by which public participation can be a regular part of the planning process (meetings,surveys,etc). Discuss the means by which to implement park/trail facilities(ie:policies vs.ordinances). • Encourage property owners to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. For example, land owners in more rural areas may be willing to give up a 10-20 foot strip of land along the periphery of their acreage for development of a trail. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts would or could be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Consider including a map of the City park and trail areas,along with proposed routes, within a newsletter on a yearly basis to make citizens more aware of recreational opportunities. Determine if and where the establishment of user fees may be appropriate. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 19 • Consider having a master plan prepared for each parcel of land intended for park purposes, PARK ISSUES to be used as a guide in the future development of such. It is crucial that the City plan for recreational facilities prior to the acquisition of land. Define park development priorities, ie: in new subdivisions, in older neighborhoods with lacking facilities,in regions expected to develop,improve existing parks,etc. Consider establishing more strict park dedication requirements which make it more or equally as profitable for developers to dedicate land instead of money. Determinewhether existing and proposed park areas are desired for year-round or seasonal usage and what effect this will have on park facilities and design. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening,landscaping,setbacks,etc. • Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. Identify in what park situations lighting would be appropriate or necessary. It is possible that this may only be accomplished as plans for each park or trail are established. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening, landscaping,setbacks,etc. Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 20 Discuss a system of signage which may serve to identify park areas,direct people to specific PARK ISSUES, uses,and outline rules of use. continued • Discuss the types of parks that the City wishes to establish and develop policies for each (see attached information). • Trail uses can vary greatly depending upon what is permitted by a municipality. Trail uses TRAIL ISSUES can be either functional,recreational or both. Walking,running,bicycling,roller skating, skiing,snowmobiling,and recreation vehicle trails are most common. It is beneficial in many cases to separate the active or motorized uses from passive (walking) uses. In developed areas it is wise to prohibit motorized trail usage altogether and instead allow it within rural areas as an interim use until such time as development occurs. The size of trails involves two factors: width and length. The minimum recommended width for multi-use trails is eight feet, although it is beneficial in many situations to provide increased width depending upon the use and location. The length of trails should be varied to provide choices for users. The location of trails within the community may be constructed in one of three general ways: I) on street, separated by a painted line, 2) off street, but parallel to the road • surface like a sidewalk, or 3) completely separated from the road and not necessarily parallel to it. Define how railroad rights-of-way and utility easements may be utilized as trail corridors. The surfacing of sidewalks or trails may be asphalt, concrete, brick, pavers, gravel, woodchip,or grass depending on what their intended use is. Trail signage should be considered for several purposes: I)to denote the type of trail and permitted uses,2)to give direction as to where they lead,and 3)to warn vehicles of trail crossings,on-street routes,etc.for safety purposes. Snow removal from trails is another issue which must be considered. The location,width, construction material,and use will all affect this decision. Many trails may be desirable during winter months if left unplowed for use by skiers,sleds,etc. Others which connect residential areas to schools or are heavily traveled by pedestrians for recreational purposes may best be kept free of snow and ice. A plan for removal should be coordinated with the 111 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 21 Discuss sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition of park and trail elements, ie: ACQUISITION 410 dedication monies,capital improvement program,bond issuance,grant programs,etc. ISSUES, continued Establish who is responsible for establishment of approved park or trail areas within subdivisions (developer or City). Discuss what amount of maintenance is possible at the current staff level and at what point DEVELOPMENT/ additional staff persons would be needed to maintain the recreational system as it grows. MAINTENANCE Do we want to allow only low maintenance facilities at the current time or do we have the ISSUES capability to maintain an intensely developed park system? Define ways in which to minimize park and trail costs, ie: construction of trails in conjunction with roadway improvements or at time of subdivision. • • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 23 RECREATION SYSTEM POLICIES No matter how well done a physical Park and Trail Plan may be,no plan can anticipate every eventuality. Growth in the City may occur in new locations which the Trail Plan cannot possibly anticipate or expect. Growth can also occur much faster or slower than the Plan contemplates. Even though the physical Park and Trail Plan does not provide for facilities in these new locations,the City's Comprehensive Recreation System Policies can still apply. Policies reflect the community's general treatment of its recreation services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development standards. Park and trail policies in this Plan were developed through the analysis of the issues identified in the Inventory and Issues Analysis phase of work. Additionally, the policies which were adopted as part of the City's 1991 Park Study for Newly Annexed Areas have been incorporated into the policy and park planning sections contained herein to create a single,comprehensive park/trail planning and development guide. As with any Policy Plan,it is important to read the statements together,rather than as disjoint declarations. Although unanticipated development may leave a map out of date, it is expected that the Policies are more enduring. The City should update the Policy Plan as new or amended policies are adopted. Develop an on-going planning process for the establishment of parks and trails which SYSTEM responds to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policies as well as those identified herein. POLICIES Identify present and future park/trail needs on a regular basis for evaluation by the Park Commission and City Council. Review the established park/trail plans on a yearly basis to ensure that needs and priorities are up to date. Establish a time period for comprehensive update of the plan. Prepare a master plan for each component of the park/trail system to be used as the basis for development. Promote public participation in the planning process via the Park Commission hosting a forum for open discussion of issues. Promote integration with other City activities,services,and facilities. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 24 Park and trail development should minimize impacts on adjacent properties through PROGRAMMING/ provisions for,but not limited to: DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, ► Adequate off-street parking continued ► Appropriate orientation and location of buildings and activity areas ► Screening,buffering,and landscaping ► Adequate setbacks and physical separation Coordinate facility development with the needs of community residents, Park Board services,athletic associations,civic groups,etc. Maximize park accessibility by city residents to best serve the area. Coordinate yearly park events. Consider the long term costs of maintenance and operation in a facility's design and development. Preserve existing physical site amentities (natural or man-made) and encourage the establishment of new site amenities when planning and developing park areas. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated or easements are established for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process. Establish park and trail facilities which provide recreational as well as functional uses. FACILITY PURPOSE & Provide varying types of trails to be used as the basis of planning and development for DESIGN the Multiple Use Trail System,defined as a comprehensive trail system for the integration of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses (pedestrian,bicycles, roller skating,cross country skiing,etc.). Grades of trails should not exceed five(5) percent to ensure handicapped accessibility or eight(8)to ten (10) percent for all other areas. Design and construct trails according to the standards established by the National Park and Recreation Association,the State Department of Transportation,and Rails-to-Trails • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 28 • Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean,orderly,controlled,safe,and MAINTENANCE attractive parks and trailways. Park maintenance and operation shall safeguard the &OPERATION physical condition of trailways from deterioration or damage due to weather,vandalism, or other natural or human causes. Develop a clear and concise system of park and trail graphics and signage that direct people along trails and into parks to specific points of interest. Define specific park and trail safety rules. Develop ways in which to promote citizen interest and involvement in the City's park and PUBLIC trail system. RELATIONS & COMMUNITY Publish a pamphlet that shows the trail routes, parks,service and public facilities. ISSUES Monitor characteristics of use,safety,and other factors periodically throughout the park and trail system. • Provide facilities/services to all residents of the community. Develop ways to organize recreation programs and facilities to maximize participation and overcome physical or economic limitations which may prevent equal opportunity, regardless of age, race,sex,religion,or place of residence. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 30 • • 0 Q 0_ —' 1I kb :1:N:1:■ I d 11111 -do q 3 -< I ilwa , N. fin ---- 1! 6 a 3 D o O X -s C 0 o ----p. IllIl ' y'' o Vii► im li '1 D It -7173 ollAik is proikiv,frii N , ,4111 IIIPil- ''' 4 r- I 1 11. 0,4 01•4%. RE ' z _•, ',�;— fikaa:..--.. 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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS • Oak Park Heights Parks Commission Kevin Furlong,Chair Margie Schwartzbauer Liz Weaver Dania Berger Gina Bias-Zeuli Oak Park Heights Mayor & City Council Mayor David D.Schaaf David Beaudet Lynae Byrne Mark Swenson Jerry Turnquist Oak Park Heights City Administrator • Thomas Melena Community Development Director Kris Danielson Public Works Director Jay Johnson CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN • RESOURCES Trails for the Twenty-First Century: Planning, Design & Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails. Edited by Karen-Lee Ryan, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Written by Charles A. Flink, Peter Lagerwey, Diana Balmori,and Robert M.Seams. Published by Island Press,Washington D.C., 1993 Recreation, Park & Open Space Standards & Guidelines. Edited by Roger A. Lancaster. Written and Published by the National Recreation& Park Association. Alexandria,VA, 1983 Park Planning Guidelines, Third Edition. By George E. Fogg. Written and Published by the National Recreation&Park Association. • Alexandria,VA, 1981 Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. Co-edited by Charles W. Harris&Nicholas T. Dines. Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York, 1988 • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN ii CONTENTS Introduction Park & Trail Inventory 2 Existing Parks 2 Existing&Proposed Park Components Chart 4 Maps of Existing Parks 5 Existing Trails 10 Map of Existing Trails I I Issues Identification 12 Parks Commission Issues 12 City Council Trail Issues 16 Issues and Analysis 19 Planning Issues 19 Park Issues 20 Trail Issues 21 Acquisition Issues 22 Development/Maintenance Issues 23 Recreation System Policies 24 System Policies 24 Acquisition Policies 25 Programming/Development Policies 26 Facility Purpose&Design 28 Maintenance&Operation 30 Public Relations&Community Issues 30 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN iii Trail Facilities Masterplan 31 Muti-Use Trail System 31 • On-Street Trails 32 Grade-Separated Trails 31 Overland Trails 31 Proposed Trail Routes 35 State Highway 36 Corridor 35 Oakgreen Avenue 36 Osgood Avenue 36 NSP Power Line Easement 37 Western Oak Park Heights 38 Central Oak Park Heights 39 Northeast Oak Park Heights 40 Southeast Oak Park Heights 40 Park and Trail Plan 42 Detailed Park and Trail Plan 43 Park Facilities Masterplan 44 Valley View Park 44 Brekke Park 45 Swager Park 45 Cover Park 46 Boutwells Park 47 Town Center 47 Potential Park and Recreation Areas 47 Proposed Park Plans 48 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN • iv Park Guidelines & Classification System 55 Neighborhood Playground 55 • Neighborhood Parks 56 Community Playfields 56 Community Parks 57 Mini-Parks or Tot Lots 58 Natural/Conservancy Area 58 Schools 58 City Park Service Areas Map 60 Implementation 61 Land Acquisition 61 Park&Trail Dedication Fees 61 Funding Options 61 Capital Improvement Process 65 Community Education 66 Signage 66 Appendix 67 Facilities Planning&Design Guidelines 67 • Trail Guidelines 67 Trail Design Standards 71 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN v INTRODUCTION • The Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan,adopted in 1999,indicates that a Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan will be completed in 1999. The Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan contains elements of the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail System Plan, 1995,and also looks at facilities in existing parks,potential for new parks,and provides a clear implementation plan. The Comprehensive Plan indicates that the City's population is aging with a growing number of two person households,where the children have left home. The City also has a growing amount of elderly housing. In recognition of the changing demographics of the community,this plan seeks to provide opportunities for recreation for all ages. The first section of the Park and Trail Plan is a description and summary of the background inventory that provides the basis for the Park and Trail Plan. The Inventory is followed by two chapters containing park and trail issues identified by the City Council, Park Commission,City staff,and other residents. The Issues Identification chapter contains issues identified for each park and area of the City. The Issues and Analysis chapter contains more general constraints and opportunities the City faces in the implementation of its park and trail system. The Recreation System Policies chapter contains policies that reflect the community's general treatment of its recreational services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development standards. The Recreational Facilities Masterplan follows the policies and provides the direction and recommendations for park and trail planning and development. The Proposed Multi-Use Trail Routes chapter identifies trail routes that are part of the City's recreational facilities improvement plan. The Planning 4, and Design Guidelines and Standards follow for parks and trails. Implementation is the final chapter of the Park and Trail Plan. Provide recreational facilities for all ages and areas of Oak Park Heights and link all parts MAIN GOAL of Oak Park Heights internally as well as to neighboring communities by a safe and convenient multi-use trail system. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN PARK & TRAIL INVENTORY The first step in determining the needs of the City's recreational system is the identification of the existing conditions. The existing park and trail facilities were identified through site inspections by City Staff,Park Commission members,and planning consultants. This identification process included both location, size and physical amenities of the facility in question,as well as the condition and level of development of the facility, both of which may affect eventual use of the park or trail sites. The items inventoried for each facility were gathered with the goal of being able to place the parks and trails in the context of a system of recreational opportunities. The baseline data provided in this effort helps the City to understand how its park and trail facilities fit together,and provides the information necessary to identify gaps or areas of need. The City of Oak Park Heights contains four established parks and one park that is in the EXISTING PARKS process of being developed. The parks vary in size, location,and service. Parks play an important role not only in their overall recreational benefit to the residents of Oak Park Heights but as a crucial destination point directly related to the establishment of trails. All are interrelated and each portion from the park land itself all the way down to a single picnic table or foot of trail plays an important role in completing a recreational link, therefore adding to the comprehensive system. • Valley View Park is the largest park within the City and is intended as a city-wide passive park for hikers,picnics and nature. It is viewed by the City as a very unique and positive amenity in the community given its dense vegetation,variation in topography,wetlands, and array of existing and potential uses. The park is an important link between the lower (east) portion of the City and Osgood Avenue (via its entrance drive, and/or through Brekke Heights or Valley View Estates residential subdivisions).Adjacent to the Valley View Park is the Northern States Power ash disposal facility. NSP will be closing portions of the disposal site beginning in 1999. The City has plans in cooperation with NSP to create a regional destination for residents as well as visitors to the St. Croix Valley integrated through trail connections with Valley View Park and the rest of the community. Brekke Park is a high quality,intensively utilized City park intended as an active area for field games and a playground area for toddler age and older. It is located adjacent to State of Minnesota land controlled by the Department of Natural Resources and serves as a community playfield for residents in the south central portion of the City, primarily between Osgood and Oakgreen Avenues. As stated in the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, in 10 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 2 1999,the City will actively be working with the Department of Natural Resources to release EXISTING the property to the south and allow for extension of the City. This area has potential for PARKS, ipreservation of open space and park land as well as a possible golf course/housing continued development. Swager Park serves as a neighborhood playground along the linear park system. The park is fairly centralized within the community and is located within a Northern States Power easement. A trail has been constructed within the easement from the east end of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. This trail has the potential to be extended all the way from Valley View Park to the high school and western City limits. The park is located to the west of the St.Croix Mall and has the potential serve employees and visitors of the mall if a trail connection is provided. Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for residents in the surrounding neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat segregated from the north and western portions of the City. Cover Park will not be impacted physically by the proposed Highway 36/95 bridge construction,but will ultimately lie in close proximity to the realigned intersection. Beach Road may be terminated,thus eliminating an existing connection to the northern part of the City,although access will be provided along 59th Street (east-west)between Highway 95 and the Osgood Avenue/Highway 36 commercial core and may ultimately connect with the NSP site. Peller Avenue will be designated as the • southerly access connecting Valley View Park and then through to the western portion of the City. Boutwells Park is a 24 acre park planned within the annexation area to the west of Oakgreen Avenue. The park will be developed as part of the Valley Senior Services Alliance, Boutwells Landing senior community project. The park will gain access from 58th Street and is intended to serve surrounding area neighborhoods. The park will also be the focal point for residents from all areas of the City given the proximity/potential connection to the high school and system of internal trails planned around the wetlands. The table on the following page provides an overview of the existing and planned park components/facilities within the community. Maps of existing parks and trails are provided following the existing and proposed park components table. 411 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 3 mmassar ,4 B Q k k k k k • ,_- kk �k k EXISTING PROPOSED k§ k x s x PARK zCOMPONENTS O 2 = = a_ _▪§ .1 x Z O �big 2 )1 k gg det a. k§_ — _ uj k§ %X§ '1 k � � O E E ^ a. O s 'a g- x sis gia §11. \ Z I— §■ v.) �s k LLI 2 .--- z_-, E = • Z ---§ k a. _ __ 2§ 1 1 x § LLI I _ ..2 - VD k q�§ �E@s . - I. ut en §� xk § beB §g §- —fes —)y g W ■� �x8 eke 'x8 k§ �� #riS V ¢ 8 X IV• CS = _ �■ 1._ •�_ k . O. § -- -- _ a =§ v�k§ ��k§ I 0 34u 2d 04 §k kk§ BCC f �E -§f— _—� _ �k _ &� ra� LI ¢ G • � 1 um 8 ra sc . — — — r.• s ss as h} k )0- � § �f • • • • i , State Highway 36 - 41111 NSP Ash / J--- i Disposal Site Cover • IIParklI I Ili 1 . l.__J I 1. ■ J c • lag11116 1t •1' . Trail Connection m IZ I ":l L O p J. L..i.a. c C ' o o '�� . 1.1 r1• IQ i� �,''y�N.:". Ow J?'1p 1. 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J.'1' _Valley View Park Road State Correctional Facility I • t#_ Valley View Park : z 49) A'� f v 0 150 300 FEET 1 `I%`�C Cityof Oak Park Heights Source:City Aerialf Oak PPhotogark Heights ars D of Oak Park Heights anuany poo6sO 0 I*I:1 lir d o ar NI d 2 aIli Y TD w • g d /` fi ` L C _ of 1`0 y �• 000000ilthil w o � � /0 O Y li i I I- o ihfl' I d L ac> 0 T1 1 C �� m r-0tam -. 17_6 1 . 17_ I I ! .-,g - L 1! a 1______ co 2 c 0 •E% •N•a/Al Jew00m 0) 0 d 47-- °0 :0 r P O t a cn 0 I 8d o x. �, v o c o0 o c 1 o o 0 0 0 0 0 O J HwEO O N • �- � n1 7 • (0 ct — d 0 12I N Et_ �I o Z 1 D. . 1 will ' y .---D W o. ca •••• ----NO 1 Og i al 0�m _ -‹ Z \...___V t... ie • \$>:... 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City of Oak Park Heights Van Accessible Handicapped Parking Cover Park • Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 City of Oak Park Heights 8 Brackey Addition j • 5811'Street North •1 ______- • t, \',;1';11\ ` ," ` ; 1 1 1 l 1, .' s'"?,c' VI , . 1.44,....„.. ' ' •\ ‘‘ , \ liaif ' ...-------- , ., ,.., s‘s .,, ... . roiiir ..„ • . . , 1.. . „ Ns \\‘'s ,.. I / t -1 ;'l,��\1'...� ,�;l ,11,1 , { , 1 (. cCI? ,' .,\\••` ,N� 1\ — ' I I St Fr% : ‹_,. ., t.. ..: .. _• . 1 , ; , . \ ,, , .. , ;�- - : t Irk--- - - - __—�� i-� ',�j f ' ''� I Q 1 -- „• ' •• / '- , - i / 11 , .ij ._ _'_ '-- • ,'',/ { 1 l i r �f `s o ,•'-- _ ', , , I , '1',{�1 `,`, ,` 1 I i ',1{ I I11 \ ` e** �` \ • :''111 NI I \\ / I / * IL , .,, ,, „...../ .:.....i ip,„ , s sJa:-Q_ 9_____ - - _ ____-- , __ . . .,/ lot*, • , ,,, 444‘ At / :„,...... .,„..._,:., , , , _. (t.R **4 r ' "3(\--Environmental Learning Center. / /*/ °_ -� Boutwells Park 0 100 200 FEET CO City of Oak Park Heights NFAC Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 Senior Life Community Plans,1998 • 9 A number of trails have been constructed in Oak Park Heights in the past few years and EXISTING 41111 more construction is planned. In 1995,when the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian TRAILS Trail System Plan was completed, the only trail routes available were a few sidewalks located in the area adjacent to the City of Stillwater and trail connections to existing parks. Since then,a number of trail segments have been completed. In 1991 a trail was constructed in central Oak Park Heights within a Northern States Power easement. This trail runs from the east side of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue North. The trail is heavily used and has potential for extension to both the east and west. In western Oak Park Heights, trails have also been constructed or are in the process of being constructed between Oakgreen Avenue and State Highway 5 along 58th Street and between Norell Avenue and 58th Street along Highway 36. A strip of open space 150 feet wide is provided along a portion of the 58th Street trail west of Oakgreen Avenue. In eastern Oak Park Heights,a short trail has been constructed next to a wetland to connect Stagecoach Trail (CSAH 21)with 58th Street North. In addition to these trails,trail entrances into City parks connect 57d' Street North to Swager Park,connect 55th Street North to Brekke Park,and connect Ozark Avenue and sr Street North to Valley View Park. • Washington County includes two trail corridor links through Oak Park Heights as secondary trail components of the county-wide system. The trails are designated along State Highway 95(St.Croix Trail North) and County Highway 21 (Stagecoach Trail North) which both run in a north-south configuration. The Highway 95 route runs parallel to the river and is the most heavily used route by bicyclists who travel south though Bayport and is a high priority bicycle route for the County. The Highway 21 route splits off from Highway 95 in southern Oak Park Heights and runs more inland than the Highway 95 trail through scenic areas of West Lakeland Township and Afton. Washington County also plans to utilize the shoulders along Osgood Avenue as part of the secondary trail route. The following map identifies existing trails in Oak Park Heights. 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ISSUES ► Develop recreational and environmental education programs to familiarize people with the parks. ► A system of signage to identify parks and graphically inform people about the location and extent of park and trail facilities is needed. ► Create Oak Park Heights monument signs with plantings welcoming visitors to the City. ► Link all parks within the City through a system of trails. ► Year-round parking and indoor recreational facilities are needed. ► Plan for parks as a unified system with consistent hours of operation. ► Continue to explore joint park use with Oak Park Elementary and adjacent facilities. ► Welcome the public to the park with an inviting landscaped entry. (Potential for VALLEY VIEW cooperation with the garden club.) PARK ► Identify park boundaries and aid visitors in locating picnic and trail facilities with improved signage. ► Allow safe access to the lower area of the park with an improved trail system. ► Provide trail connections to the east with a bridge across the wetland area. ► Maintain a natural aesthetic in the park,including trails that are integrated with the contour of the land and wood chip paths. ► Consider handicapped accessibility in all decisions regarding trail and bridge facilities. ► Develop recreation and environmental education programs that would familiarize people with the park. ► Consider the park as a gateway to the community. ► Develop the Northern States Power property adjacent to the park as the disposal CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 11 facility closes to create a year-round regional destination integrated through trail VALLEY VIEW connections with Valley View Park and the rest of the community. PARK, continued ► Work with the DNR to build additional ball fields, a golf course, and a club BREKKE PARK house/concession stand on DNR land south of Brekke Park. ► Maintain longer bathroom hours (with an attendant to prevent vandalism). ► Explore trail/road access from the DNR land,even if additional facilities are not built there. ► Explore expansion and improvements to the existing Brekke Park picnic shelter. ► Consider options for better accessibility to the lower level of the park shelter. ► Improve the park through identification and directional signage. ► Construct a hard surface under the hockey rink to provide a better and more long lasting ice surface in the winter and to provide a skateboard/rollerblade area in the warmer months. ► Consider improvements described in the DNR grant proposal of 1996 including the following: ► A trail with an east/west orientation along the parking lot and northern edge of the park. ► Additional facilities in the eastern portion of the park including a picnic 411 shelter,landforms,tricycle raceway,and plantings. ► Reconfigure/move basketball court. ► Improve identification signage. SWAGER PARK ► Improve trail entrances to the park,especially the access from the St.Croix Mall parking lot. ► Improve parking area. ► Consider the park as a linear park segment within the trail system, rather than as a destination in itself. ► Create a unified theme throughout the park. ► Create a landscaping plan that provides additional trees and shrubs. ► Provide benches throughout the park. ► Plant 16 small trees provided through an NSP grant. ► Install tree/fence screening along the northern boundary of the park. ► Upgrade tennis courts. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 13 ► Provide lighting along trail. SWAGER PARK, ► Improve visibility by removing buckthorn and other exotic species along the trail continued • west of the park and create a landscape plan. ► Provide additional play equipment for young children. ► Providing bathrooms in the park would be a useful addition. ► Install more picnic tables and benches throughout the park. ► Enlarge and improve parking lot. COVER PARK ► Provide garbage containers, especially in the summer when the hockey rink is used to let dogs run. ► Improve existing warming house building. ► Construct a City-operated greenhouse attached to the warming house. ► Connect to the NSP property and Valley View Park by extending a trail from the cul-de-sac next to Cover Manor. ► Evaluate long-term uses with expansion of Valley View Park and development opportunities associated with MnDOT properties. ► Require the developer to provide a year-round community center/open air shelter BOUTWELLS • with bathrooms. PARK ► Provide a tot lot, play structure,and picnic tables. ► Develop the park in a way that allows sliding on the larger hills. ► Develop recreational programs. ► Encourage cross-country skiing by not clearing all of the trails in the winter. ► Provide trail connections to other areas of the City and the Environmental Learning Center. ► Provide gathering areas,benches,and shade trees. ► Create trail connections to the Central Business District from Boutwells Park and TOWN CENTER the trail that currently ends at Oakgreen Avenue. ► Design a town square with landscaping,fountains,a skating rink,benches/resting areas,waterways and other attractions. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 14 ► Cooperate with MN/DOT to construct a walking bridge or sidewalk as part of HIGHWAY 36 • bridge replacement across Highway 36 near the Central Business District and in eastern Oak Park Heights. • MnDOT to beautify Highway 36 east of Norell Avenue by planting trees and shrubs on both sides of frontage roads. ► Restore prairie areas where possible along the trail system. TRAIL ISSUES ► Construct educational environmental kiosks and signs at Valley View Park,by City Hall,at Boutwells Park,and in other appropriate locations along the east/west trail corridor. ► Provide benches/resting areas along trails. ► link northern Oak Park Heights to the NSP property,Valley View Park,and Oak Park Elementary. ► Re-stripe the southern edge of the St.Croix Mall parking lot with a trail lane and stripe a crosswalk over Osgood with signage between Osgood and Valley View Park. • • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLANI The following trail issues were identified by the City Council in a special workshop held on February 13, 1995: Link Oak Park Heights to Stillwater and Bayport by way of MnDOT's proposed trail on NORTHERN Highway 95. OAK PARK HEIGHTS Link Sunnyside to MnDOT's trail and to the proposed Stillwater park on the existing Aiple Marine property. Link Sunnyside to the bluff area by way of Lookout Trail. Find a way to link Lookout Trail to the west via County 23, proposed frontage road, or 62nd Street. Link the homes west of Osgood Avenue to the south and east and define the best trail route along one or both sides of Osgood Avenue. Provide access from the homes north of 62nd Street and east of Osgood Avenue to the area south of Highway 36 using either trail along 61nd,Oxboro Avenue,or possible re-opening of Panama Avenue. Link Lower Oak Park Heights(eastern residential neighborhoods)on the south side of 59th EASTERN Street to the rest of Oak Park Heights via a potential connection across the NSP Waste OAK PARK Disposal Facility to the frontage road where it dead-ends at Club Tara. HEIGHTS MnDOT should provide a bike trail along the south side of Highway 36 from Club Tara to Osgood Avenue. Provide easy access to the Holiday Gas Station at the southeast corner of Osgood Avenue EAST OF and Highway 36 for the residents of this area to convenience food shop; potentially via OSGOOD & internal traffic circulation using Osman Avenue,going behind Rapid Oil Change and linking SOUTH OF this to Greenbriar Apartments and Valley View Estates. HIGHWAY 36 Find a way for Valley View residents to access Valley View Park's developed area by way of • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK 8 TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 16 a paved trail coming out to Osgood Avenue and going in by way of 56th Street. EAST OF • OSGOOD & Provide access for those residents east of Osgood Avenue to safely cross Osgood Avenue and SOUTH OF access the mall,Swager Park,and Brekke Park. HIGHWAY 36, continued Define where the designated crosswalk(s) should be south of Highway 36 on Osgood Avenue. Utilize the NSP easement as an east-west link through the City. Explore using the mall NSP EASEMENT parking lot as a link and evaluate the potential impacts to the parking lot. Address the issue of pedestrians and bicyclists using the mall entrance at the same time as vehicles. Connect the Pondview Condominiums at the southwest corner of Highway 36 and Oakgreen OAKGREEN Avenue to the rest of the community. AVENUE & VICINITY Connect the NSP easement trail with the frontage road intersection at Oakgreen Avenue. Connect the NSP easement trail with the entrance for the proposed 58th Street and the trail along Oakgreen Avenue to the south. Investigate the possibility of crossing Oakgreen Avenue at the NSP easement/frontage road intersection and continuing further west in the narrow strip of land known as Registered Land Survey No. 114,Tract A,then cut south to connect with 58th Street. Study the need for trail(s) along one or both sides of Oakgreen Avenue. Determine whether 58th Street or some other location such as 55th Street is the best place to cross Oakgreen Avenue. Define whether trails along 58th Street will adequately serve the annexation area between Oakgreen Avenue and the high school. link Baytown Township with the proposed annexation area park and connect the park and high school to all surrounding area communities. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 17 The City approved MnDOT's conceptual plan to rely upon 58th Street as the primary off- FRONTAGE • road trail area west of Oakgreen Avenue. ROADS Define where trails should be along the entire length of Highway 36 frontage roads. S • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 18 ISSUES AND ANALYSIS • This section of the Park and Trail Plan develops the Inventory information and specific concerns identified by the Park Commission and staff into a set of issues which the following Policy and System Plan sections will be designed to address. A comprehensive listing of issues helps bridge the gap between raw data collected through site analysis/meetings and plan development/prioritization. In other words, issues help to clarify the park and trail planning needs and desires of the community which the inventory work finds. Identify a planning process for review and update of the Park and Trail Plan. Review may PLANNING occur yearly, for instance, and comprehensive update of the Plan may occur every five ISSUES years. Future park and trail needs should be evaluated regularly by the Parks Commission in comparison to the Plan. Define the means by which public participation can be a regular part of the planning process (meetings,surveys,etc). Discuss the means by which to implement park/trail facilities(ie:policies vs.ordinances). • Encourage property owners to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. For example, land owners in more rural areas may be willing to give up a 10-20 foot strip of land along the periphery of their acreage for development of a trail. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts would or could be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Consider including a map of the City park and trail areas, along with proposed routes, within a newsletter on a yearly basis to make citizens more aware of recreational opportunities. Determine if and where the establishment of user fees may be appropriate. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 19 Consider having a master plan prepared for each parcel of land intended for park purposes, PARK ISSUES • to be used as a guide in the future development of such. It is crucial that the City plan for recreational facilities prior to the acquisition of land. Define park development priorities, ie: in new subdivisions, in older neighborhoods with lacking facilities,in regions expected to develop, improve existing parks,etc. Consider establishing more strict park dedication requirements which make it more or equally as profitable for developers to dedicate land instead of money. Determine whether existing and proposed park areas are desired for year-round or seasonal usage and what effect this will have on park facilities and design. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening,landscaping,setbacks,etc. • Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. Identify in what park situations lighting would be appropriate or necessary. It is possible that this may only be accomplished as plans for each park or trail are established, Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening,landscaping,setbacks,etc. Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 20 Discuss a system of signage which may serve to identify park areas,direct people to specific PARK ISSUES, uses,and outline rules of use. continued • Discuss the types of parks that the City wishes to establish and develop policies for each (see attached information). Trail uses can vary greatly depending upon what is permitted by a municipality. Trail uses TRAIL ISSUES can be either functional,recreational or both. Walking,running,bicycling,roller skating, skiing,snowmobiling,and recreation vehicle trails are most common. It is beneficial in many cases to separate the active or motorized uses from passive (walking) uses. In developed areas it is wise to prohibit motorized trail usage altogether and instead allow it within rural areas as an interim use until such time as development occurs. The size of trails involves two factors:width and length. The minimum recommended width for multi-use trails is eight feet, although it is beneficial in many situations to provide increased width depending upon the use and location. The length of trails should be varied to provide choices for users. The location of trails within the community may be constructed in one of three general ways: I) on street, separated by a painted line, 2) off street, but parallel to the road • surface like a sidewalk, or 3) completely separated from the road and not necessarily parallel to it. Define how railroad rights-of-way and utility easements may be utilized as trail corridors. The surfacing of sidewalks or trails may be asphalt, concrete, brick, pavers, gravel, woodchip,or grass depending on what their intended use is. Trail signage should be considered for several purposes: I)to denote the type of trail and permitted uses,2)to give direction as to where they lead,and 3)to warn vehicles of trail crossings,on-street routes,etc.for safety purposes. Snow removal from trails is another issue which must be considered. The location,width, construction material,and use will all affect this decision. Many trails may be desirable during winter months if left unplowed for use by skiers,sleds,etc. Others which connect residential areas to schools or are heavily traveled by pedestrians for recreational purposes may best be kept free of snow and ice. A plan for removal should be coordinated with the CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 21 maintenance department which identifies high priority trails which demand immediate TRAIL ISSUES, snow removal attention and those which are given attention only when time allows. continued • Lighting of trail corridors is an important factor which extends the usable time for residents'use as well as aiding in the prevention of serious accidents and crime. It allows the police visibility into many areas as part of their routine surveillance. The types of lighting varies widely and is available for all situations, but in some cases lighting may only be desired as a secondary benefit from street lights which already exist. Handicapped access to at least a portion of City trails is an important issue to think about. Keep in mind the surfacing,length/width,and slope of trails to be utilized by wheelchairs. It may be beneficial to establish a policy for the establishment of handicapped accessible trails;for instance:50 percent of all trails constructed must be designed to accommodate the disabled. The types of auxiliary or support elements which can be provided in association with trail corridors is also an issue. Benches,picnic tables,water fountains,exercise courses,and the like may be positive additions to the City trail routes and possibly become a standard in some areas. Consider establishing a system for dedication of trail corridors or monies. • Identify the acquisition means for parks/trails(ie:dedication,purchase,eminent domain, ACQUISITION donation),when each system is appropriate and what will be the priority process. ISSUES Outlots vs. easements, what is more appropriate when land is dedicated as part of a subdivision? Work with the City Engineer to define the ROW widths that are necessary to establish trails along designated roadways;for instance:an eight(8)foot trail necessitates a fifteen(15) foot easement and ten (10) foot level bench (construction) area. Many times additional temporary easement area is needed to grade surrounding areas. Define the minimum width necessary for park access within a subdivision when located between two lots, as well as the screening/buffering and maintenance requirements (property owners may mow the grass up to the trail,but not want responsibility for tree and shrub care). 411 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 22 Discuss sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition of park and trail elements, ie: ACQUISITION dedication monies,capital improvement program, bond issuance,grant programs,etc. ISSUES, Establish who is responsible for establishment of approved park or trail areas within continued subdivisions (developer or City). Discuss what amount of maintenance is possible at the current staff level and at what point DEVELOPMENT/ additional staff persons would be needed to maintain the recreational system as it grows. MAINTENANCE Do we want to allow only low maintenance facilities at the current time or do we have the capability to maintain an intensely developed park system? ISSUES Define ways in which to minimize park and trail costs, ie: construction of trails in conjunction with roadway improvements or at time of subdivision. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 23 RECREATION SYSTEM POLICIES • No matter how well done a physical Park and Trail Plan may be,no plan can anticipate every eventuality. Growth in the City may occur in new locations which the Trail Plan cannot possibly anticipate or expect. Growth can also occur much faster or slower than the Plan contemplates. Even though the physical Park and Trail Plan does not provide for facilities in these new locations,the City's Comprehensive Recreation System Policies can still apply. Policies reflect the community's general treatment of its recreation services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development standards. Park and trail policies in this Plan were developed through the analysis of the issues identified in the Inventory and Issues Analysis phase of work. Additionally, the policies which were adopted as part of the City's 1991 Park Study for Newly Annexed Areas have been incorporated into the policy and park planning sections contained herein to create a single,comprehensive park/trail planning and development guide. As with any Policy Plan,it is important to read the statements together,rather than as disjoint declarations. Although unanticipated development may leave a map out of date, it is expected that the Policies are more enduring. The City should update the Policy Plan as new or amended policies are adopted. Develop an on-going planning process for the establishment of parks and trails which SYSTEM 4110 responds to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policies as well as those identified herein. POLICIES Identify present and future park/trail needs on a regular basis for evaluation by the Park Commission and City Council. Review the established park/trail plans on a yearly basis to ensure that needs and priorities are up to date. Establish a time period for comprehensive update of the plan. Prepare a master plan for each component of the park/trail system to be used as the basis for development. Promote public participation in the planning process via the Park Commission hosting a forum for open discussion of issues. Promote integration with other City activities,services,and facilities. 4111/ CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 24 Identify the means by which to implement park/trail administration and operations (le: SYSTEM by the Park Commission and City Council policies,procedures,and ordinances). POLICIES, • continued Acquire park/trail facilities to satisfy the recreational and transportation needs of the ACQUISITION residents on both a neighborhood and community-wide basis. POLICIES Identify means for park/trail acquisition, ie: dedication, purchase, eminent domain, donation. Identify means for establishment of park/trail facilities within subdivisions, ie: outlots, easements,etc. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process (see development standards contained herein). Identify sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition, ie: trail dedication fund,capital improvement program,bond issuance,grant programs,etc. Establish who is responsible for park/trail construction within subdivisions. Determine to what extent wetlands, drainage ways, floodplain areas, etc. should be accepted as part of park and trail dedication within subdivisions. Besides the standard programs and facilities typically recognized by the City,consideration should be given to the following areas: ► Areas for nature preservation ► Historic preservation ► Cultural enrichment ► facilities for the handicapped/disabled ► Public activity areas and facilities in employment centers ► Organized sports and recreational activities ► Teen programs and facilities ► Senior citizen programs and facilities • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 15 The inclusion of environmentally sensitive areas (lake frontage, forests, native prairie, • bluffs, unique vegetative associations, etc.) into park or trail facilities should be ACQUISITION considered to contribute to the overall recreation .s stemPOLICIES, y continued Consider acquiring land for parks/trails at an early date to meet long range needs before development pressures render the property too expensive. Consider accepting park land dedications consistent with the adopted park/trails plan and accepting only cash in areas which serve no system purpose. Consider crediting for dedication of park and trail lands only those parcels which are not within delineated wetlands or which include slopes of no more than twelve(12) percent. Create and maintain an attractive,diverse,and interesting system of urban parks/trails. PROGRAMMING/ Create a City-wide park and trail system designed to minimize conflicts between DEVELOPMENT pedestrians and motor vehicles. POLICIES Minimize park and trail construction costs by constructing trails in conjunction with state, • county,and city street improvements. Parks and trails constructed on a priority basis, according to capital improvement plan/available funds;trail priorities may be: Trails along major streets which focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety and which provide direct access to city/regional destinations and parks. Trails that will serve the most intensely used areas. • Trail construction within existing parks and upon municipal property. P • Trail inclusion within new park/subdivision development. • Completion of links between existing trails and other communities. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 26 Park priorities may be: PROGRAMMING/ • DEVELOPMENT ► Establishment of parks in association with new subdivisions. POLICIES, Establishment of parks in undeveloped areas or newer parts of the City. continued ► Creation of neighborhood and community-wide parks. ► Develop existing vacant parks. Upgrade/improve upon existing park equipment. Utilize railroad and/or utility rights-of-way for trails or linear parks. Identify types of financing to be utilized for park/trail acquisition and development. Review park dedication fees in comparison to surrounding areas and in regard to the cities needs (land vs.cash). Encourage the private sector to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. • Provide support facilities in conjunction with trail development. Fully organize and outline new recreation programs prior to initiation and implementation. Determine where the establishment of user fees is appropriate to combat recreation costs. Determine under what circumstances unsolicited gifts and donations will be accepted if they are free of obligations or potential future impacts. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts will be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Active use recreation areas should be designed for year-round use with an established system of maintenance. Park and playground buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities with regard to scale,design,color,setbacks,and materials. 41) CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 27 Park and trail development should minimize impacts on adjacent properties through PROGRAMMING/ • provisions for, but not limited to: DEVELOPMENT POLICIES Adequate off-street parking ' Appropriate orientation and location of buildings and activity areas continued ► Screening, buffering,and landscaping Adequate setbacks and physical separation Coordinate facility development with the needs of community residents,Parks Commission services,athletic associations,civic groups,etc. Maximize park accessibility by city residents to best serve the area. Coordinate yearly park events. Consider the long term costs of maintenance and operation in a facility's design and development. Preserve existing physical site amentities (natural or man-made) and encourage the establishment of new site amenities when planning and developing park areas. IDEnsure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated or easements are established for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process. Establish park and trail facilities which provide recreational as well as functional uses. FACILITY Provide vaintypes of trails to be used as the basis of planning and development forthe PURPOSE varying DESIGN Multiple Use Trail System, defined as a comprehensive trail system for the integration of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses(pedestrian,bicycles,roller skating,cross country skiing,etc.). Grades of trails should not exceed five(5)percent to ensure handicapped accessibility or eight(8)to ten (10) percent for all other areas. Design and construct trails according to the standards established by the National Park and Recreation Association,the State Department of Transportation,and Rails-to-Trails • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 28 Conservancy(see Trail Design Standards attached herein). FACILITY • Land for parks will be acquired,planned and developed according to the Park Classification PURPOSE DESIGN, System contained herein which specify the appropriate sizes, locations,service areas and continued n equipment to best serve the City. nued Prior to the development of each park area,a design plan will be prepared which shows the types,locations and sizes of proposed facilities and estimated costs. Park facilities and buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities with regard to scale,design,color,setbacks,and materials. Maximize park accessibilitiy by city residents to best serve the area in which the facitility is located by requiring either vehicular or pedestrian access or both(depending on the size and classification of the park.) Promote and encourage the utilization of bicycle and pedestrian corridors as ski touring or sledding routes during the snow season and consider other possible uses of such corridors when safe and proper. Maintain all trails in good repair and ensure that designated trail segments are kept open 40 and clear of snow throughout the year unless designated as winter use trails. Consideration shall be given to safety,visibility, and emergency access into parks when acquiring land or planning for their development. Neither snowmobiles nor any other motorized vehicles shall not be allowed within or upon City park or trail areas as designated by Ordinance. Bicycles shall only be allowed upon paved surfaces within the City as designated by Ordinance. Mountain biking is allowed on trails designated for this purpose. Develop policies for all terrain vehicle,mountain bike,and in-line skate usage. Define the types of parks which exist and are to be established in the City and develop policies for each (see Park Design Standards herein). • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 29 Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean,orderly,controlled,safe,and MAINTENANCE • attractive parks and trailways. Park maintenance and operation shall safeguard the & OPERATION physical condition of trailways from deterioration or damage due to weather,vandalism, or other natural or human causes. Develop a clear and concise system of park and trail graphics and signage that direct people along trails and into parks to specific points of interest. Define specific park and trail safety rules. Develop ways in which to promote citizen interest and involvement in the City's park and PUBLIC trail system. RELATIONS & Publish a pamphlet that shows the trail routes,parks,service and public facilities. COMMUNITY ISSUES Monitor characteristics of use,safety,and other factors periodically throughout the park and trail system. • Provide facilities/services to all residents of the community. Develop ways to organize recreation programs and facilities to maximize participation and overcome physical or economic limitations which may prevent equal opportunity, regardless of age,race,sex,religion,or place of residence. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 30 TRAIL FACILITIES MASTERPLAN • The focus of the Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan is to establish and develop lands devoted to public use to service and physically link all areas of the community. The plan indicates the optimum location of future trail and park facilities, in relation to existing City recreational elements. While the chosen locations for park and trail development are based on a multitude of factors, including existing and anticipated subdivisions, residential distribution, neighborhood size, available access, and local/regional facilities, the primary intent of the Plan is to provide an equitable recreational structure based on park/trail types,functions,and service area/convenient access. Thus,both the Plan text and map graphics simultaneously guide all future trail/park planning and development. The graphic masterplan which follows identifies the varying types of trail facilities within MULTI-USE what we will call a multiple-use trail system, made up of a variety of compatible non- TRAIL motorized trail uses traversing upon multi-use/shared trail corridors including grade- TRAIL separated trails/sidewalks, overland trails, and on-street trails. Multi-use trail systems SYSTEM invite various users - including walkers, joggers, bicyclists, roller and in-line skaters, people in wheelchairs,cross-country skiers,hikers,bird watchers,parents with strollers, and others-to share a trail corridor collectively. Throughout the planning,design,and implementation of multiple-use corridors,the assorted needs of the trail users as well as the various communities and landscapes through which they pass need to be taken into account. Coupled with these recreational uses is the functional role of virtually all multi-use trails. Whether used for a shortcut to the store, for a leisurely walk,or for a 20-mile commute to work,these trails serve an important transportation purpose. Because of their linear nature, multi-use trails connect things together - neighborhoods to community and cultural resources, towns to other populated areas, or city centers to country sides - intrinsically serving as transportation corridors. Multi-use trails, which typically cut through diverse areas,have the ability to connect historic structures to new ones,young persons to elderly,busy highways to local streets and individual residences, etc.through a common goal of creating a neighborhood amenity. Trail corridors also preserve open space, promote non-polluting methods of transportation,and can generally enhance the quality of life for local residents. The various types of multi-use trails are described in the following paragraphs and are graphically depicted on the Park and Trail Plan which follows. 4111 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 31 On-street trails share the same paved surface as the roadway that they follow. They are ON-STREET designed for multiple uses and should be a minimum of eight(8)to ten (10)feet wide for gra two-way traffic or four (4)to five (5) feet wide on both sides of the street for one-way TRAILS traffic. In residential areas(local streets)they may be unmarked,paved with a stripe,or identified by a sign. On-street trails associated with collector or arterial streets or highways should always have a specially marked shoulder area and/or be sign identified. Grade-separated trails/sidewalks are separated from the adjacent roadway by a(varying GRADE- width)strip of land/plantings or physical structure. They are designed for the integration SEPARATED of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses. They shall be bituminous trailways TRAILS having a minimum trail width of eight (8) feet for two-way traffic and generally follow street rights-of-way. The existing sidewalks fall into this category but may only be four (4) to five (5) foot wide concrete or asphalt pedestrian trails in established residential areas. Overland trailways shall provide a minimum of a ten foot wide bituminous trailway with OVERLAND a significantly wider right-of-way and shall be located away from the street corridors,not typically parallel to the street surface. They should be designed to incorporate vegetation, �� 4I) seating,and other supporting site elements and may serve a dual purpose as a buffer strip or separated bikeway. Abandoned railroad rights-of-way and many utility easements fall into this category. Overland trails are intended to traverse across open land or through developments without proximity to streets. They are positive in that direct connection can be made between two or more destination points where road rights-of-way are non-existent or can be developed with regard to the natural characteristics of the areas,resulting in a more aesthetic trail setting. They should be designed to incorporate vegetation,seating,and other supporting site elements and may serve a dual purpose as a buffer strip, linear park or separated bikeway. The overland trail widths can vary along certain segments where a more narrow trail corridor may be needed through a residential area or where a wider trail corridor would positively provide a buffer zone between differing development types, from unwelcome sites,etc. Utility easements and abandoned railroad rights-of-way provide an attractive potential for overland trails away from other modes of traffic. Oak Park Heights has two CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 31 major utility(NSP)easements and a rail line which runs parallel to the river(although still OVERLAND in use at this time, it provides potential for future recreational uses). In evaluating a TRAILS • utility easement for possible trail use,several items must be considered: ' continued Easement routes that are in close proximity to streets would tend to duplicate trail routes proposed along the street. While utility companies are generally cooperative in the use of the utility easements for local pedestrian/bicycle trails,it is not unusual for these companies to place user restrictions on trails to insure easement maintenance and safety. The easement width becomes a critical factor in the use of utility easements for overland trails. The easement must have sufficient width for trail development without interfering with utility maintenance. Also,the utility easement width will determine the amount of available setback the trail will have from adjacent land uses. The land use development adjacent to a utility easement also influences the desirability of using the easement for an overland trail corridor. Generally, easements in developed areas of the City follow street rights-of-way or lot line arrangements. Trail developments can be viewed as an intrusion in areas of urban development where an adequate setback separation between the trail and land uses cannot be achieved. The easement represents only a utility company's right to use the property for the utility purpose. The utility company does not hold fee ownership of the land in easement. Fee ownership of the land in the easement typically belongs to the property owner abutting the easement. Acquisition of the easement for trail use would best occur as a trail dedication at the time of final platting. In areas already developed, easement acquisition for trail use is complicated by the multitude of property owners. Trail development along utility easements can be more expensive, as it is a separate construction project requiring the breaking of new ground in areas not readily accessible. Trails developed in street rights-of-way can be constructed in conjunction with street improvements. 411 CITY OF OAK PARK 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM (PLAN 33 Trails along utility easements may result in a number of street crossings at OVERLAND uncontrolled areas of the street which can present the potential for hazardous TRAILS, • conflicts between motorists and trail users if not designed properly. continued • • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 34 PROPOSED TRAIL ROUTES ES The City of Oak Park Heights Parks Commission and City Council, together with the help of planning and engineering consultants,have identified the following trail routes as part of the City's recreational facilities improvement plan. The Park and Trail Plan is intended to be a long-term guide for the implementation of a system of multi-use trails and park areas within the City. The plan is reflective of the City's goal to link all parts of Oak Park Heights by a safe and convenient grade-separated (off-road) trail system. While this may not be feasible in all areas in the short-term, it stands as the aspiration toward which to work in years to come. As today's priority trail routes and immediate recreational needs become reality,other recreational segments will move forward as the next priority,thus moving toward a comprehensive system of parks and trails. North Frontage Road. The north frontage road is planned to encompass the entire length STATE of Highway 36 through Oak Park Heights from the western City limits to its intersections with both Highway 95 and Lookout Trail. Along both sides of the frontage road,a six(6) HIGOWAD 36 foot paved shoulder will be provided by MnDOT in association with the upgrade of Highway CORRIDOR 36. Where the frontage road swings out away from the highway corridor at the Oakgreen and Osgood Avenue intersections, a four (4) foot sidewalk closes the gap and provides access from the frontage road across the highway as well as to the proposed trails along Oakgreen and Osgood Avenues. South Fronta a Road. The south frontage road is planned to encompass the entire length of Highway 36 through Oak Park Heights from the western City limits to the Club Tara establishment and NSP property on the east side of Osgood Avenue. A grade-separated trail is existing along the frontage road from 58th Street to Norell Avenue. From Norell Avenue east,a six (6) foot paved shoulder along both sides of the frontage road will be provided by MnDOT in association with the upgrade of Highway 36. An overland trail is expected on or near the frontage road from Osgood Avenue east to Stagecoach Trail. As with the north frontage road, where the south frontage road swings out away from the Highway 36 corridor at the Oakgreen and Osgood Avenue intersections,a four (4) foot sidewalk closes the gap and provides access from the frontage road across the highway as well as to the proposed trails along Oakgreen and Osgood Avenues. At the present time, focus will be on the new 58th Street as the main east-west connection via a planned grade- separated trail. • CITY OF OAK GHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL PSYSTEM (PLAN 35 • Oakgreen Avenue is a highly used north-south collector street within the City which OAKGRE encompasses about three-quarters of a mile south of Highway 36. Reconstruction of EE Oakgreen Avenue from Highway 36 through Oak Park Heights will allow for construction AVENUE of an off-street trail, likely on the east side, by Washington County. The County has proposed this reconstruction for the year 1000. Development of an off-street trail along Oakgreen Avenue will provide important connections for Highway 36,to the existing NSP Trail,and to 58th Street. As part of the 1995 Trail System Plan,the joint Oak Park Heights-Baytown Township Trail Committee agreed to establish a ten to twelve(10-12)foot overland trail behind the homes on the west side of Oakgreen Avenue between the overland trail planned within the NSP easement and the new 58th Street. The overland trail, with its wide right-of-way (undetermined at this time) and associated landscape improvements,would double as a buffer zone from the anticipated multiple family or commercial development behind these homes. It will be necessary to obtain an easement or land dedication from the owner when this land is platted. The intersection of Oakgreen Avenue and Highway 36,as mentioned previously,is planned to be shifted slightly east to allow for the establishment of frontage road connections which provide ample vehicle stacking distance. In this regard,four(4)foot sidewalks are planned to connect the frontage roads to the north side of Highway 36 as well as to the stated NSP easement and overland trail to the south of Oakgreen Avenue. It is anticipated that the street will ultimately be improved to include eight(8)foot grade-separated trails on both sides in the long term. Any planned trails along Oakgreen Avenue should connect to the existing 4 foot paved shoulders in place on Northbrook Boulevard in Baytown Township (extension of Oakgreen Avenue south of the City limits). North of Highway 36 Preliminary inspections of this corridor by the City Engineer indicate that it appears feasible, although physically difficult and correspondingly expensive to OSGD AVENUE construct trailways in this location given the existing businesses and right-of-way width. AVENUE Washington County has, however, expressed the intention to reconstruct this portion of Osgood Avenue at some point in the future whereupon any desired trail construction could be coordinated. The plan therefore shows three to four(3-4)foot sidewalks on both sides of Osgood Avenue to the north of Highway 36 to infringe upon existing businesses as little as possible,with added potential for re-striping of the street corridor to include four(4) to six (6) foot paved shoulders for bicycle traffic. • CITY OF AK 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAILPARK GHTS SYSTEM (PLAN 36 South of Hihwav 36 The establishment of an eight(8)foot grade-separated trail on one OSGOOD • side or four to six (4-6) foot wide sidewalks on both sides of Osgood Avenue betweenVENUE, Highway 36 and Upper 56th Street is the priority,as current pedestrian-vehicular traffic AVENUE, conflicts in these locations is dangerous. At a minimum, four (4) foot sidewalks should continued be installed on the east side of Osgood Avenue. From this point to the south there is a fourteen (14)foot shoulder on the west side of Osgood Avenue which could accommodate a two-way on-street trail,however,the preferred option is to provide a six to eight(6-8) foot one-way shoulder on both sides of the road. The area between curb and right-of-way line on Osgood Avenue from 55th Street to Calvary Church on the east boulevard is approximately 8-10 feet in width but is congested with power poles,street signs,private utility pedestals,trees,and shrubs. The City Engineer has recommended that any potential trail be placed behind the power pole line within the boulevard to avoid as many obstacles as possible. Regrading of the boulevard, earth cut/fill,clearing of trees, and expansion of the public easement area is almost certain,as is the potential need for expanded easements and retaining walls or other structural devices to maintain the necessary corridor width in some locations(such as between 55th and Upper 56th Streets, and along the existing home at 5725 Osgood Avenue). Other obstacles related to the installation of a trail along the east boulevard include the Calvary Church site where the existing parking lot is located 9 feet behind the curb of Osgood Avenue and would result in the loss of 8-10 parking spaces, however, options may be available in which to replace the parking either on ora ' stripe the existing lot. adjacent to the church site or re- This route is proposed as an east-west overland corridor from Osgood Avenue at 58th POWER Street and the St. Croix Mall entrance to Oakgreen Avenue and slightly further west intoNEA EMENT the future development area. The City completed a major portion of the trail in 1997 by LINE EASEMENT paving from Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. The intersection on Osgood Avenue at 58th Street/St. Croix Mall parking area is currently a heavily used, dangerous, unmarked and unsignaled pedestrian crossing. Improvement of this area for use as a trail crossing is highly desirable, although the location of the mall parking lot does not allow sufficient width for inclusion of a pathway without changes to the parking lot configuration. The City Engineer has indicated that the south border of the mall property, pending parking lot revisions,could accommodate the desired ten (10)foot wide two-way multi-use trail. • CITY 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK &F OAK AILPARK GHTS SYSTEM (PLAN 37 58th Street. The major east-west collector street will soon be completed between Oakgreen WESTERN OAK Avenue and Highway 5. The street will incorporate an eight(8)foot grade-separated trail PARK HEIGHTS on its south side and will serve to provide critical connection between the Stillwater Area (west of High School area and the rest of the City. Oakgreen Avenue) Krueger lane. Krueger Lane,which provides a connection between the Highway 36 south frontage road and 58th Street,will include an eight(8)foot grade-separated trail within its eastern right-of-way when that area is developed. Norell Avenue. The construction of Norell Avenue did not make provision for a trail connection between the Highway 36 south frontage road and 58th Street. In the future, a grade-separated trail should be pursued along the west right-of-way line of this road when the remainder of the Brackey property is platted and developed. Centrail Business District. Development of the Central Business District,south of Highway 36 and between Norell and Oakgreen Avenues will emphasize pedestrian access throughout and interconnections with existing and proposed trails. The City is developing concept plans for the Central Business District during the Spring of 1999. Autumn Ridge. The main local street loop within this plat will be designated as an on- • street trail system connection between surrounding residential lots within the plat and to the Valley Senior Services developed to the east. Boutwell's Landing/Boutwells Park. As a feature of the Valley Senior Services Alliance, Boutwell's Landing development south of 58th Street at Norell Avenue,an extensive system of grade-separated trails and on-street trails would be created. The trail system would provide interconnections throughout Boutwells Park,the new development,Autumn Ridge at 56th Street,River Hills at 556 Street,the High School's Environmental Learning Center, and with the existing trail along 586 Street. Within the southerly,second phase of the development a potential exists to provide trail connections into the undeveloped properties that are currently within Baytown Township. Kern Center. A trail connection from 58th Street into the Kern Center has been proposed. The trail would be along one side of the street and provide the potential for eventual extension south into undeveloped portions of Lake Elmo and west and north along Manning Avenue back to Highway 36. This extension could have the potential to eventually connect the Oak Park Heights trail system to regional trail systems existing to the west. 41/ CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 38 • NSP Powerline Easement. As mentioned previously,this route is an east-west overland CENTRAL OAK corridor from Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. The ten(10)foot overland trail within the PARK HEIGHTS central part of Oak Park Heights will continue through the south boundary of the St.Croix (Between Mall to Osgood Avenue. Oakgreen & Osgood City Hall Property/67th Street Connection. An extention of 57th Street,through the City Hall Avenues) property, is proposed for construction in 1999. As part of that street construction, a grade-separated trail would provide a connection from Oakgreen Avenue,through the City Hall property,to the existing NSP easement trail. DNR Property. An existing system of undefined trails exists within the Department of Natural Resources Property south of Brekke Park and west of Osgood Avenue. The City's Comprehensive Plan includes the DNR property as a potential area for parks,open space, residential development,and a golf course. The City will work with the DNR to develop interconnections between the undefined trails and the City's trail system. A more defined trail plan would be required if Brekke Park expands within the property or if it is developed into more intensive land uses. Local On-Street Trails. Local on-street trails make up the majority of the trail system within the central portion of the City due to the fact that the area is predominantly al subdivided single family lots. On-street trails have been identified upon several local streets,including 57th,part of 56th,55th,and 54th Streets and O'Brien,Oldfield,Omaha, and Omar Avenues and Oakgreen Place. Local trails are not limited to these routes but those mentioned provide the most direct connections between points of interest. Existing Trails. Existing trails consist of 3-4 foot sidewalks in the northern most part of NORTHEAST the City which borders with Stillwater. Sidewalks can be found along 65th Street,the far OAK PARK west portion of Upper 63rd Street(less than a block long),the western most two blocks HEIGHTS of 62nd Street,and far northern portions of Osgood and Osman Avenues. While all are not (north of within the City's boundaries,connection and integration with the Oak Park Heights Trails Highway 36 & Plan is imminent. east of Osgood Avenue) Connection to the City of Stillwater. Five trail connections have been identified in this vicinity to provide pedestrian and bicycle access between the two communities: Osgood Avenue, Beach Road,Lookout Trail,Oakgreen Avenue and Highway 95. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 39 Lookout Trail. Planned trails on this street segment will include four (4) foot paved shoulders on both sides from the northern City limits to the intersection with OAK Beach Road NORTHEASTK 11110 K PARK Beach Road. This street is planned to have four to six(4-6)foot paved shoulders from the HEIGHTS Highway 36 frontage road to the intersection of Lookout Trail. From Lookout Trail to the (north of north, Beach Road is planned for trail use as an on-street or paved shoulder connection. Hit o f Osoay 36 d The Beach Road overpass is expected to remain with the reconstruction of the Highway east of Osgood 36/Highway 95 interchange. A paved sidewalk would be provided on the bridge to connect Avenue), with the south frontage road. continued Local On-Street Trails. On-street trails in the north eastern part of the City include the use of Upper 63rd and 61nd Streets as well as Oxboro Avenue. In the long term the City may wish to consider establishing a grade-separated trail along Oxboro Avenue to connect between Beach Road and Osgood Avenue or requesting the County to provide pedestrian access through the Washington County complex by way of a sidewalk along the old alignment of Panama Avenue. Highway 36/95 Intersection.The Minnesota Department of Transportation is in the process SOUTHEAST OAK of developing plans for a reconstruction of the Highway 36/95 intersection to be built in PARK HEIGHTS conjunction with a new St. Croix River Crossing. As such, the Trail Plan will need to be updated as plans are finalized. (south of Highway 36 & 56th Street. On-street trail access is planned along 56th Street through the Brekke Heights east of Osgood subdivision which provides an access easement between lots into Valley View Park,thus Avenue) connecting Osgood Avenue to the park and eastern portions of the City. 58th Street/Ozark Avenue North. In the Valley View Estates subdivision, 58th Street is planned to provide on-street trail access between Osgood Avenue and Valley View Park(via Ozark Avenue and a trail easement between adjacent lots). 59th Street/Peller Avenue. Fifty-ninth Street serves as a critical link in the connection between the southern frontage road of Highway 36 and Stagecoach Trail and Highway 95. Depending on the approved connection from the frontage road(either as a paved shoulder along an extended frontage road or an overland trail),59th Street will either serve as an on-street route or be improved to include paved shoulders. Peller Avenue directly connects with 59th Street to provide the north-south link through the surrounding neighborhood and to Valley View Park. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 40 Beach Road. As indicated previously,the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans III for the Highway 36/95 intersection and for Beach Road have not been finalized. The CitySOUTHEASTOAK IGHTS views a Beach Road or other alternative north-south connection as vital in retainingties PARK sHouth o between the inhabitants of Oak Park Heights. Sidewalks on either side of a Beach Road (south of Bridge have been planned. Highway 36 & east of Osgood Valley View Park. Valley View Park serves as a critical link between the far eastern Avenue), neighborhoods of the City and those which abut Osgood Avenue. In the interim,the park continued will remain without defined trails but open to through access, however,the future may bring some form of designated walking,hiking and/or biking trails. A vital link is a bridge over Perro Creek Pond to connect with 56th Street. With development of the NSP ash landfill site as a park area,critical overland trails would need to develop to connect the landfill site and its potential park amenities to the south frontage road,Valley View Park and Cover Park. A trail is planned on the west side of Perro Creek Pond with a connection to Stagecoach Trail. This trail would require coordination with the State of Minnesota,in that the access would be near the State Correctional Facility. Connection to Neighboring Communities. Stagecoach Trail will provide connection to Baytown Township via six(6)to eight(8)foot paved shoulders. Highway 95 will connect the City with Bayport via ten (10) foot paved shoulders and possibly an eight (8) foot grade-separated trail within its eastern right-of-way. A Highway 95 connection to trails ft) in Stillwater is also shown. 11110 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 41 • • • on= 1%�►i►�I1111111�i� :1:■:1:■ ��./ mom .�1� 1..1 Ill fi Cn a i.. lib I D" \ II f)) ..1: ' 2.p_ > ft,al is..1104, NE If Itik, I 1 D 111 1 .z..0 _ NI El r N.•.didrar biz;w q _7,00 , g. -n m (.± , P II ik ling 0 z su , u e no . _ Ai ws_.."110._ tii._.....riqr .I/,17 0,4 N ,0 O ', io ' =21 _ 1....„11111, ms..m. Alm • y ..6 .., jfAIMIII Z g:in- IV6 11 )1 0 . .,,,„„. . .�.L.■ i /i 7/ lioriirrai N . / hd , v/ twig 0 1 ..1 • Mir til. .moi . k . 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"'I Au 111111111111111111111-111 1111111®®11111 1111111 11111111 1111'11 ti1'llt-0!11 11111!1llUllltll IIIIIIIIIIIIIII II - m .� HI ®11111111 ■■111111111®®1111111 11111111 1111 11111 1111111®% 1\\11 glnnl-1111111 IWnI� III '~ - m 4n 0) III 1 I IIIIIIIIIIII I�mum 1177:1 Ion 111111 III" ® ,;;1\\I Illllillllllllllq ILIr: `� 40 -. 7//0' 1 7U�,, U, I%%% /gyp: Ot I I -1 111111111111 IIIIIIIIUIIIIIIII® 111111\11��� 1111 1Q.11..m!�N111 �' Ih ..1 0 0. \11111 00 111\id111��� i,,,=` o W ®UU____J II I I III I I I II®jsv,.. Ito 11\111 111\I to.' 1,:.`:;: 0 0 ®® \\., 1\\\111 ,,, 1\\111;1\\\111 i V% 111111 " o � �_uihiI %11) %ra-'I„r ■Illt!!Iti...IIIIIIt 111 1".i---, 0 ����a r 2lir11111111111. „ _ r m��IIIIIIIIIIII. ....- „ doi.1‘0. I _ 1111 I IIUn--� 1 . .N111111 IIIIIIIIlIIIIIIIII wCO PARK FACILITIES MASTERPLAN Parks serve as important recreation nodes/open-space within a system of trails. The park facilities masterplan provides proposed park locations and contains a list of improvements for existing and proposed parks. The park facilities masterplan is based upon the information gathered and analyzed in the inventory,issues analysis,and policy phases of the Park and Trail Plan. The following paragraphs describe improvements to be made to existing and proposed parks. Valley View Park is valued for its dense vegetation,variation in topography,and wetlands. VALLEY VIEW The masterplan proposes to maintain and enhance the natural aesthetic of the park. PARK Improvements to the park focus on making the park better known in the community and St.Croix Valley,more accessible,and a resource for environmental education. To make the park better known in the community and to people passing through the City, an inviting landscaped entry is proposed with a sign clearly identifying the park at the entrance on Osgood Avenue. The garden club may be of assistance in the landscaping of the entry. Once people enter the park,signage identifying park boundaries and facilities would aid visitors in locating picnic and trail facilities. Currently, many people are unaware of the lower portion of the park due to the lack of signage and the physical separation from the upper portion of the park. Valley View Park will be expanded to the north in cooperation with NSP as the ash disposal facility closes. NSP will be closing portions of the landfill beginning in 1999 and completing in the year 2011. This expansion provides an opportunity for trail connections to allow easier access to the lower portions of Valley View,which are now difficult to access due to a steep slope between the west and east portions of the park. Potential uses for the NSP land include an amphitheater,a formal garden,and trails. In the lower portion of the park,a bridge across the wetland would provide an important connection to the east. In making decisions regarding trail and bridge facilities, consideration of handicapped accessibility is important,especially considering the steep slopes found within the park and the growing number of senior residents living in Oak Park Heights. Valley View Park provides a unique resource that is well-suited for recreational and CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 44 environmental programs. The park contains areas of woods, prairie, and wetlands, VALLEY VIEW creating a diverse natural setting. PARK, Scontinued Brekke Park is intensively used for field games and as a playground for toddler age and BREKKE PARK older children. The masterplan proposes to expand the park onto DNR land south of Brekke Park. Demand exists in the City for additional baseball fields and soccer fields; therefore,the masterplan proposes additional ball fields for the northern portion of the DNR land. Other potential uses for the DNR land include a golf course and a club house/concession stand. Even if additional facilities are not built on the DNR land, trail/road access from the DNR land should be explored. Other park improvements include making the park easier to locate and providing additional and upgraded athletic and picnic facilities. Currently, the park has one vehicular entrance on a small local road. To make the park more welcoming and easier to locate,additional directional and identification signage is proposed. Expansion/improvements to the existing picnic shelter may be explored,including better handicapped accessibility to the lower level of the shelter. A shelter related topic is maintaining longer bathroom hours (with an attendant to prevent vandalism). Other improvements that may be considered include constructing a hard surface under the hockey rink to provide a better and more long-lasting ice surface in the winter and to provide a skateboard/rollerblade area in the warmer months. Other improvements to consider were described in a DNR grant proposal in 1996 and include a trail with an east/west orientation along the parking lot and northern edge of the park and additional facilities in the eastern portion of the park including a picnic shelter,landforms,tricycle raceway,plantings,and a different location or shape for the basketball court. A plan for Brekke Park that was included in the 1996 DNR grant proposal is found on page 50. Swager Park serves as a linear neighborhood playground along a trail that is within an NSP SWAGER PARK easement. The trail currently extends from the east end of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. The masterplan proposes that the trail be extended and connect with existing trails so that the trail extends all the way from Valley View Park to the high school and western City limits. Extending the trail would bring more people to the park and make the CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 4S park more accessible. SWAGER PARK, continued • The St.Croix Mall is located to the east of Swager Park. Currently,no park identification or access exists from the east. An attractive and accessible entrance at the east end of the park would encourage employees and visitors of the mall to use the park. A small unpaved parking area is located in the northeast corner of the park off of 58th Street North. An improved parking area should be considered. A sketch illustrating an east entry design is found on page 52. The park currently contains little vegetation;however,sixteen trees will be planted in 1999 through an NSP grant. The masterplan proposes creating a landscape plan that provides additional understory trees and shrubs and benches throughout the park. The plan for the park includes creating attractive resting areas for trail users and for people who work at the nearby St.Croix Mall and surrounding commercial areas. Swager Park currently lacks screening from residential properties to the north, and instillation of tree/fence screening along the northern boundary of the park should be considered. West of the park, in the NSP easement, visibility could be improved by removing buckthorn and other exotic species and creating a landscape plan including native plants. Feelings of safety and visibility could also be enhanced by providing pedestrian-scale lighting along the trail. • The park requires some maintenance improvements and has enough open space to allow some additional facilities. The tennis courts are currently in poor condition and need to be repaired. Some play equipment exists, but additional play equipment for young children would provide more play options. An improvement that may be considered is providing bathrooms in the park. The bathrooms could serve both users of the park and people passing through the park on the trail system. Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for COVER PARK residents in the surrounding neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat segregated from the northern and western portions of the City. The park is located only two blocks east of the NSP ash disposal site and Valley View Park. The masterplan calls for construction of a trail extending from Cover Park through the cul-de-sac next to Cover Manor and connecting to the NSP property and Valley View Park. The park has a small parking lot and little to no room for expansion currently. The long-term uses and parking needs of • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 46 Cover Park should be evaluated with the expansion of Valley View Park and with COVER PARK, development opportunities associated with adjacent MnDOT properties. continued • Improvements are constrained by the small supply of open space available at the site; however,several improvements should be explored. The existing warming house is a simple cement building located at the southern end of the park. The City may wish to explore improvement of the building and constructing a City-operated greenhouse attached to the warming house. Another improvement would be to provide refuse containers,which would be especially useful in the summer when the park is used by dog owners. Boutwells Park is a 24 acre park planned in the western half of the City. The park will gain BOUTWELLS access from 58th Street and is intended to serve surrounding area neighborhoods and PARK provide a connection to the Stillwater Area High School and Environmental Learning Center. The masterplan proposes that the developer provide a year-round community center/open air shelter with bathrooms,a tot lot,a play structure,picnic tables,gathering areas,benches,and shade trees. The City may explore providing recreational programs in the park, and the wetlands in the park may be used as a teaching resource for the Environmental Learning Center. The park should be developed in a way that allows winter sliding on the larger hills. Clearing only some of the trails of snow will provide 4) opportunities for cross-country skiing in the park. Having an area in the City that could clearly be identified as a town center would enhance TOWN CENTER the identity of the community, and creating a town square within the town center that includes landscaping, fountains, a skating rink, benches/resting areas, waterways and other attractions would create a unique gathering place in the City. An area in Lake Elmo,west of Highway 5,could become part of Oak Park Heights. At that POTENTIAL time,a neighborhood playground within a residential area is proposed for this area. PARK AND RECREATIONAL The DNR has been considering for a number of years building a boat launch east of AREAS Highway 95 and south of the Metropolitan Council wastewater treatment facility. An open space/park area is a possibility south of the State of Minnesota Correctional Facility and west of Stagecoach Trail in an existing wooded area. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 47 io, II • • State Highway 36 IProposed City Frontage Road Potential Development to Include: -- A,-.- CI o Amphitheater ,,,,„....-.3 Trails , Formal Garden �,•� t Open Space .'-0 e,• i Closed by 2001. i • I .' I i Closed by 2011 . •�. _ __-- i _ -' NSP Ash _ , /' ; Disposal Site -" _ r �' 1 r Cover 1 •\ ► Park Closed , ■ U L • fi , 1 \ 1 Closed by 2006 `\ 1 \ •• , • t Closed /'1 ■ J t Closed by 2002 `� �� t (`„/ \ a• \t _--__s. ^- t 1 I •. Trail Connection z '� I ^:; L o y.L. y.A.f 2 m ' w O O .L• { .1• N tl •'•JOS .J•{• ,L•a,J. j•1•L ` CL E r........,...„ 1 ,L1L. , II \ • a•L•y• y• ,/ / . 2,,,i 'L•L. 'L•'a'aL.L•LL•L • • 0 is-Improve TrailV a•/.•L"L L.••L•J•- /' O A.a•!:•1•J.•,, J.•1.'L• L • h• 1 J...4•J•' 1.1 A 4 .1..L•4• J ( V i, a lJ'.4:L•J.!-'J�•1J'..4'.4;!:1.4 Ns L Im rove Trail .J.. '!'4••,J'•^" 1 4•:1.' : Lamm)7. „..vim-- 1 P . 1..1 L I . .L J••.•• ALA J.• J. 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J,'J-'1• 1L:, _Valley View Park Road State Correctional Facility F—Create Landscaped Entry with Sign 1fi: Valley View Park _I_ .'e( g,, Proposed Plan � Source:" h99 0 150300 FEET41) N%�/•:.\C City of Oak Park Heights CityAerial of POak otograpPark Heigh,1ht6s 0 • p ••, ..L__. ____t�- . • 1 ' )\\... ___ ....____ „ r I , , i fii--- i 1 ( I 1 ... , (...._..i 'y, , I ..., .) 5„.. : cS ori , I0 CO ..„ O- _ ItH m� --� 1 r 1 !), v A ...• i....• ... !,... rl SX •pli ,- i i ,....1 .......\ ... . ," ' /) ; 11 :. 1:. .....:, . 1 1 r: ii „ --t;\ :: _1 '0.;\ . 0 . . • 0 ��� li. a �� 1 . r u) le a •:. i Cij 1 Z : I e . • Foi, • __.1 73 . 1 . • 1 1 \., ' i '' 1-0 . • a . ff1 .... _ a-, – _ : . .• -IDH i : • oo°a0000 I , z 0 00 0000 0 0 .� 1 =0'4 a) ,3; 1 :_tio, 1 m oo _i i 08:-8 a , Omar Ave.N• rn 0 ,2 1 o 3 3 El 1 ( � 1 -� 1 c ifa omi *a—I =i i 'Ca 1 •13 C m f'A''Y• • , CD 3 _S 7 S g il jr Jat a. sV� N N 3. O (p � go� v 11 a S.: 4= i • ititiR PI'—,a73 / ,ao 1 1 "I y� . ' .11— a Osgood Avenue N D _ n .1 ,,: Brekke Park -' N ?c.G e,,'. Proposed Plan 0100 200 FEET City of Oak Park Heights Source:Aerial l Photograph, s 9 h,1996 ofCityOak _ esn puoilouuepsad ••)-- f.W bN�t�4�Nb f{�, ° d C Z ., p;•-• . . , , • 1----titt6C11,r,‘ ii . 0 0 0 C_,,,,,, 77- jellillik- C'''' b i1/41,--- : .,_.rx.. .ki ` •"1iNiT• �` C 1 0 V .....:, , [ .Wejiii , Q 'O ��OV�* � J 2Sc i9 A\71 1 = ' r').0...0,g_i .0 ' ' '•-' h'.‘1.11.a I.- .. , 4) i � 1. "AveNorth €V 1 a 8 V 0 / \�. ( 1 may- O v J777 c - I' 7- ////^ma�c CJ :..;:!P;, �. i () • 11 n i onoo — s.{ ''c :c� III', Ihi, r'" t, 'sr , . _ , , ,i -5 V2 t 11 c J.a?•C;) �i.i.,`�� y NIIIIjjj t \I 4 Lill 4';'' : . ; s L g I ki N • 1 a 1 IA f13 p o - • , c , ` "*i 4 . ,-. 8 ''' .-,\7.:_a.6\H s .. . • t.- appo c r j l 711 •• • • •••Z : ° cin 1 3 �• F' C 1vl �'.:• S11.a v • 12 . 4,F,i - ";....t:,,, -" 14] 0 . 7:721 i '1,tis 7-S, •-•-.0',,,•:. . P '••-• . •'',' '-'\ .2 1 6 ,!, 0. ‘%•‘' 1N-3 ° : .....•:airph..'' 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L`�``,1L 'i` 1i ti ,,./ 40, .e, I. - -, ;/.e ,, - ,g'A ' imulow" - , ,re / at WhitV, • � ' , -..z..... � fir! 1��, , � � 'aili .% " !t' : `' /` + fa . � ,,,,-- --, -, ,,- -.;1-•,...• ,,7170,72;,.,-;),^,slivor*!, .. - _ ,, A. / Ai , v._,. „ ,, Allitit..v...._ ,ilre' , .•• A W:1 00 PF-.) ,,Adrir .° tIS 0 •i,t1"L '' �� „ice Ny,--?,-..___ ---- -- it-- 11... ' ' • • at:el r,,,„;/-.-7."--”" voi ,,,- .____._____. -• 7\41:41117-____ __ __ � 41 \\ \ 1(/r l '��r 4 ��'.ii TI . Trail East Entry • Looking Toward Swager Park • 52 / 0k_ Enlarge ► •>I0,4 Parking Lot �44 ** I c 0 ,,, , 4„---Top of Slope I 1 L. Perennial Path-\ Planting il i . M Rink Hockey Parking I Z Op4 ai WV-0 • 1 1 I I RocklWall r i ( i Perennial Planting on Slope- AlPleasure j Skating/ Basketball N G =1 Play Structure 0 1 _ and Swings Improve Park a ) Building/ - ii,..___v ' _ 0 25 50 FEET Add Greenhouse �' y .e �—Connection to NSP Areas 58th Street .i‘ /,, .1 City of Oak Park Heights Van Accessible Handicapped Parking Cover Park Proposed Plan III Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 City of Oak Park Heights S3 Brackey Addition I J • — 58-Street North _ _________, r__ _ ___ ..________ . 1 \ I \.I t I 4.„1„aira . Potential Parking Lot I ----- _ e t and Community Center/Shlter I 1 11111.1. nil Mill % r Pond I/ ( St30 )1 1 — — — d,'y / �/ Sliding Hill Pond v� 1 I Pond ill I (2.__:: Pond • ' Pond � I iiir lb \ I Pond //A.' Pim .11 / ir Ilk * / •\ __ .... ..,--- _ _4 t /4 , , at / CP ,k4k * ... ' Note: This park is in the \.___ Environmental // / process of being designed. Learning Center More elements will be added. 1 / / t ,v Boutwells Park 0 100 200 FEET CIO Proposed Plan City of Oak Park Heights NFACSource:Aerial Photograph,1996 • Senior Life Community Plans,1998 54 PARK GUIDELINES & CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM The following outline provides a summary of park classification guidelines for the various types of parks found in communities such as Oak Park Heights. While these standards can be applied to existing conditions,their real asset is as a planning tool in establishing needs for future recreational development. The standards which follow are representative of those adopted in 1991 as part of the City Park Study for Newly Annexed Areas and can be used together with the trail planning guidelines as a comprehensive tool for recreational planning and development. This classification system is intended to serve as a guide to planning,not a blueprint. It is the variety and individuality of park areas that make them interesting and exciting places. Sometimes more than one component may occur within the same site and they may differ from what is specified here. A park system,at minimum,should be composed of a core system of parklands with a total of 6.25 to 10.5 acres of open space per 1,000 population. Use: Designed to provide mainly passive activities with some active NEIGHBOR- short-term activities HOOD PLAYGROUND • Service Area: Neighborhood size of 1,000 to 5,000 persons,within 1/4 to mile Population Served: Ages 5 to IS,with informal recreation for groups of all ages Desirable Size: I to 5 acres Acres/I,000 population: 1.0-2.0 Site Characteristics: Open space for spontaneous play, play areas for both pre- school and school age children, multiple-use paved areas, limited field games,small court games,ice rinks,within easy walking/biking distance Existing Playgrounds: Swager and Cover Parks Proposed Playgrounds: None • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN S5 Use: Area for designated active and passive recreation areas NEIGHBOR- • HOOD PARKS Service Area: A to I mile radius to serve a population of up to 5,000 persons (a large neighborhood) Population Served: Focus upon ages 5 through 39 with emphasis upon ages 5 through 18 Desirable Size: 5 to 10 acres Acres/I,000 population: 1.5 -2.0 Site Characteristics: Suited for multi-use development, easily accessible to neighborhood population, geographically centered with safe walking and bike access,may include school facilities Existing Parks: None Proposed Parks: Boutwells Park • Use: A large recreation area with primarily athletic facilities COMMUNITY designed to serve older children and adults PLAYFIELDS Service Area: I-1%miles for urban areas/unlimited for rural communities, a minimum of one per community up to 30,000 maximum population Population Served: All persons with focus upon ages 20 to 39 Desirable Size: 10 to 25 acres Acres/1,000 population: 2.0 to 5.0 Site Characteristics: Athletic complex including lighted court and field games, community center or indoor recreation facility, swimming pool,ice rink,capacity for special events,must include support CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 56 elements such as restrooms, drinking water, parking & COMMUNITY lighting. PLAYFIELDS, • continued Existing Playfields: Brekke Park Proposed Playfields: The planned annexation area park on the west side of Oakgreen Avenue represents a combination of Community Playfields and Community Parks. Use: Area of diverse environmental quality which may include areas COMMUNITY suited to intense recreational facilities such as athletic PARKS complexes as well as passive type areas,depends largely upon the site location,suitability and community need Service Area: Several neighborhoods, I to 4 mile radius for urban areas/unlimited for rural communities Population Served: All ages,toddler to retiree,entire community for cities up to 25,000 1 Desirable Size: 20 to 35+ acres Acres/I,000 population: 5.0- 10.0 Site Characteristics: Provides for a combination of intensive and non-intensive development ranging from play equipment to trails, may include natural features,such as water bodies or forested land, must include support elements such as restrooms, drinking water,parking,lighting,etc. Existing Parks: Valley View Proposed Parks: The NSP Landfill site in conjunction with Valley View will be a Community Park. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 51 Use: Specialized facilities serving a limited population or specific MINI-PARKS OR IDgroup such as tot lots for small children TOT LOTS Service Area: Less than 1/4 mile, sub-neighborhood level of from 500 to 2,500 persons Population Served: Toddlers through age nine Desirable Size: One acre or less Acres/1,000 population: .10 to.50 Site Characteristics: Within neighborhoods, in close proximity to intensive residential developments Use: Protection and management of the natural/cultural NATURAL/ environment with recreational use as a secondary objective CONSERVANCY AREA Service Area: No applicable standard Desirable Size: Sufficient to protect the resource and accommodate desired recreational uses Acres/I,000 population: Variable Site Characteristics: Variable,depending upon the resource being protected Use: facilities developed in association with schools which are SCHOOLS intended for children's educational and recreational instruction,which on a secondary basis,provide opportunities for community residents,this shared usage is positive in that it allows for daytime usage by students,evening,weekend,and summer usage by all. Schools: Oak Park Elementary (in Stillwater), Stillwater Area High • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 58 School,and the Environmental Learning Center SCHOOLS, continued • Facilities: Oak Park Elementary has three small baseball fields, a field that is sometimes used for soccer, a small basketball court, and a playgound. Stillwater Area High School has facilities for softball,baseball, football,soccer,tennis and track. The Environmental Learning Center provides educational training regarding environmental topics. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 59 0 0 0 -� IIIio o G ' ,� lc.> i x• Cn O •1i ' ° i ► u .0. ,..., ,, ,,.. 4- r" hi 1111111IPIPIftw. 1141 1111,‘41,1-11. al, Pill III litIllbrg-gl'41/ r e) 01 1 0. . 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X11 c "17 O O ��a I• '*oft I-`--i-' Il`1 1 m 1'''•• .AI r;"�j t, =I X11 O O ► C 10y(',‘ 1r �1 + r1j {r ,:..�8 `< a a �,, ,\ / �`- ��, Il • -,• + ►1 �ii.th�.� IIIII,N';.raa ,..._ all m m m 0 f - . ► I x► ,\, 4„ }--,-,g',:c II valyl +►r+►h ., �\� _ , ..�- � X11 � .11.1.t►,f�,�. , l i.�... ,► 1 -1 •1- � 114 xt+ 11 1 E 1'� '41'' ,� ,� //I �1_1_/_4,:i 'e 0-1 ii 1/ I ►I -1- ":4 A 4-0:4r i�Vet ,1 J.1 11 l cl I 4`I ,,t 1 11•��t111�1,11v�1 ' 4'7 i I I r^ .. 7 1' .... J,7 a i�'1' 1 I 1 o w. '� ,� 1 �,'•.� 1 �/IrMA 1 1'1)1 .<, �1s1.1-�1 I x.,.11111 I 1 I 1 ; IMPLEMENTATION The final phase of the Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan establishes a process of projecting land acquisition and trail improvements,setting priorities,and scheduling for their provision and financing over a period of time. This process produces a long-range guide for recreation and requires that the City look toward the future to anticipate capital expenditures and to provide revenues to meet them. This section does not take the place of a capital improvements plan in that precise costs are beyond the scope of this document,however,the City must begin thinking about updating itsa five year priority list,analyzing the financial situation,and obtaining cost estimates for the desired improvements. Park and trail land dedication will play a major role in acquiring and developing park/trail LAND facilities, although is not possible in all cases. Acquisition through dedication is a ACQUISITION long-term process since land can only be obtained as the abutting land is developed. While the outright purchase of land is prohibitive due to investment costs and anticipated benefit per capita through the City,land acquisition will be necessary where developments are already in place and lack recreational facilities or to acquire special,distinct pieces of land which would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain through park dedication. While the majority of Oak Park Heights contains developments that are already in place where many of the trail corridors are proposed and will likely require land acquisition through purchase,the utilization of road rights-of-way will provide an easy alternative for establishing public trail routes. For the most part, it is this Plan's intention to provide parks and trails which will not PARK& TRAIL burden the City with high acquisition and construction costs. Land and right-of-way for DEDICATION trail construction will be acquired as part of the dedication process of a subdivision or as FEES an improvement to be included as roads are built or upgraded wherever possible. Due to the obstacles that may arise through acquisition of a trail right-of-way,the Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan provides only a general layout of trail routes and proposed park locations which may be altered at the time of actual acquisition and development. At the present time, park land dedication contributions required of developers as a cash donation is$450 per single family residential lot in the City. This fee is charged in those areas where no park land is required,and is used for acquisition and development in other areas where parks and trails are to be located. The Oak Park Heights fee schedule is less than area communities and the amount as it stands makes it more advantageous for CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 61 developers to pay the park dedication fee rather than dedicate land. Furthermore,no trail PARK& TRAIL dedication requirements are in place to relieve the pressure for trail construction (that is DEDICATION the current priority in the community)which results in the park fund monies which would FEES, otherwise be utilized for park development, being eaten up for trail purposes. Based on continued recent analysis of developer costs and park dedication requirements in various suburban areas of St.Paul and Minneapolis as conducted by Northwest Associated Consultants,Inc., the City will raise the park dedication fee in 1999 and consider establishing a system of trail dedication requirements. This recommendation is made in an effort to provide equity between those land developers who are required to donate land and those who pay the fee. In the past,the low level of cash payments resulted in an unequal burden placed on those from whom land is required. The higher fee is intended to accommodate the cost of land and its development,and the opportunity cost of being deprived of that land through park land dedication. The additional effect of this fee increase would be to accelerate the accumulation of funds for acquisition and development. Adequate levels of park funds would be available for use sooner to catch up and keep up with the pace of development,presuming that the fee itself does not affect such,as it is not expected to do so. This assumption is made in light of the fact that new development has continued in those areas where land dedication has been required, and the fee is recommended at a level which approximates the cost of land dedication to the developer. • While parkland acquisition and development are capital outlays that are typically FUNDING financed with the revenues from City dedication or general funds,there are other methods OPTIONS available to assist the City in raising necessary money for large projects. The following grant programs may be available to the City if the intended project(s) comply with the submission criteria. DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program(LAWCON-Land and Water Conservation Fund) The goal of the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program is to assist communities in acquiring, developing,and/or redeveloping facilities for outdoor recreation use.The grants can fund up to 50 percent of a total project cost,while the remaining local share can consist of local funding,materials,labor,and equipment through local sponsors or donations.The land must be owned by the applicant and must be developed completely within three years from the date of fund acquisition. One or more of the following facilities must be included in a proposed project. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 62 Baseball/Softball Fields Basketball/Hard Courts FUNDING Boat Launching Sites Campgrounds OPTIONS, • Canoe Access Sites Cross-Country Ski Trails continued Fishing Piers/Shore Fishing Football/Soccer Fields Nature Study/Observation Areas Picnic Shelters Playgrounds Skating/Hockey Rinks Swimming Beaches Tennis Courts Trails Volleyball Courts In addition,support facilities are also eligible for funding provided at least one facility from the above list is provided. Support facilities include drinking fountains,fencing,fire pits/grills, landscaping, lighting, roads/parking, benches/seats, trash receptacles, restroom/shower/storage buildings,signs,sledding hills,warming houses, utilities, and design/engineering costs (up to 10 percent). DNR - Trails and Waterways Grants . In addition to the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program,the following grants are also available through the DNR: National and Scenic Area Grant Program Regional Trail Grant Program • Cooperative Trail Linkage Grant Program National Recreational Trail Fund Grant Program TEA-21 - Transportation Equity Act for the 21s Century. signed June. 1998. The Act reaffirms the priorities and funding flexibilities established in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act(ISTEA)of 1991. The act provides,among others,the Surface Transportation Program (STP), which provides federal funds on a reimbursable basis. Transportation Enhancement(TE)activities are funded through a ten percent setaside from STP funds. Proposals for trail projects may be submitted under the Pedestrian and Bicycle project group of Transportation Enhancements. This project group allows for the provision of facilities and activities that facilitate pedestrian and bicycle use, and provision of abandoned railway corridors(including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian and bicycle trails). Further information may be obtained from the Metropolitan Council. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 63 Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources FUNDING OPTIONS, 411111 The LCMR program works toward enhancing and protecting Minnesota's natural resources. continued One or more of the following strategies must be met in order to be considered for available funds. The list is a partial list of strategies and represents the order of priority in which funds are given. A complete list of project components, application requirements, and funding cycles can be obtained from the State Offices. I) Rehabilitate state and regional parks/trails. 2) Acquire and develop state and regional parks and trails. 3) Acquire, protect, and enhance critical habitat, native prairies, unique and/or sensitive areas,scenic bluffs,aquatic resources,old-growth forests,and historic sites. 4) Expand rural and urban revegetation with native species,including community shade tree programs. Implement native species tree planting for energy conservation, carbon dioxide abatement,erosion control,wildlife habitat,and other benefits. • 5) Research and demonstrate ecologically sound methods to control or eradicate exotic species of plants or animals which are or may become a threat to the environment. 6) Accelerate the implementation of measures to reduce non-point source pollution. 7) Provide for all types of wetland purchase,restoration and easement acquisition to enhance wildlife habitat, erosion control,water storage, flood control, and water quality. 8) Accelerate the use of farming practices consistent with wildlife habitat and environmental and human health protection. 9) Create qualitative and quantitative benchmarks,including biological indicators, for key natural resources to permit effective monitoring and assessment of environmental trends. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 64 Capital improvements programming provides an instrument for carrying out the objectives CAPITAL and recommendations of the Oak Park Heights Park and Trail System Plan. Through IMPROVEMENT prioritization of five year capital needs for the City's park and recreational facilities and PROCESS identifying the amount of money available to finance the improvements during this period, the City will be able to determine which improvements are necessary in terms of their ability to pay. The capital improvement program (CIP) is a flexible process,in that as the social, physical and financial conditions change within the City, the priority of the scheduled projects may also change. In response to the changes in the City,the CIP must be an on-going process. Each year the CIP should be re-evaluated for consistency with the Plan,current recreational needs,and fiscal condition of the City. The Parks Commission has previously developed CIP Programs for park and trail development. As a follow-up to the adoption of this plan,the CIP will need to be updated. The following process should be utilized by the Park Board when reviewing potential park capital improvement projects. I) Establish a five year priority list of park/trail capital improvements that reflects current and projected recreation demands. Annually review and revise the five year priority list to reflect current demand and needs. • 2) Analyze the City's current financial situation. 3) Obtain up to date cost estimates for high priority items. 4) Develop project descriptions and plans for the desired improvements which include proposed scheduling and phasing. 5) Make copies available of the CIP for public inspection prior to the City Council's presentation of the annual budget at the required public hearing. 6) Begin the process over again following approval of the CIP and the beginning of another calendar year. It is recommended that a specific annual CIP review schedule be established for the review of potential park/trail projects. This will enable persons who wish to request consideration of new items to present their position in ample time to change the CIP,if necessary,in a manner consistent with community needs and reducing or eliminating financial • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 65 commitments being made for projects which might not proceed to the final construction CAPITAL stage in the event that they are deleted or moved back on the priority list. IMPROVEMENT • PROCESS, continued An important aspect of park and trail development is user knowledge of the recreational COMMUNITY facilities. To promote the use of the community recreational system, the City should EDUCATION provide informational material to residents as the facilities are implemented. A newsletter and map mailed to each household is probably the best means by which to accomplish this. At the same time,the City should work to establish a list of rules and encourage community awareness of such. As indicated throughout this plan,a clear and concise system of park and trail signage is SIGNAGE beneficial in any recreational system to assist users in finding and using the facilities. Directional graphics may be in the form of painted pavement symbols/lettering or any variety of regulatory, warning, or guidance signage. Signage should include general identification of an area,layout and types of facilities present,directions for specific points of interest such as handicapped areas, restrooms, or connections to destinations, trail • distances,and user/safety rules. The best location for much of this information is near the entrances to parks/trail segments or near parking areas. The signage should be consistent throughout the City and should be easily understandable and maintainable. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has outlined size,shape, and color criteria for signs in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 66 APPENDIX i FACILITIES PLANNING & DESIGN GUIDELINES Numerous physiological and psychological factors are involved in the planning and design of park and trail areas which will undoubtedly affect their desirability among residents and anticipated development if not handled properly. The natural features both within and adjacent to a desired trail corridor or park site should be used to complement the desired recreational activity and if modified,should be done without causing irreparable harm to the environment. These include existing vegetation, topography, wetlands/water bodies/streams, or other natural features such as rock outcroppings. Built features are equally as important in their effect upon recreational elements and include such items as buildings,bridges,power substations,utility corridors,streets/parking lots,or other man-made and largely utilitarian components. The age, dominant characteristics, function, and condition of built structures should be evaluated to determine what, if any, modifications are needed (either to the structure itself or in areas surrounding it - such as a buffer) so that the structure remains an asset for recreational use. TRAIL GUIDELINES • Composition of proposed trail corridors refers to the original or altered surface upon COMPOSITION which the recreational element will be constructed. The subsurface condition of areas such as the NSP power line easement have most likely been altered and may require specialized preparation or construction methods to establish them as a usable part of the recreational system. The cross sectional slope which is perpendicular to the trail corridor or development area SLOPE may either be flat,convex(raised),concave(carved-out),or terraced(along a side slope) and may affect access to a certain area or drainage patterns. As a general rule, an acceptable cross slope for most trails is two (2) percent. The longitudinal slope is one that runs along the center line of the path of travel, often called the profile, and is comprised of flat, uphill, and downhill slopes. An equitably • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 67 accessible longitudinal slope is generally five(5) percent or less,although up to ten (10) SLOPE, percent may be acceptable in certain areas where access would otherwise be limited. continued • The sequence of different landscapes that compose a trail corridor makes it an interesting SPATIAL VALUES place to walk,bike,and ride. Spatial components of recreational systems include: ► Viewsheds. Lines of sight within a corridor or out to a landscape or adjacent built feature are called viewsheds. The views from adjacent lands into the trail corridor are just as important as views from the proposed trail. This is particularly important when you have a feature that should be highlighted or when an adjacent landowner objects to the trail corridor. Safety and visibility are the two viewshed issues of concern to future trail users. The need for unobstructed forward and rear views should be provided for each type of trail user classification: 50 feet for pedestrians and ISO feet for bicyclists/roller skaters. Viewing opportunities from a trail affect the quality of users'experience and are classified as either open or closed landscapes. ► Open&Closed Landscapes. These affect viewsheds and light,provide structure, and heavily influence the spatial sequence of a trail corridor. An example of an • open landscape is an agricultural field or meadow,while a closed landscape may be a segment of corridor surrounded by thick, overhanging trees or large buildings. An ideal trail has a contrasting sequence of both open and closed landscapes. ► Light & Dark Areas. These are determined by sun exposure, topography, surrounding vegetation,and adjacent structures. light and dark areas alter the trail's environment, affect the soil's moisture content,influence temperatures, and vary the quality of the trail's features (which may change from season to season). Intersections can pose challenges during trail design and development,but they can also INTERSECTIONS provide trail access. Roads are the most hazardous and frequently encountered trail intersections and things such as how the trail will cross(at-grade,under,over),the degree of road traffic,alternative crossings,and money available to do the work will determine how to best incorporate them into the overall plan. 41110 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 68 Driveways may be either residential, commercial or industrial in nature and will have INTERSECTIONS, differing effects upon the trail corridors,depending upon their frequency of use daily or continued . monthly. If the traffic on the driveway is less than the anticipated trail traffic,then the trail should be designed to have the right-of-way at this intersection. Other trail corridors and nearby trails allow you to link trails together. Assess any intersecting trails for compatibility and conflict, based on types of use,surface,signs,and regulations. Like any major capital improvement,building a trail requires some thought about how the RECREATIONAL facility will be used and by whom. In other words, you need to market the trail. NEEDS Determine the ratio of existing/proposed trail miles to the user population. Compare this to the National Recreation and Park Association's Open Space Standards which suggests a ratio of one(I)trail mile per 2,000 people for multi-use(pedestrian-bicycle)trails. This number is intended only as a rough guideline and does not necessarily reflect local demographics,changing trends,uniqueness of the environment,or various other factors, but may help in estimating the over or under establishment of trails in relation to the number of residents. This,however,does not take the place of communicating with local residents,user groups,etc.to determine interest and needs. Land uses (existing and proposed)adjacent to or directly abutting trail corridors should ADJACENT be evaluated to some degree relative to size, facilities, density, character, and type of LAND USES ownership. However, unless safety factors prohibit such, the establishment of trails through all land use types should be promoted. Opportunities for or constraints against trail development exist in all areas of the community and depend more upon individual situations. In some situations, safety hazards or undesirables can be avoided through installation of a fence or berm while still allowing trail access and connections. Take special note of vacant properties adjoining the trail corridor as they may provide opportunity for public ownership and potential for establishment of sitting/picnic areas or landscaping. Vacant areas that remain privately owned provide excellent opportunities for additional trail links,access,or trail-related development. Of all the obstacles trail developers face,opposition by adjacent landowners can be the ADJACENT most troublesome. Regardless of the community-wide support for trails,opposition from LANDOWNERS some adjacent landowners who will voice concerns about trail design, management, quality of life,careless maintenance,land loss,decreased property values,increased crime • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 69 and liability will be unavoidable. ADJACENT LANDOWNERS, • This and many similar concerns have been documented among trail projects across the continued USA and typically disappear once the trail is open but more commonly, the benefits outweigh the problems. In surveys conducted across the nation, it was shown that the vast majority of landowners living next to trail corridors were amenable to such and used the corridors frequently. With regard to crime,a specific study conducted in Minnesota showed that the incidence of crime is actually lower in homes near trails than those in surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally,no negative effect upon property values has ever been proven,either nationally or locally and in some cases neighborhoods adjacent to trail corridors have been marketed using trails as an amenity with property values increased. Finally, liability is not a valid concern thanks to the recreational-use statutes (RUS) in place in Minnesota which does not make landowners liable for recreational injuries resulting from mere carelessness. To recover damages,the trail user needs to prove"willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the landowner". This would apply to easement situations in the City where the City does not own the land,but maintains control for trail access purposes via establishment of an easement. In summary, problems may be exaggerated at the onset and others can be easily controlled through design and/or management solutions. Physical separation of trails from private properties via natural,vegetation or man-made means may also serve to alleviate homeowners concerns. Landowner involvement is the best and first step to a successful resolution. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 10 FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS • Once a trail or system of trails is built,it will become an integral part of the community which is part of an ever-changing environment. With this in mind,it is important to make sure that the trails can adapt to changing needs. The best policy is to build a trail with adequate capacity(width)initially. A multi-use trail shared by pedestrians and bicyclists should be a minimum of ten(10)feet wide. If the budget only allows for an eight(8)foot trail,obtain easements that will permit expansion of the trail to ten (10) or more feet in the future. Bridges,tunnels,culverts and other infrastructure should be made extra wide at the onset to accommodate expansion. Deciding which components to build to wider standards first will depend on the trail surfacing to be used. Concrete is virtually impossible to upgrade safely once it is in place as joints create a hazardous situation for bicyclists. Widening an asphalt or crushed material surface is not as difficult because the materials are less costly and can be blended. Basic grading should also be designed for the maximum future width if site conditions allow this. Note that different segments of the trail are likely to have different levels of use,thus it 4, may be necessary to provide a ten (10) foot width only in areas where heavy travel is expected to occur. Another option is to plan for two separate paths within the same (easement)corridor,by separating users such as pedestrians from bicyclists. Individual routes have been planned to vary as needed within the City,thus reference should be made to the section within this document which describes specific routes and trail segments. Decisions about widening a trail should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based upon a community's economics, politics,safety,and long-term project goals. Weigh the cost of extra length against extra width prior to beginning a project. It may be beneficial to construct an entire segment of the trail system at a less than optimum width in areas where trails are presently non-existent to heighten the excitement and promote usage by residents. But on the other hand,if larger than expected numbers of people use the trail, it will pose crowding and safety problems. It is generally best to construct individual portions of a trail (which maybe does not yet make a through connection) at the full, long-term width desired. While this is somewhat dependent upon the material used, maintenance needs, and material life, pressure will build (and money will become available)to develop additional segments. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 71 At least a portion of your multi-use trail design should be accessible-free of barriers and HANDICAPPED • obstructions-and usable by people with disabilities. Most people have either permanent ACCESSIBILITY or temporary disability at some point in their lives. The primary sources of information for developing accessible standards for all facilities are the Uniform federalAccessihility Standards(UfAS)and the Americans with Disabilities ActAccessihility Guidelines, both published in the federal Register on 26 July 1991. These guidelines define what specifications must be met in order to be classified as an accessible trail such as trail width,passing space,surface,slopes,clearance,rest areas and signs. Five feet is the minimum width to accommodate a wide range of users with disabilities in a one-way scenario. Hard surfaces such as asphalt and concrete make a trail most accessible. An accessible trail gradient should not exceed five(5) percent. Although WAS recommends a maximum grade of eight (8) percent, limiting this to six (6) percent is highly recommended. Ramps,which should have a level landing for every 30 inches of vertical rise,must have a hard,slip-resistant surface and railings. An accessible trail calls for a rest area every 200 to 300 feet,preferably cleared with a bench located outside of the trail tread. If numerous benches is not possible,the distances between stopping points should be posted so that users will know what is ahead. National standards for multi-use trail widths do not exist. The American Association of TRAIL WIDTH State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommends a ten (10) foot trail width,but some of these paths are too narrow to handle the ultimate volume of users and may not take into account other factors such as the trail surface,speed of trail users,etc. Consider the number of people who are likely to use your trail. Where"significant"trail traffic is anticipated (one hundred (100)trail users per hour during peak periods),the width of a two-way shared path should be at least ten (10) feet in suburban areas. In rural and urban areas,the minimum trail widths change to eight(8)feet and twelve(12) feet respectively. Topography - the shape of the land - can be defined as flat, gently rolling, hilly, or SLOPE mountainous. A physical assessment of a trail corridor determines the longitudinal and cross slopes of specific segments. An accessible trail will have a maximum longitudinal slope of five(5)percent(three(3)percent is preferred)and a maximum cross slope of two (2) percent. The following table lists ranges of longitudinal and cross slopes acceptable for specific trail user groups. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 12 TRAIL USER AVERAGE SPEED LONG.SLOPE CROSS SLOPE SLOPE, continued • Pedestrian 3 to 7 mph no restriction 4%maximum Bicyclist 8 to 20 mph 3%preferred 2%to 4% 8%maximum Equestrian 4 to 8 mph 10%maximum 4% maximum Skier 2 to 8 mph 3%preferred 2%preferred 5%maximum There are many surface types available to complete the cross section of your multi-use SURFACING trail, including granular stone,asphalt,concrete,soil cement,wood chips,and natural surface. Surface materials are either soft or hard, defined by the material's ability to absorb or repel moisture. Many single-use trails throughout the country, particularly hiking and equestrian trails, have soft surfaces (natural earth/turf, wood chips, etc.). These surfaces often do not hold up well under heavy use or varying weather conditions, and therefore are not ideal for multi-use trails. Hard surfaced materials (soil cement, asphalt, cement, etc.) are more practical for multi-use trails, especially in urban and 410 suburban areas. They are generally more expensive to purchase and install but require less maintenance and can withstand frequent use. Hard surfaces also accommodate the widest range of trail users. Trail surfacing can be used to encourage or discourage use. If you want to encourage as many users as possible, choose one of the hardest surfaces. If you want to limit the number or speed of users, choose a soft surface. Recycling options should also be considered when choosing a surfacing material. Car tires and other rubber products, crushed glass/pottery, and ground asphalt shingles are some of the materials that have been used in the construction of trails. The recycled products industry is expanding quickly, with new manufacturers emerging constantly. It may be worth doing some research into what types of recycled products are available to you and what type of strength,longevity,and durability they have in relation to their cost,ease of installation, effect upon the environment,etc. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 73 An often overlooked design factor is the long-term cost of operations and maintenance. MAINTENANCE IDPrior to constructing trails, the City's public works department should be consulted relative to their staffing,time,equipment,etc.to verify that the ability exists to properly maintain the trails which will be constructed. Also consider the long-term replacement costs of trail surfaces and other major recreation components. ► Asphalt needs resurfacing every seven to fifteen years, depending on site conditions and construction quality. In 1992 dollars,it cost a minimum of$10 per lineal foot to remove and replace asphalt and$5 per lineal foot to overlay an existing asphalt trail with a I '/2 inch top coating. ► Concrete lasts approximately twenty-five or more years, but replacement costs about$25 per lineal foot(in 1992). ► Crushed stone will typically last seven to ten years,although it requires frequent patching and spot repairs. Replacement costs about$5 per lineal foot. ► Wood chips decompose rapidly under prolonged exposure to sun, heat, and moisture,wash easily under moderate slopes and rainfall, and require almost constant maintenance to keep the width and depth consistent. They are, • however,often available at no cost(or a nominal cost) from commercial tree- trimming services. The types of support facilities your trail will need-and their placement along the trail - TRAIL SUPPORT depend on several factors:the setting and proposed uses of the trail,the trail's intensity FACILITIES of use, the level of servicing/maintenance that the facilities need, and the utility/infrastructure requirements of the facilities. Whatever the location, user groups, and desired activities along the trail,you must plan for trail facilities from the start. If you cannot afford to develop all facilities at the outset,know the types of facilities that you and your community ultimately want. To a large degree,the parks,schools and many commercial operations within Oak Park Heights act as"built-in"trail nodes and stopping points where persons may rest,obtain shelter from the elements,eat lunch,use a bathroom or get a drink of water. The distance between these known points and exactly what they offer should be studied in the early stages of trail design and implementation. In areas where distances are excessive or where CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 14 easy access(either physically or at certain times of day)is a problem,consideration should TRAIL SUPPORT be given to establishing support facilities to supplement the existing ones. FACILITIES, • continued To get the most out of a trail experience, it helps to start with a beautiful trail setting LANDSCAPING which offers exceptional landscapes and visual amenities. In reality,however,not all trail corridors come with such benefits and require significant work in the form of landscaping to give the trail a personality of its own. To create a successful trail experience,you must consider the perspective of the user. Since the landscape is typically viewed while moving, a sequence of views is more important than a single view in one direction. Trails are multi- dimensional,with things to see,hear,and feel along the way. In developing a landscape plan for trails in the community,you must think of it as a phased process which is an on-going commitment. The overall intent and that of specific areas may differ significantly based upon what land uses are adjacent to the trail,whether it is along a roadway or not,as well as what environmental and soil conditions are present. On-going maintenance is a major factor in a multi-use trail's landscape plan; even "natural"landscapes require trimming,weeding,etc. Cleared and mowed trail shoulders at least two (2) feet wide on either side of the trail provide a groomed look,offer better visibility,and provide an option for those who like to utilize soft surfaces. It is best to setback trees and shrubs, when planted, at least five (5) feet from the trail surface to control the inundation of paved areas by tree/plant roots. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 75 CITY OF OAK PARK DRAFT HEIGHTS APRIL 20, 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK � TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 1999 NORTHWEST ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS INC. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS • Oak Park Heights Parks Commission Kevin Furlong,Chair Margie Schwartzbauer Liz Weaver Dania Berger Gina Bias-Ieuli Oak Park Heights Mayor & City Council Mayor David D.Schaaf David Beaudet lynae Byrne Mark Swenson Jerry Turnquist Oak Park Heights City Administrator • Thomas Melena Community Development Director Kris Danielson Public Works Director Jay Johnson CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN RESOURCES • Trails for the Twenty-First Century: Planning, Design & Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails. Edited by Karen-Lee Ryan, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Written by Charles A. Flink, Peter Lagerwey, Diana Balmori,and Robert M.Seams. Published by Island Press,Washington D.C., 1993 Recreation, Park & Open Space Standards & Guidelines. Edited by Roger A. Lancaster. Written and Published by the National Recreation& Park Association. Alexandria,VA, 1983 Park Planning Guidelines, Third Edition. By George E. Fogg. Written and Published by the National Recreation &Park Association. • Alexandria,VA, 1981 Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. Co-edited by Charles W. Harris& Nicholas T. Dines. Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York, 1988 • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN ii CONTENTS • Introduction I Park & Trail Inventory 2 Existing Parks 2 Existing& Proposed Park Components Chart 4 Maps of Existing Parks S Existing Trails 10 Map of Existing Trails I I Issues Identification 12 Parks Commission Issues 12 City Council Trail Issues 16 Issues and Analysis 19 Planning Issues 19 Park Issues 20 Trail Issues 21 Acquisition Issues 22 Development/Maintenance Issues 23 Recreation System Policies 24 System Policies 24 Acquisition Policies 25 Programming/Development Policies 26 Facility Purpose& Design 28 Maintenance&Operation 30 Public Relations&Community Issues 30 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN iii Trail Facilities Masterplan 31 Muti-Use Trail System 31 On-Street Trails 32 Grade-Separated Trails 32 Overland Trails 32 Proposed Trail Routes 3S State Highway 36 Corridor 35 Oakgreen Avenue 36 Osgood Avenue 36 NSP Power Line Easement 37 Western Oak Park Heights 38 Central Oak Park Heights 39 Northeast Oak Park Heights 40 Southeast Oak Park Heights 40 Park and Trail Plan 42 Detailed Park and Trail Plan 43 Park Facilities Masterplan 44 Valley View Park 44 kke k 45 • SwagerBreParPark 45 Cover Park 46 Boutwells Park 41 Town Center 47 Potential Park and Recreation Areas 47 Proposed Park Plans 48 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN • iv Park Guidelines & Classification System 55 Neighborhood Playground 55 • Neighborhood Parks 56 Community Playfields 56 Community Parks 57 Mini-Parks or Tot Lots 58 Natural/Conservancy Area 58 Schools 58 City Park Service Areas Map 60 Implementation 61 Land Acquisition 61 Park&Trail Dedication Fees 61 Funding Options 62 Capital Improvement Process 65 Community Education 66 Signage 66 Appendix 67 Facilities Planning& Design Guidelines 67 Trail Guidelines 67 • Trail Design Standards 11 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN INTRODUCTION • The Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan,adopted in 1998,indicates that a Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan will be completed in 1999. The Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan contains elements of the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail System Plan, 1995, and also looks at facilities in existing parks, potential for new parks,and provides a clear implementation plan. The Comprehensive Plan indicates that the City's population is aging with a growing number of two person households,where the children have left home. The City also has a growing amount of elderly housing. In recognition of the changing demographics of the community,this plan seeks to provide opportunities for recreation for all ages. The first section of the Park and Trail Plan is a description and summary of the background inventory that provides the basis for the Park and Trail Plan. The Inventory is followed by two chapters containing park and trail issues identified by the City Council, Park Commission,City staff,and other residents. The Issues Identification chapter contains issues identified for each park and area of the City. The Issues and Analysis chapter contains more general constraints and opportunities the City faces in the implementation of its park and trail system. The Recreation System Policies chapter contains policies that reflect the community's general treatment of its recreational services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development standards. The Recreational Facilities Masterplan follows the policies and provides the direction and recommendations for park and trail planning and development. The Proposed Multi-Use Trail Routes chapter identifies trail routes that are part of the City's recreational facilities improvement plan. The Planning • and Design Guidelines and Standards follow for parks and trails. Implementation is the final chapter of the Park and Trail Plan. Provide recreational facilities for all ages and areas of Oak Park Heights and link all parts MAIN GOAL of Oak Park Heights internally as well as to neighboring communities by a safe and convenient multi-use trail system. • S CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN PARK & TRAIL INVENTORY • The first step in determining the needs of the City's recreational system is the identification of the existing conditions. The existing park and trail facilities were identified through site inspections by City Staff,Park Commission members,and planning consultants. This identification process included both location, size and physical amenities of the facility in question,as well as the condition and level of development of the facility,both of which may affect eventual use of the park or trail sites. The items inventoried for each facility were gathered with the goal of being able to place the parks and trails in the context of a system of recreational opportunities. The baseline data provided in this effort helps the City to understand how its park and trail facilities fit together, and provides the information necessary to identify gaps or areas of need. The City of Oak Park Heights contains four established parks and one park that is in the EXISTING PARKS process of being developed. The parks vary in size, location,and service. Parks play an important role not only in their overall recreational benefit to the residents of Oak Park Heights but as a crucial destination point directly related to the establishment of trails. All are interrelated and each portion from the park land itself all the way down to a single picnic table or foot of trail plays an important role in completing a recreational link, therefore adding to the comprehensive system. Valley View Park is the largest park within the City and is intended as a city-wide passive park for hikers,picnics and nature. It is viewed by the City as a very unique and positive amenity in the community given its dense vegetation,variation in topography,wetlands, and array of existing and potential uses. The park is an important link between the lower (east) portion of the City and Osgood Avenue (via its entrance drive, and/or through Brekke Heights or Valley View Estates residential subdivisions). Adjacent to the Valley View Park is the Northern States Power ash disposal facility. NSP will be closing portions of the disposal site beginning in 1999. The City has plans in cooperation with NSP to create a regional destination for residents as well as visitors to the St. Croix Valley integrated through trail connections with Valley View Park and the rest of the community. • Brekke Park is a high quality,intensively utilized City park intended as an active area for field games and a playground area for toddler age and older. It is located adjacent to State of Minnesota land controlled by the Department of Natural Resources and serves as a community playfield for residents in the south central portion of the City, primarily between Osgood and Oakgreen Avenues. As stated in the 1998 Comprehensive Plan, in • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 2 1999,the City will actively be working with the Department of Natural Resources to release EXISTING the property to the south and allow for extension of the City. This area has potential for PARKS, ipreservation of open space and park land as well as a possible golf course/housing continued development. Swager Park serves as a neighborhood playground along the linear park system. The park is fairly centralized within the community and is located within a Northern States Power Easement. A trail has been constructed within the easement from the east end of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. This trail has the potential to be extended all the way from Valley View Park to the high school and western City limits. The park is located to the west of the St.Croix Mall and has the potential serve employees and visitors of the mall if a trail connection is provided. Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for residents in the surrounding neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat segregated from the north and western portions of the City. Cover Park will not be impacted physically by the proposed Highway 36/95 bridge construction,but will ultimately lie in close proximity to the realigned intersection. Beach Road may be terminated,thus eliminating an existing connection to the northern part of the City, although access will be provided along 59th Street (east-west)between Highway 95 and the Osgood Avenue/Highway 36 commercial core and may ultimately connect with the NSP site. Peller Avenue will be designated as the 111 southerly access connecting Valley View Park and then through to the western portion of the City. Boutwells Park is a 24 acre park planned within the annexation area to the west of Oakgreen Avenue. The park will be developed as part of the Valley Senior Services Alliance senior community project. The park will gain access from 58th Street and is intended to serve surrounding area neighborhoods. The park will also be the focal point for residents from all areas of the City given the proximity/potential connection to the high school and system of internal trails planned around the wetlands. The table on the following page provides an overview of the existing and planned park components/facilities within the community. Maps of existing parks and trails are provided following the existing and proposed park components table. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 3 U.. g N x x x x x • 4. W4 N x > > > x EXISTING & PROPOSED ._d �x �x8 x PARK z COMPONENTS z : am LLA 2 m sr > > > x E O V v...„ W = = CC a CLI g W ag� x > > x H zz C O �_ > > x CC C` ad a.,Zr- r".�o L7 =5 Z E" _ 47- in d2 . x N 6 W Z 0 3N > > > x Y C W 5 H z J ). o Ct. g CC _o s Q s 0 W mm �xs ).xs >>cE3 VI Z m W — m W W W ,, o J 3 = 3 W o = 3z N43:a;�un V. NIm x x W W Cg40 Q. ...id =c-.Ca, ==WLA-I"_ C. Z 0s »� »QP, ii O x V on nar iW am� .1 x � un uu z �Wm m��d � xZ ID �= e 4 T S pp�� W V W Hit o_ CC K 6 se Q! s 6.O 4 O J �i s a s -m d mo o_ co as ': ::1 State Highway 36 ____ -r-in- _ - l I • NSP Ash / L� � Disposal Site n Cover LI . 11111,.. , ,ill_oril___:,. IF '..Trail Connection ;� )1 a 1 ^., L o 1 1.1.�1..L.L� C 1 1Q "• b11 l� - ,1•J. ' ....‘.4.:,....L.4.. 4'L L LTL ` d 1 �� .4•L. 'A•L� a•L. Y L• L L L L 1 • ��'G a•L.l•A'L•A''LL.L•1L•L Y-'14* L•.L d.�,'4•�J,•L•1• 1 41.•.1.J. .1. .1..4'.4' •L:4 •�1•, :' ' .L'7ii - �. J.J. ..4•:1-:1. 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J.:•1.L.L..J.• J..L1,1.•.& 1. L 1-. , J.,1 J.. G JJ �'• r ��w) r •.4 J.. .. ,..-J.• r.J• { J..L. J. , !-..' 1 .4.4 J•..4..4.J...4.J- ,1-' I- 1•I.1 J. t i� 1: t, �it :...................4..........- te ok 770 •J, J..!•J..J' J. .J. ...J , .PavedRoad ` ,soIhor � '`Ii<411- ♦ . N. 1.x.•1.1.,1, 1J 1•11 ..411 1 4 • 4 1 .1 l J. 1°4p rj urlillR� J.L. J: .1.'.4 •••J. 1. 1,J 1 J.x 1 1 1 J 1. 4•L.L L.J.'J. J,�J..1. IL J. 1I.'.: Jl� 1.•1 • 1•L L'-1. . !.'L'J, 1 J.'. .,.. J ` _ • _.ui • • J L••,J'Al J.:J.:J.'L•1....1.-I.' 1.•1 .F• 1.1 J..J.-J. 1' J. _Valley View Park Road State Correctional Facility Valley View Park I 411111111. z N�C Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 0 1ta0 300 FEET4) City of Oak Park Heights City of Oak Park Heights • an• 11IIIl.11.IlllII.IMIM1I=m.m. 'mi••m.m.mi•..•i•.immm.•m.i..m.•. m. .. mm ..m .mmm..•iimm,,,,,. ......: .. - 4111) . anuany pooBsO 0 , o U Al 1= kVc 1a I /� > a li r c o)c J = /�1 L 000000 w •—. \-_-.1\ m O m d v I Q D Q 0 N v iiJH � tom Ia I_l -I r- 1! ., i 0CD z Lam- m O aC to c 0 ..v41 1 fp .N•aw Jew() 0 a Y o r .. _ acn o 0 I C '5 8 U O =• 0 0 0 o c I 1100000 �p o 0 0 0 0 0 0 o J Z O N • Y C V CIS f7• 1 [—Ft- —I F___I • C 2 CDCO cc / / Om CL I = 1 I v Z • �, a • • I 5. . = L k___._--I Y H 3 I � m a 1 , co -•• ----y) ,.., 0 I _ • vIm I • co 0 Z V •~} \� a .W c :).'.. , .•..\..•••...... 1.11 a i / g wLLK ,6. 1 1/ S � %/ • s ` o 0 • g 211 ( i ,,,,, Te.o. O Y % L 15O n. L .5 .„ . ..., t:1E 0 co I n. _ V I 7 CO �'o o tii C (a .-i..- co a. 1 ii c,_ 5 dli , •., , m -1 Q ,c. .... f0 .. O a; iio —y �) Z U :, 1 m a°�i 1 1 tfl Ulif ` U 5 tii Z d • Ln I a) EV Li I toco i I to . LE J (:_ N 1 i i EHi1 N NO _ - z dm U i Z co 'c Ci c 0 c ~ m E 1 N W 1 EDI 0 tL co y0 Z ~ 'I+--il` u. w I 0 D . 41-10N anuany pieW3I0 • I I 0 1 0 1 • ' T 3 ., ..„ ' ( e 1„, Parking Lot ,:4,44 .. ipir A- , i 11,,,--Top of Slope i C Perennial Path---- . ! Planting Hockey Rink Parking Z mor4. < Vi `i • t 1 I Rock l I Wall 41 or ucture I --J lay Str1 (Perennial Planting 0 on Slope -) rs leasure �� kating/ • p Basketball N' G ill, I I et and Swings Park :--Building 1 - 1 r L, 0 25 50 FEET y 58th Street t City of Oak Park Heights Van Accessible Handicapped Parking Cover Park • Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 City of Oak Park Heights 8 Brackey Addition J . • .58'n Street North _.•_...— :-r--. -.}cel ` •1 ` , 1 11 11' .........,• , `, s.(‘ .I,s v 1 •\ 11111 *I t \s. N „ rib ip \ ..._ • ,....._ • ... „• „ _ : _ 41.,•._,...,. .... ,, 4 s. . , , , , , , , . 1..... . ...., ..,, : : ,,,, s\y„ 1 „ILL_. _• • ... ; „ , , ,, , 1 .n___.- i-i-.0 ‘--?vz? • , ' ' , • ). ." , , , N • I / Ii ..-. 1 •,.1'.‘,\ : I ‘,'\ ' r„\ , ‘• ' II / , , \ L e , _/. , ._ ' .1 ' 1 I' 1` \, 1` , , -- --- .,,‘,,,‘,.......,. :,,, ,,i , . . : _ _ Com' �� 1 ' "'! , ' •� Q 1 1, / , ` 1 • / ' I C\ ., • 0 • / . • ^3 /• '' i, ‘�\ 1 . Wil,. .'i - _ 1,C.\; — \ ', , 1 1 lit f, I 1' i 'r \ %) l '/ tO / I il. , s s • /. / --;•7- 44. . - , ..%.- v ..„----- . __ ...... . _ _ ....„ . , , , a, ,----- ,..,f-•-' k-—--'1 ' ' I .4* ..t1 / . CR c: ::: / f \--Environmental / �/ h 1 -:?1 LearningCenter ., 0 Boutwells Park 0 100 2C0 FEET 41) City of Oak Park Heights N/ G Source:Aerial Photograph,1996 • Senior Life Community Plans,1998 9 i • A number of trails have been constructed in Oak Park Heights in the past few years and EXISTING more construction is planned. In 1995,when the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian TRAILS Trail System Plan was completed, the only trail routes available were a few sidewalks located in the area adjacent to the City of Stillwater and trail connections to existing parks. Since then,a number of trail segments have been completed. In 1997 a trail was constructed in central Oak Park Heights within a Northern States Power easement. This trail runs from the east side of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue North. The trail is heavily used and has potential for extension to both the east and west. In western Oak Park Heights, trails have also been constructed or are in the process of being constructed between Oakgreen Avenue and State Highway 5 along 58t Street and between Norell Avenue and 58th Street along Highway 36. A strip of open space 150 feet wide is provided along a portion of the 58th Street trail west of Oakgreen Avenue. In eastern Oak Park Heights,a short trail has been constructed next to a wetland to connect Stagecoach Trail (CSAH 21)with 58t Street North. In addition to these trails, trail entrances into City parks connect 57th Street North to Swager Park,connect 55th Street North to Brekke Park,and connect Ozark Avenue and 57th Street North to Valley View Park. Washington County includes two trail corridor links through Oak Park Heights as secondary trail components of the county-wide system. The trails are designated along State Highway 95 (St.Croix Trail North) and County Highway 21 (Stagecoach Trail North) which both run in a north-south configuration. The Highway 95 route runs parallel to the river and is the most heavily used route by bicyclists who travel south though Bayport and is a high priority bicycle route for the County. The Highway 21 route splits off from Highway 95 in southern Oak Park Heights and runs more inland than the Highway 95 trail through scenic areas of West Lakeland Township and Afton. Washington County also plans to utilize the shoulders along Osgood Avenue as part of the secondary trail route. 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The following is a summary issues raised by the Parks Commission and staff. ► Provide opportunities for all ages to participate in lifetime fitness through the use GENERAL PARK of trails,tennis courts,cross-county skiing,and other activities. ISSUES ► Develop recreational and environmental education programs to familiarized people with the parks. ► A system of signage to identify parks and graphically inform people about the location and extent of park and trail facilities is needed. ► Create Oak Park Heights monument signs with plantings welcomingvisitors to the City. ► Link all parks within the City through a system of trails. ► Year-round parking and indoor recreational facilities are needed. ► Plan for parks as a unified system with consistent hours of operation. ► Continue to explore joint park use with Oak Park Elementary and adjacent facilities. • ► Welcome the public to the park with an inviting landscaped entry. (Potential for VALLEY VIEW cooperation with the garden club.) PARK ► Identify park boundaries and aid visitors in locating picnic and trail facilities with improved signage. ► Allow safe access to the lower area of the park with an improved trail system. ► Provide trail connections to the east with a bridge across the wetland area. ► Maintain a natural aesthetic in the park,including trails that are integrated with the contour of the land and wood chip paths. ► Consider handicapped accessibility in all decisions regarding trail and bridge facilities. ► Develop recreation and environmental education programsthatwould familiarize people with the park. ► Consider the park as a gateway to the community. ► Develop the Northern States Power property adjacent to the park as the disposal CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 12 facility doses to create a year-round regional destination integrated through trail VALLEY VIEW connections with Valley View Park and the rest of the community. PARK, 1111 continued • Work with the DNR to build additional ball fields, a golf course, and a club BREKKE PARK house/concession stand on DNR land south of Brekke Park. ► Maintain longer bathroom hours (with an attendant to prevent vandalism). ► Explore trail/road access from the DNR land,even if additional facilities are not built there. ► Explore expansion and improvements to the existing Brekke Park picnic shelter. ► Consider options for better accessibility to the lower level of the park shelter. ► Improve the park through identification and directional signage. ► Construct a hard surface under the hockey rink to provide a better and more long lasting ice surface in the winter and to provide a skateboard/rollerblade area in the warmer months. ► Consider improvements described in the grant proposal of 1996 including the following: ► A trail with an east/west orientation along the parking lot and northern edge of the park. ► Additional facilities in the eastern portion of the park including a picnic • shelter,Iandforms,tricycle raceway,and plantings. ► Reconfigure/move basketball court. ► Improve identification signage. SWAGER PARK ► Improve trail entrances to the park,especially the access from the shopping mall parking lot. ► Improve parking area. ► Consider the park as a linear park segment within the trail system, rather than as a destination in itself. ► Create a unified theme throughout the park. ► Create a landscaping plan that provides additional trees and shrubs. ► Provide benches throughout the park. ► Plant 16 small trees provided through an NSP grant. ► Install tree/fence screening along the northern boundary of the park. ► Upgrade tennis courts. . CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 13 • Provide lighting along trail. SWAGER PARK, • Improve visibility by removing buckthorn and other exotic species along the trail continued • west of the park and create a landscape plan. ► Provide additional play equipment for young children. • Providing bathrooms in the park would be a useful addition. ► Install more picnic tables and benches throughout the park. • Enlarge and improve parking lot. COVER PARK • Provide garbage containers,especially in the summer when the hockey rink is used to let dogs run. ► Improve existing warming house building. ► Construct a City-operated greenhouse attached to the warming house. ► Connect to the NSP property and Valley View Park by extending a trail from the cul-de-sac next to Cover Manor. ► Evaluate long-term uses with expansion of Valley View Park and development opportunities associated with MnDOT properties. ► Require the developer to provide a year-round community center/open air BOUTWELLS shelter with bathrooms. IDProvide a tot lot,play structure,and picnic tables. PARK ► Develop the park in a way that allows sliding on the larger hills. ► Develop recreational programs. ► Encourage cross-country skiing by not clearing all of the trails in the winter. ► Provide trail connections to other areas of the City and the Environmental Learning Center. ► Provide gathering areas,benches,and shade trees. ► Create trail connections to the Central Business District from Boutwells Park TOWN CENTER and the trail that currently ends at Oakgreen Avenue. ► Design a town square with landscaping,fountains,a skating rink, benches/resting areas,waterways and other attractions. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS IP 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAIN ► Cooperate with MN/DOT to construct a walking bridge or sidewalk as part of HIGHWAY 36 110 bridge replacement across Highway 36 in eastern Oak Park Heights. ► MnDOT to beautify Highway 36 east of Norell Avenue by planting trees and shrubs on both sides of frontage roads. ► Restore prairie areas where possible along the trail system. TRAIL ISSUES ► Construct educational environmental kiosks and signs at Valley View Park,by City Hall,at Boutwells Park,and in other appropriate locations along the east/west trail corridor. ► Provide benches/resting areas along trails. ► Link northern Oak Park Heights to the NSP property,Valley View Park,and Oak Park Elementary. ► Re-stripe the southern edge of the St.Croix Mall parking lot with a trail lane and stripe a crosswalk over Osgood with signage between Osgood and Valley View Park. i • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 15 ii The following trail issues were identified by the City Council in a special workshop held on February 13, 1995: Link Oak Park Heights to Stillwater and Bayport by way of MnDOT's proposed trail on NORTHERN OAK PARK Highway 95. HEIGHTS Link Sunnyside to MnDOT's trail and to the proposed Stillwater park on the existing Aiple Marine property. Link Sunnyside to the bluff area by way of Lookout Trail. Find a way to link Lookout Trail to the west via County 23,proposed frontage road,or 62nd Street. Link the homes west of Osgood Avenue to the south and east and define the best trail route along one or both sides of Osgood Avenue. Provide access from the homes north of 62nd Street and east of Osgood Avenue to the area south of Highway 36 using either trail along 62nd,Oxboro Avenue,or possible re- opening of Panama Avenue. • Link Lower Oak Park Heights (eastern residential neighborhoods) on the south side of EASTERN 59th Street to the rest of Oak Park Heights via a potential connection across the NSP OAK PARK Waste Disposal Facility to the frontage road where it dead-ends at Club Tara. HEIGHTS MnDOT should provide a bike trail along the south side of Highway 36 from Club Tara to Osgood Avenue. Provide easy access to the Holiday Gas Station at the southeast corner of Osgood Avenue EAST OF and Highway 36 for the residents of this area to convenience food shop; potentially via OSGOOD & internal traffic circulation using Osman Avenue,going behind Rapid Oil Change and SOUTH OF linking this to Greenbriar Apartments and Valley View Estates. HIGHWAY 36 Find a way for Valley View residents to access Valley View Park's developed area by way CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS • 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLANI of a paved trail coming out to Osgood Avenue and going in by way of 56th Street. EAST OFOS GOOD & • Provide access for those residents east of Osgood Avenue to safely cross Osgood Avenue HIGHWAYH OF and access the mall,Swager Park,and Brekke Park. 36, continued Define where the designated crosswalk(s) should be south of Highway 36 on Osgood Avenue. Utilize the NSP easement as an east-west link through the City. Explore using the mall NSP EASEMENT parking lot as a link and evaluate the potential impacts to the parking lot. Address the issue of pedestrians and bicyclists using the mall entrance at the same time as vehicles. Connect the Pondview Condominiums at the southwest corner of Highway 36 and Oakgreen OAKGREEN Avenue to the rest of the community. AVENUE & VICINITY Connect the NSP easement trail with the frontage road intersection at Oakgreen Avenue. Connect the NSP easement trail with the entrance for the proposed 58th Street and the trail along Oakgreen Avenue to the south. • Investigate the possibility of crossing Oakgreen Avenue at the NSP easement/frontage road intersection and continuing further west in the narrow strip of land known as Registered Land Survey No. 114,Tract A,then cut south to connect with 58th Street. Study the need for trail(s) along one or both sides of Oakgreen Avenue. Determine whether 58th Street or some other location such as 55th Street is the best place to cross Oakgreen Avenue. Define whether trails along 58th Street will adequately serve the annexation area between Oakgreen Avenue and the high school. Link Baytown Township with the proposed annexation area park and connect the park and high school to all surrounding area communities. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLA1N The City approved MnDOT's conceptual plan to rely upon 58th Street as the primary off- FRONTAGE • road trail area west of Oakgreen Avenue. Evaluate the proposed eight foot berm which ROADS could someday be used for Trail construction at the City's expense. Define where trails should be along the entire length of Highway 36 frontage roads. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN I8 ISSUES AND ANALYSIS • This section of the Park and Trail Plan develops the Inventory information and specific concerns identified by the Park Commission and staff into a set of issues which the following Policy and System Plan sections will be designed to address. A comprehensive listing of issues helps bridge the gap between raw data collected through site analysis/meetings and plan development/prioritization. In other words, issues help to clarify the park and trail planning needs and desires of the community which the inventory work finds. Identify a planning process for review and update of the Park and Trail Plan. Review may PLANNING occur yearly, for instance, and comprehensive update of the Plan may occur every five ISSUES years. Future park and trail needs should be evaluated regularly by the Park Board in comparison to the Plan. Define the means by which public participation can be a regular part of the planning process (meetings,surveys,etc). Discuss the means by which to implement park/trail facilities(ie:policies vs.ordinances). • Encourage property owners to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. For example, land owners in more rural areas may be willing to give up a 10-20 foot strip of land along the periphery of their acreage for development of a trail. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts would or could be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Consider including a map of the City park and trail areas,along with proposed routes, within a newsletter on a yearly basis to make citizens more aware of recreational opportunities. Determine if and where the establishment of user fees may be appropriate. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 19 • Consider having a master plan prepared for each parcel of land intended for park purposes, to be used as a guide in the future development of such. It is crucial that the City plan for PARK ISSUES recreational facilities prior to the acquisition of land. Define park development priorities, ie: in new subdivisions, in older neighborhoods with lacking facilities, in regions expected to develop,improve existing parks,etc. Consider establishing more strict park dedication requirements which make it more or equally as profitable for developers to dedicate land instead of money. Determine whether existing and proposed park areas are desired for year-round or seasonal usage and what effect this will have on park facilities and design. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening,landscaping,setbacks,etc. SDecide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. County, athletic Identify in what park situations lighting would be appropriate or necessary. It is possible that this may only be accomplished as plans for each park or trail are established. Discuss how park and playground buildings can be constructed to be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities in regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials. Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent properties, ie:off-street parking,screening, landscaping,setbacks, etc. Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic associations,civic groups,etc.can be accomplished. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 20 Discuss a system of signage which may serve to identify park areas,direct people to specific PARK AR ISSUES, uses,and outline rules of use. nuedi Discuss the types of parks that the City wishes to establish and develop policies for each (see attached information). Trail uses can vary greatly depending upon what is permitted by a municipality. Trail uses TRAIL ISSUES can be either functional,recreational or both. Walking,running,bicycling,roller skating, skiing,snowmobiling,and recreation vehicle trails are most common. It is beneficial in many cases to separate the active or motorized uses from passive (walking) uses. In developed areas it is wise to prohibit motorized trail usage altogether and instead allow it within rural areas as an interim use until such time as development occurs. The size of trails involves two factors: width and length. The minimum recommended width for multi-use trails is eight feet, although it is beneficial in many situations to provide increased width depending upon the use and location. The length of trails should be varied to provide choices for users. The location of trails within the community may be constructed in one of three general ways: I) on street, separated by a painted line, 2) off street, but parallel to the road • surface like a sidewalk, or 3) completely separated from the road and not necessarily parallel to it. Define how railroad rights-of-way and utility easements may be utilized as trail corridors. The surfacing of sidewalks or trails may be asphalt, concrete, brick, pavers, gravel, woodchip,or grass depending on what their intended use is. Trail signage should be considered for several purposes: I)to denote the type of trail and permitted uses,2)to give direction as to where they lead,and 3)to warn vehicles of trail crossings,on-street routes,etc.for safety purposes. Snow removal from trails is another issue which must be considered. The location,width, construction material,and use will all affect this decision. Many trails may be desirable during winter months if left unplowed for use by skiers,sleds,etc. Others which connect residential areas to schools or are heavily traveled by pedestrians for recreational purposes may best be kept free of snow and ice. A plan for removal should be coordinated with the CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN maintenance department which identifies high priority trails which demand immediate TRAIL ISSUES, • snow removal attention and those which are given attention only when time allows. continued Lighting of trail corridors is an important factor which extends the usable time for residents'use as well as aiding in the prevention of serious accidents and crime. It allows the police visibility into many areas as part of their routine surveillance. The types of lighting varies widely and is available for all situations, but in some cases lighting may only be desired as a secondary benefit from street lights which already exist. Handicapped access to at least a portion of City trails is an important issue to think about. Keep in mind the surfacing,length/width,and slope of trails to be utilized by wheelchairs. It may be beneficial to establish a policy for the establishment of handicapped accessible trails;for instance:50 percent of all trails constructed must be designed to accommodate the disabled. The types of auxiliary or support elements which can be provided in association with trail corridors is also an issue. Benches,picnic tables,water fountains,exercise courses,and the like may be positive additions to the City trail routes and possibly become a standard in some areas. 1111 Consider establishing a system for dedication of trail corridors or monies. Identify the acquisition means for parks/trails(ie:dedication,purchase,eminent domain, ACQUISITION donation),when each system is appropriate and what will be the priority process. ISSUES Outlots vs. easements, what is more appropriate when land is dedicated as part of a subdivision? Work with the City Engineer to define the ROW widths that are necessary to establish trails along designated roadways;for instance:an eight(8)foot trail necessitates a fifteen(15) foot easement and ten (10) foot level bench (construction) area. Many times additional temporary easement area is needed to grade surrounding areas. Define the minimum width necessary for park access within a subdivision when located between two lots, as well as the screening/buffering and maintenance requirements (property owners may mow the grass up to the trail, but not want responsibility for tree and shrub care). • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 22 Discuss sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition of park and trail elements, ie: ACQUISITION • dedication monies,capital improvement program,bond issuance,grant programs,etc. ISSUES, continued Establish who is responsible for establishment of approved park or trail areas within subdivisions (developer or City). Discuss what amount of maintenance is possible at the current staff level and at what point DEVELOPMENT/ additional staff persons would be needed to maintain the recreational system as it grows. MAINTENANCE Do we want to allow only low maintenance facilities at the current time or do we have the ISSUES capability to maintain an intensely developed park system? Define ways in which to minimize park and trail costs, ie: construction of trails in conjunction with roadway improvements or at time of subdivision. i • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK& TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 23 RECREATION SYSTEM POLICIES • No matter how well done a physical Park and Trail Plan may be,no plan can anticipate every eventuality. Growth in the City may occur in new locations which the Trail Plan cannot possibly anticipate or expect. Growth can also occur much faster or slower than the Plan contemplates. Even though the physical Park and Trail Plan does not provide for facilities in these new locations,the City's Comprehensive Recreation System Policies can still apply. Policies reflect the community's general treatment of its recreation services and provide more detailed guidance on park and trail development standards. Park and trail policies in this Plan were developed through the analysis of the issues identified in the Inventory and Issues Analysis phase of work. Additionally, the policies which were adopted as part of the City's 1991 Park Study for Newly Annexed Areas have been incorporated into the policy and park planning sections contained herein to create a single,comprehensive park/trail planning and development guide. As with any Policy Plan,it is important to read the statements together,rather than as disjoint declarations. Although unanticipated development may leave a map out of date, it is expected that the Policies are more enduring. The City should update the Policy Plan as new or amended policies are adopted. Develop an on-going planning process for the establishment of parks and trails which SYSTEM • responds to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policies as well as those identified herein. POLICIES Identify present and future park/trail needs on a regular basis for evaluation by the Park Commission and City Council. Review the established park/trail plans on a yearly basis to ensure that needs and priorities are up to date. Establish a time period for comprehensive update of the plan. Prepare a master plan for each component of the park/trail system to be used as the basis for development. Promote public participation in the planning process via the Park Commission hosting a forum for open discussion of issues. Promote integration with other City activities,services,and facilities. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 24 Identify the means by which to implement park/trail administration and operations (ie: SYSTEM by the Park Commission and City Council policies, procedures,and ordinances). POLICIES, • continued Acquire park/trail facilities to satisfy the recreational and transportation needs of the ACQUISITION residents on both a neighborhood and community-wide basis. POLICIES Identify means for park/trail acquisition, ie: dedication, purchase, eminent domain, donation. Identify means for establishment of park/trail facilities within subdivisions, ie: outlots, easements,etc. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process (see development standards contained herein). Identify sources of funds to be utilized for acquisition, ie: trail dedication fund,capital improvement program,bond issuance,grant programs,etc. • Establish who is responsible for park/trail construction within subdivisions. Determine to what extent wetlands, drainage ways, floodplain areas, etc. should be accepted as part of park and trail dedication within subdivisions. Besides the standard programs and facilities typically recognized by the City,consideration should be given to the following areas: ► Areas for nature preservation ► Historic preservation ► Cultural enrichment ► Facilities for the handicapped/disabled ► Public activity areas and facilities in employment centers ► Organized sports and recreational activities ► Teen programs and facilities ► Senior citizen programs and facilities CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 25 The inclusion of environmentally sensitive areas (lake frontage, forests, native prairie, ACQUISITION bluffs, unique vegetative associations, etc.) into park or trail facilities should be POLICIES, • considered to contribute to the overall recreation system. continued Consider acquiring land for parks/trails at an early date to meet long range needs before development pressures render the property too expensive. Consider accepting park land dedications consistent with the adopted park/trails plan and accepting only cash in areas which serve no system purpose. Consider crediting for dedication of park and trail lands only those parcels which are not within delineated wetlands or which include slopes of no more than twelve (I2) percent. Create and maintain an attractive,diverse,and interesting system of urban parks/trails. PROGRAMMING/ DEVELOPMENT Create a City-wide park and trail system designed to minimize conflicts between POLICIES pedestrians and motor vehicles. Minimize park and trail construction costs by constructing trails in conjunction with state, county,and city street improvements. • Parks and trails constructed on a priority basis, according to capital improvement plan/available funds;trail priorities may be: ► Trails along major streets which focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety and which provide direct access to city/regional destinations and parks. ► Trails that will serve the most intensely used areas. ► Trail construction within existing parks and upon municipal property. ► Trail inclusion within new park/subdivision development. ► Completion of links between existing trails and other communities. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 26 Park priorities may be: PROGRAMMING/ • Establishment DEVELOPMENT of parks in association with new subdivisions. POLICIES, continued ► Establishment of parks in undeveloped areas or newer parts of the City. ► Creation of neighborhood and community-wide parks. ► Develop existing vacant parks. ► Upgrade/improve upon existing park equipment. Utilize railroad and/or utility rights-of-way for trails or linear parks. Identify types of financing to be utilized for park/trail acquisition and development. Review park dedication fees in comparison to surrounding areas and in regard to the cities needs (land vs.cash). Encourage the private sector to provide recreational opportunities/facilities. Provide support facilities in conjunction with trail development. Fully organize and outline new recreation programs prior to initiation and implementation. Determine where the establishment of user fees is appropriate to combat recreation costs. Determine under what circumstances unsolicited gifts and donations will be accepted if they are free of obligations or potential future impacts. Determine under what circumstances volunteer efforts will be utilized to expand the City's recreational elements. Active use recreation areas should be designed for year-round use with an established system of maintenance. Park and playground buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities with regard to scale,design,color,setbacks,and materials. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 21 Park and trail development should minimize impacts on adjacent properties through PROGRAMMING/ • provisions for,but not limited to: DEVELOPMENT POLICIES, ► Adequate off-street parking continued ► Appropriate orientation and location of buildings and activity areas ► Screening,buffering,and landscaping ► Adequate setbacks and physical separation Coordinate facility development with the needs of community residents, Park Board services,athletic associations,civic groups,etc. Maximize park accessibility by city residents to best serve the area. Coordinate yearly park events. Consider the long term costs of maintenance and operation in a facility's design and development. Preserve existing physical site amentities (natural or man-made) and encourage the establishment of new site amenities when planning and developing park areas. Ensure that the proper right-of-way widths are dedicated or easements are established for sidewalks and trails during the subdivision process. Establish park and trail facilities which provide recreational as well as functional uses. FACILITY PURPOSE & Provide varying types of trails to be used as the basis of planning and development for DESIGN the Multiple Use Trail System,defined as a comprehensive trail system for the integration of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses (pedestrian,bicycles, roller skating,cross country skiing,etc.). Grades of trails should not exceed five (5) percent to ensure handicapped accessibility or eight (8)to ten (10) percent for all other areas. Design and construct trails according to the standards established by the National Park and Recreation Association,the State Department of Transportation,and Rails-to-Trails • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 28 Conservancy (see Trail Design Standards attached herein). FACILITY • Land for parks will be acquired, planned and developed according to the Park PURPOSE &DESIGN, Classification System contained herein which specify the appropriate sizes,locations, continued service areas and equipment to best serve the City. Prior to the development of each park area,a design plan will be prepared which shows the types,locations and sizes of proposed facilities and estimated costs. Park facilities and buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural activities with regard to scale,design,color,setbacks,and materials. Maximize park accessibilitiy by city residents to best serve the area in which the facitility is located by requiring either vehicular or pedestrian access or both (depending on the size and classification of the park.) Promote and encourage the utilization of bicycle and pedestrian corridors as ski touring or sledding routes during the snow season and consider other possible uses of such corridors when safe and proper. • Maintain all trails in good repair and ensure that designated trail segments are kept open and clear of snow throughout the year unless designated as winter use trails. Consideration shall be given to safety,visibility,and emergency access into parks when acquiring land or planning for their development. Neither snowmobiles nor any other motorized vehicles shall not be allowed within or upon City park or trail areas as designated by Ordinance. Bicycles shall only be allowed upon paved surfaces within the City as designated by Ordinance. Mountain biking is allowed on trails designated for this purpose. Develop policies for all terrain vehicle, mountain bike,and in-line skate usage. Define the types of parks which exist and are to be established in the City and develop policies for each (see Park Design Standards herein). • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 29 • Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean,orderly,controlled,safe,and MAINTENANCE attractive parks and trailways. Park maintenance and operation shall safeguard the & OPERATION physical condition of trailways from deterioration or damage due to weather,vandalism, or other natural or human causes. Develop a clear and concise system of park and trail graphics and signage that direct people along trails and into parks to specific points of interest. Define specific park and trail safety rules. Develop ways in which to promote citizen interest and involvement in the City's park and PUBLIC trail system. RELATIONS & COMMUNITY Publish a pamphlet that shows the trail routes, parks,service and public facilities. ISSUES Monitor characteristics of use,safety,and other factors periodically throughout the park and trail system. SProvide facilities/services to all residents of the community. Develop ways to organize recreation programs and facilities to maximize participation and overcome physical or economic limitations which may prevent equal opportunity, regardless of age,race,sex,religion,or place of residence. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 30 TRAIL FACILITIES MASTERPLAN • The focus of the Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan is to establish and develop lands devoted to public use to service and physically link all areas of the community. The plan indicates the optimum location of future trail and park facilities,in relation to existing City recreational elements. While the chosen locations for park and trail development are based on a multitude of factors, including existing and anticipated subdivisions, residential distribution, neighborhood size, available access, and local/regional facilities, the primary intent of the Plan is to provide an equitable recreational structure based on park/trail types,functions,and service area/convenient access. Thus,both the Plan text and map graphics simultaneously guide all future trail/park planning and development. The graphic masterplan which follows identifies the varying types of trail facilities within MULTI-USE what we will call a multiple-use trail system, made up of a variety of compatible non- TRAIL motorized trail uses traversing upon multi-use/shared trail corridors including grade- SYSTEM separated trails/sidewalks,overland trails, and on-street trails. Multi-use trail systems invite various users - including walkers, joggers, bicyclists, roller and in-line skaters, people in wheelchairs,cross-country skiers,hikers, bird watchers,parents with strollers, and others-to share a trail corridor collectively. Throughout the planning,design,and implementation of multiple-use corridors,the assorted needs of the trail users as well as the various communities and landscapes through which they pass need to be taken into account. Coupled with these recreational uses is the functional role of virtually all multi-use trails. Whether used for a shortcut to the store,for a leisurely walk,or for a 20-mile commute to work,these trails serve an important transportation purpose. Because of their linear nature, multi-use trails connect things together - neighborhoods to community and cultural resources, towns to other populated areas, or city centers to country sides - intrinsically serving as transportation corridors. Multi-use trails, which typically cut through diverse areas,have the ability to connect historic structures to new ones,young persons to elderly,busy highways to local streets and individual residences, etc.through a common goal of creating a neighborhood amenity. Trail corridors also preserve open space, promote non-polluting methods of transportation,and can generally enhance the quality of life for local residents. The various types of multi-use trails are described in the following paragraphs and are graphically depicted on the Park and Trail Plan which follows. 411/ CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 31 1 On-street trails share the same paved surface as the roadway that they follow. They are ON-STREET • designed for multiple uses and should be a minimum of eight(8)to ten (10)feet wide for TRAILS two-way traffic or four (4) to five (5) feet wide on both sides of the street for one-way traffic. In residential areas(local streets)they may be unmarked,paved with a stripe,or identified by a sign. On-street trails associated with collector or arterial streets or highways should always have a specially marked shoulder area and/or be sign identified. Grade-separated trails/sidewalks are separated from the adjacent roadway by a(varying GRADE- width)strip of land/plantings or physical structure. They are designed for the integration SEPARATED of a variety of compatible non-motorized trail uses. They shall be bituminous trailways TRAILS having a minimum trail width of eight (8) feet for two-way traffic and generally follow street rights-of-way. The existing sidewalks fall into this category but may only be four (4) to five (5) foot wide concrete or asphalt pedestrian trails in established residential areas. Overland trailways shall provide a minimum of a ten foot wide bituminous trailway with OVERLAND a significantly wider right-of-way and shall be located away from the street corridors,not TRAILS typically parallel to the street surface. They should be designed to incorporate vegetation, • seating,and other supporting site elements and may serve a dual purpose as a buffer strip or separated bikeway. Abandoned railroad rights-of-way and many utility easements fall into this category. Overland trails are intended to traverse across open land or through developments without proximity to streets. They are positive in that direct connection can be made between two or more destination points where road rights-of-way are non-existent or can be developed with regard to the natural characteristics of the areas, resulting in a more aesthetic trail setting. They should be designed to incorporate vegetation,seating,and other supporting site elements and may serve a dual purpose as a buffer strip, linear park or separated bikeway. The overland trail widths can vary along certain segments where a more narrow trail corridor may be needed through a residential area or where a wider trail corridor would positively provide a buffer zone between differing development types, from unwelcome sites,etc. Utility easements and abandoned railroad rights-of-way provide an attractive potential for overland trails away from other modes of traffic. Oak Park Heights has two • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 32 major utility(NSP)easements and a rail line which runs parallel to the river(although still OVERLAND • in use at this time, it provides potential for future recreational uses). In evaluating a TRAILS, utility easement for possible trail use,several items must be considered: continued ► Easement routes that are in close proximity to streets would tend to duplicate trail routes proposed along the street. ► While utility companies are generally cooperative in the use of the utility easements for local pedestrian/bicycle trails,it is not unusual for these companies to place user restrictions on trails to insure easement maintenance and safety. ► The easement width becomes a critical factor in the use of utility easements for overland trails. The easement must have sufficient width for trail development without interferingwith utility maintenance. Also,the utility easementwidth will determine the amount of available setback the trail will have from adjacent land uses. ► The land use development adjacent to a utility easement also influences the desirability of using the easement for an overland trail corridor. Generally, easements in developed areas of the City follow street rights-of-way or lot line • arrangements. Trail developments can be viewed as an intrusion in areas of urban development where an adequate setback separation between the trail and land uses cannot be achieved. ► The easement represents only a utility company's right to use the property for the utility purpose. The utility company does not hold fee ownership of the land in easement. Fee ownership of the land in the easement typically belongs to the property owner abutting the easement. Acquisition of the easement for trail use would best occur as a trail dedication at the time of final platting. In areas already developed, easement acquisition for trail use is complicated by the multitude of property owners. ► Trail development along utility easements can be more expensive, as it is a separate construction project requiring the breaking of new ground in areas not readily accessible. Trails developed in street rights-of-way can be constructed in conjunction with street improvements. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 33 1 ► Trails along utility easements may result in a number of street crossings at OVERLAND uncontrolled areas of the street which can present the potential for hazardous TRAILS, '410 conflicts between motorists and trail users if not designed properly. continued i 0 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 34 PROPOSED TRAIL ROUTES The City of Oak Park Heights Parks Commission and City Council,together with the help of planning and engineering consultants,have identified the following trail routes as part of the City's recreational facilities improvement plan. The Park and Trail Plan is intended to be a long-term guide for the implementation of a system of multi-use trails and park areas within the City. The plan is reflective of the City's goal to link all parts of Oak Park Heights by a safe and convenient grade-separated (off-road) trail system. While this may not be feasible in all areas in the short-term, it stands as the aspiration toward which to work in years to come. As today's priority trail routes and immediate recreational needs become reality,other recreational segments will move forward as the next priority,thus moving toward a comprehensive system of parks and trails. North Frontage Road. The north frontage road is planned to encompass the entire length STATE of Highway 36 through Oak Park Heights from the western City limits to its intersections HIGHWAY 36 with both Highway 95 and Lookout Trail. Along both sides of the frontage road,a six(6) CORRIDOR foot paved shoulder will be provided by Mn DOT in association with the upgrade of Highway 36. Where the frontage road swings out away from the highway corridor at the Oakgreen and Osgood Avenue intersections, a four (4) foot sidewalk closes the gap and provides • access from the frontage road across the highway as well as to the proposed trails along Oakgreen and Osgood Avenues. South Frontage Road. The south frontage road is planned to encompass the entire length of Highway 36 through Oak Park Heights from the western City limits to the Club Tara establishment and NSP property on the east side of Osgood Avenue. A grade-separated trail is existing along the frontage road from 586 Street to Norell Avenue. From Norell Avenue east,a six (6) foot paved shoulder along both sides of the frontage road will be provided by MnDOT in association with the upgrade of Highway 36. An overland trail is expected on or near the frontage road from Osgood Avenue east to Stagecoach Trail. As with the north frontage road, where the south frontage road swings out away from the Highway 36 corridor at the Oakgreen and Osgood Avenue intersections,a four (4) foot sidewalk closes the gap and provides access from the frontage road across the highway as well as to the proposed trails along Oakgreen and Osgood Avenues. At the present time, focus will be on the new 58th Street as the main east-west connection via a planned grade- separated trail. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 35 • Oakgreen Avenue is a highly used north-south collector street within the City which OAKGREEN encompasses about three-quarters of a mile south of Highway 36. Reconstruction of AVENUE Oakgreen Avenue from Highway 36 through Oak Park Heights will allow for construction of an off-street trail, likely on the east side, by Washington County. The County has proposed this reconstruction for the year 2000. Development of an off-street trail along Oakgreen Avenue will provide important connections for Highway 36,to the existing NSP Trail,and to 58th Street. As part of the 1995 Trail System Plan,the joint Oak Park Heights-Baytown Township Trail Committee agreed to establish a ten to twelve(10-12)foot overland trail behind the homes on the west side of Oakgreen Avenue between the overland trail planned within the NSP easement and the new 58th Street. The overland trail, with its wide right-of-way (undetermined at this time) and associated landscape improvements,would double as a buffer zone from the anticipated multiple family or commercial development behind these homes. It will be necessary to obtain an easement or land dedication from the owner when this land is platted. The intersection of Oakgreen Avenue and Highway 36,as mentioned previously,is planned to be shifted slightly east to allow for the establishment of frontage road connections • which provide ample vehicle stacking distance. In this regard,four(4)foot sidewalks are planned to connect the frontage roads to the north side of Highway 36 as well as to the stated NSP easement and overland trail to the south of Oakgreen Avenue. It is anticipated that the street will ultimately be improved to include eight(8)foot grade-separated trails on both sides in the long term. Any planned trails along Oakgreen Avenue should connect to the existing 4 foot paved shoulders in place on Northbrook Boulevard in Baytown Township (extension of Oakgreen Avenue south of the City limits). North of Highway 36. Preliminary inspections of this corridor by the City Engineer indicate OSGOOD that it appears feasible, although physically difficult and correspondingly expensive to AVENUE construct trailways in this location given the existing businesses and right-of-way width. Washington County has, however, expressed the intention to reconstruct this portion of Osgood Avenue at some point in the future whereupon any desired trail construction could be coordinated. The plan therefore shows three to four(3-4)foot sidewalks on both sides of Osgood Avenue to the north of Highway 36 to infringe upon existing businesses as little as possible,with added potential for re-striping of the street corridor to include four(4) to six (6) foot paved shoulders for bicycle traffic. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 36 South of Highway 36. The establishment of an eight(8)foot grade-separated trail on one OSGOOD • side or four to six (4-6) foot wide sidewalks on both sides of Osgood Avenue between AVENUE, Highway 36 and Upper 56th Street is the priority,as current pedestrian-vehicular traffic continued conflicts in these locations is dangerous. At a minimum,four (4) foot sidewalks should be installed on the east side of Osgood Avenue. From this point to the south there is a fourteen (14)foot shoulder on the west side of Osgood Avenue which could accommodate a two-way on-street trail,however,the preferred option is to provide a six to eight(6-8) foot one-way shoulder on both sides of the road. The area between curb and right-of-way line on Osgood Avenue from 55th Street to Calvary Church on the east boulevard is approximately 8-10 feet in width but is congested with power poles,street signs,private utility pedestals,trees,and shrubs. The City Engineer has recommended that any potential trail be placed behind the power pole line within the boulevard to avoid as many obstacles as possible. Regrading of the boulevard, earth cut/fill,clearing of trees, and expansion of the public easement area is almost certain,as is the potential need for expanded easements and retaining walls or other structural devices to maintain the necessary corridor width in some locations(such as between 55th and Upper 56th Streets, and along the existing home at 5725 Osgood Avenue). Other obstacles related to the installation of a trail along the east boulevard include the Calvary Church site where the existing parking lot is located 9 feet behind the curb of Osgood • Avenue and would result in the loss of 8-10 parking spaces, however, options may be available in which to replace the parking either on or adjacent to the church site or re- stripe the existing lot. This route is proposed as an east-west overland corridor from Osgood Avenue at 58th NSP POWER Street and the St. Croix Mall entrance to Oakgreen Avenue and slightly further west into LINE EASEMENT the future development area. The City completed a major portion of the trail in 1997 by paving from Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. The intersection on Osgood Avenue at 58th Street/St.Croix Mall parking area is currently a heavily used,dangerous, unmarked and unsignaled pedestrian crossing. Improvement of this area for use as a trail crossing is highly desirable, although the location of the mall parking lot does not allow sufficient width for inclusion of a pathway without changes to the parking lot configuration. The City Engineer has indicated that the south border of the mall property, pending parking lot revisions,could accommodate the desired ten (10)foot wide two-way multi-use trail. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 37 • 58th Street. The major east-west collector street will soon be completed between Oakgreen WESTERN OAK Avenue and Highway 5. The street will incorporate an eight(8)foot grade-separated trail PARK HEIGHTS on its south side and will serve to provide critical connection between the Stillwater Area (west of High School area and the rest of the City. Oakgreen Avenue) Krueger Lane. Krueger Lane,which provides a connection between the Highway 36 south frontage road and 58th Street,will include an eight(8)foot grade-separated trail within its eastern right-of-way when that area is developed. Norell Avenue. The construction of Norell Avenue did not make provision for a trail connection between the Highway 36 south frontage road and 58th Street. In the future, a grade-separated trail should be pursued along the west right-of-way line of this road when the remainder of the Brackey property is platted and developed. Centrail Business District. Development of the Central Business District,south of Highway 36 and between Norell and Oakgreen Avenues will emphasize pedestrian access throughout and interconnections with existing and proposed trails. The City is developing concept plans for the Central Business District during the Spring of 1999. • Autumn Ridge. The main local street loop within this plat will be designated as an on- street trail system connection between surrounding residential lots within the plat and to the Valley Senior Services developed to the east. Boutwell's Landing/Boutwells Park. As a feature of the Valley Senior Services Alliance, Boutwell's Landing development south of 58'''Street at Norell Avenue,an extensive system of grade-separated trails and on-street trails would be created. The trail system would provide interconnections throughout Boutwells Park,the new development, Autumn Ridge at 566 Street,River Hills at 556 Street,the High School's Environmental Learning Center, and with the existing trail along 586 Street. Within the southerly, second phase of the development a potential exists to provide trail connections into the undeveloped properties that are currently within Baytown Township. Kern Center. A trail connection from 586 Street into the Kern Center has been proposed. The trail would be along one side of the street and provide the potential for eventual extension south into undeveloped portions of Lake Elmo and west and north along Manning Avenue back to Highway 36. This extension could have the potential to eventually connect the Oak Park Heights trail system to regional trail systems existing to the west. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 38 NSP Powerline Easement. As mentioned previously,this route is an east-west overland CENTRAL OAK corridor from Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. The ten(10)foot overland trail within the PARK HEIGHTS central part of Oak Park Heights will continue through the south boundary of the St.Croix (Between Mall to Osgood Avenue. Oakgreen & Osgood City Hall Property/67t Street Connection. An extention of 57th Street,through the City Hall Avenues) property, is proposed for construction in 1999. As part of that street construction, a grade-separated trail would provide a connection from Oakgreen Avenue,through the City Hall property,to the existing NSP easement trail. DNR Property. An existing system of undefined trails exists within the Department of Natural Resources Property south of Brekke Park and west of Osgood Avenue. The City's Comprehensive Plan includes the DNR property as a potential area for parks,open space, residential development,and a golf course. The City will work with the DNR to develop interconnections between the undefined trails and the City's trail system. A more defined trail plan would be required if Brekke Park expands within the property or if it is developed into more intensive land uses. Local On-Street Trails. Local on-street trails make up the majority of the trail system within the central portion of the City due to the fact that the area is predominantly subdivided single family lots. On-street trails have been identified upon several local streets,including 57th,part of 56th,55th,and 54th Streets and O'Brien,Oldfield,Omaha, and Omar Avenues and Oakgreen Place. Local trails are not limited to these routes but those mentioned provide the most direct connections between points of interest. Existing Trails. Existing trails consist of 3-4 foot sidewalks in the northern most part of NORTHEAST the City which borders with Stillwater. Sidewalks can be found along 65th Street,the far OAK PARK west portion of Upper 63rd Street (less than a block long),the western most two blocks HEIGHTS of 62nd Street,and far northern portions of Osgood and Osman Avenues. While all are not (north of within the City's boundaries,connection and integration with the Oak Park Heights Trails Highway 36 & Plan is imminent. east of Osgood Avenue) Connection to the City of Stillwater. Five trail connections have been identified in this vicinity to provide pedestrian and bicycle access between the two communities: Osgood Avenue, Beach Road, Lookout Trail,Oakgreen Avenue and Highway 95. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 39 Lookout Trail. Planned trails on this street segment will include four (4) foot paved NORTHEAST shoulders on both sides from the northern City limits to the intersection with Beach Road OAK PARK • HEIGHTS Beach Road.This street is planned to have four to six(4-6)foot paved shoulders from the (north of Highway 36 frontage road to the intersection of lookout Trail. From Lookout Trail to the Highway 36 & north, Beach Road is planned for trail use as an on-street or paved shoulder connection, east of Osgood The Beach Road overpass is expected to remain with the reconstruction of the Highway Avenue), 36/Highway 95 interchange. A paved sidewalk would be provided on the bridge to connect continued with the south frontage road. Local On-Street Trails. On-street trails in the north eastern part of the City include the use of Upper 63rd and 62nd Streets as well as Oxboro Avenue. In the long term the City may wish to consider establishing a grade-separated trail along Oxboro Avenue to connect between Beach Road and Osgood Avenue or requesting the County to provide pedestrian access through the Washington County complex by way of a sidewalk along the old alignment of Panama Avenue. Highway 36/95 Intersection.The Minnesota Department of Transportation is in the process SOUTHEAST OAK of developing plans for a reconstruction of the Highway 36/95 intersection to be built in PARK HEIGHTS conjunction with a new St Croix River Crossing. As such, the Trail Plan will need to be (south of updated as plans are finalized. Highway 36 & east of Osgood 56th Street. On-street trail access is planned along 56th Street through the Brekke Heights Avenue) subdivision which provides an access easement between lots into Valley View Park,thus connecting Osgood Avenue to the park and eastern portions of the City. 58th Street/Ozark Avenue North. In the Valley View Estates subdivision, 58th Street is planned to provide on-street trail access between Osgood Avenue and Valley View Park(via Ozark Avenue and a trail easement between adjacent lots). 59th Street/Peller Avenue. Fifty-ninth Street serves as a critical link in the connection between the southern frontage road of Highway 36 and Stagecoach Trail and Highway 95. Depending on the approved connection from the frontage road(either as a paved shoulder along an extended frontage road or an overland trail),59th Street will either serve as an on-street route or be improved to include paved shoulders. Peller Avenue directly connects with 59th Street to provide the north-south link through the surrounding neighborhood and to Valley View Park. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 40 Beach Road. As indicated previously,the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans SOUTHEAST OAK • for the Highway 36/95 intersection and for Beach Road have not been finalized. The City PARK HEIGHTS views a Beach Road or other alternative north-south connection as vital in retaining ties (south of between the inhabitants of Oak Park Heights. Sidewalks on either side of a Beach Road Highway 36 & Bridge have been planned. east of Osgood ), Valley View Park. Valley View Park serves as a critical link between the far eastern nnue neighborhoods of the City and those which abut Osgood Avenue. In the interim,the park contitinuedd will remain without defined trails but open to through access, however,the future may bring some form of designated walking,hiking and/or biking trails. A vital link is a bridge over Perro Creek Pond to connect with 56th Street. With development of the NSP ash landfill site as a park area,critical overland trails would need to develop to connect the landfill site and its potential park amenities to the south frontage road,Valley View Park and Cover Park. A trail is planned on the west side of Perro Creek Pond with a connection to Stagecoach Trail. This trail would require coordination with the State of Minnesota,in that the access would be near the State Correctional Facility. Connection to Neighboring Communities. Stagecoach Trail will provide connection to Baytown Township via six(6)to eight(8)foot paved shoulders. Highway 95 will connect the City with Bayport via ten (10) foot paved shoulders and possibly an eight (8) foot • grade-separated trail within its eastern right-of-way. A Highway 95 connection to trails in Stillwater is also shown. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 41 0 • • o 0-0 III, i v 4 1111 tun JI O = ' 11 �1 . . ,. 4 3 -< 1‘111 ' 0o lb• jttv.: C 0 lir. 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IA I a p —I ,II" '.�' I villa" z &'ar mbIlli El 'el Ell •a Qa ® I ` ■ ®I �1111 �� i ai N m N -�1111111rWir o �O \v qI Dui o J j [iiijt O v .�It\ �:i i ■1111111 �_I; / '_11 : 4I PARK FACILITIES MASTERPLAN • Parks serve as important recreation nodes/open-space within a system of trails. The park facilities masterplan provides proposed park locations and contains a list of improvements for existing and proposed parks. The park facilities masterplan is based upon the information gathered and analyzed in the inventory,issues analysis,and policy phases of the Park and Trail Plan. The following paragraphs describe improvements to be made to existing and proposed parks. Valley View Park is valued for its dense vegetation,variation in topography,and wetlands. VALLEY VIEW The masterplan proposes to maintain and enhance the natural aesthetic of the park. PARK Improvements to the park focus on making the park better known in the community and St.Croix Valley,more accessible,and a resource for environmental education. To make the park better known in the community and to people passing through the City, an inviting landscaped entry is proposed with a sign clearly identifying the park at the entrance on Osgood Avenue. The garden club may be of assistance in the landscaping of the entry. Once people enter the park,signage identifying park boundaries and facilities would aid visitors in locating picnic and trail facilities. Currently, many people are unaware of the lower portion of the park due to the lack of signage and the physical separation from the upper portion of the park. Valley View Park will be expanded to the north in cooperation with NSP as the ash disposal facility closes. NSP will be closing portions of the landfill beginning in 1999 and completing in the year 2011. This expansion provides an opportunity for trail connections to allow easier access to the lower portions of Valley View,which are now difficult to access due to a steep slope between the west and east portions of the park. Potential uses for the NSP land include an amphitheater,a formal garden,and trails. In the lower portion of the park,a bridge across the wetland would provide an important connection to the east. In making decisions regarding trail and bridge facilities, consideration of handicapped accessibility is important,especially considering the steep slopes found within the park and the growing number of senior residents living in Oak Park Heights. Valley View Park provides a unique resource that is well-suited for recreational and • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 44 environmental programs. The park contains areas of woods, prairie, and wetlands, VALLEY VIEW creating a diverse natural setting. PARK, • continued Brekke Park is intensively used for field games and as a playground for toddler age and BREKKE PARK older children. The masterplan proposes to expand the park onto DNR land south of Brekke Park. Demand exists in the City for additional baseball fields and soccer fields; therefore,the masterplan proposes additional ball fields for the northern portion of the DNR land. Other potential uses for the DNR land include a golf course and a club house/concession stand. Even if additional facilities are not built on the DNR land, trail/road access from the DNR land should be explored. Other park improvements include making the park easier to locate and providing additional and upgraded athletic and picnic facilities. Currently, the park has one vehicular entrance on a small local road. To make the park more welcoming and easier to locate,additional directional and identification signage is proposed. Expansion/improvements to the existing picnic shelter may be explored,including better handicapped accessibility to the lower level of the shelter. A shelter related topic is maintaining longer bathroom hours (with an attendant to prevent vandalism). Other improvements that may be considered include constructing a hard surface under the hockey rink to provide a better and more long-lasting ice surface in the winter and to provide a skateboard/rollerblade area in the warmer months. Other improvements to consider were described in a grant proposal in 1996 and include a trail with an east/west orientation along the parking lot and northern edge of the park and additional facilities in the eastern portion of the park including a picnic shelter,landforms,tricycle raceway, plantings, and a different location or shape for the basketball court. A plan for Brekke Park that was included in the 1996 grant proposal is found on page 50. Swager Park serves as a linear neighborhood playground along a trail that is within an NSP SWAGER PARK easement. The trail currently extends from the east end of Swager Park to Oakgreen Avenue. The masterplan proposes that the trail be extended and connect with existing trails so that the trail extends all the way from Valley View Park to the high school and western City limits. Extending the trail would bring more people to the park and make the • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 45 park more accessible. SWAGER PARK, continued • The St.Croix Mall is located to the east of Swager Park. Currently,no park identification or access exists from the east. An attractive and accessible entrance at the east end of the park would encourage employees and visitors of the mall to use the park. A small unpaved parking area is located in the northeast corner of the park off of 58th Street North. An improved parking area should be considered. A sketch illustrating an east entry design is found on page 52. The park currently contains little vegetation;however,sixteen trees will be planted in 1999 through an NSP grant. The masterplan proposes creating a landscape plan that provides additional understory trees and shrubs and benches throughout the park. The plan for the park includes creating attractive resting areas for trail users and for people who work at the nearby St.Croix Mall and surrounding commercial areas. Swager Park currently lacks screening from residential properties to the north, and instillation of tree/fence screening along the northern boundary of the park should be considered. West of the park, in the NSP easement, visibility could be improved by removing buckthorn and other exotic species and creating a landscape plan including native plants. Feelings of safety and visibility could also be enhanced by providing • pedestrian-scale lighting along the trail. The park requires some maintenance improvements and has enough open space to allow some additional facilities. The tennis courts are currently in poor condition and need to be repaired. Some play equipment exists, but additional play equipment for young children would provide more play options. An improvement that may be considered is providing bathrooms in the park. The bathrooms could serve both users of the park and people passing through the park on the trail system. Cover Park is the oldest and smallest park in the City and provides an active area for COVER PARK residents in the surrounding neighborhoods who are otherwise somewhat segregated from the northern and western portions of the City. The park is located only two blocks east of the NSP ash disposal site and Valley View Park. The masterplan calls for construction of a trail extending from Cover Park through the cul-de-sac next to Cover Manor and connecting to the NSP property and Valley View Park. The park has a small parking lot and little to no room for expansion currently. The long-term uses and parking needs of • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 46 Cover Park should be evaluated with the expansion of Valley View Park and with COVER PARK, development opportunities associated with adjacent MnDOT properties. continued • Improvements are constrained by the small supply of open space available at the site; • however,several improvements should be explored. The existing warming house is a simple cement building located at the southern end of the park. The City may wish to explore improvement of the building and constructing a City-operated greenhouse attached to the warming house. Another improvement would be to provide refuse containers,which would be especially useful in the summer when the park is used by dog owners. Boutwells Park is a 24 acre park planned in the western half of the City. The park will gain BOUTWELLS access from 58th Street and is intended to serve surrounding area neighborhoods and PARK provide a connection to the Stillwater Area High School and Environmental Learning Center. The masterplan proposes that the developer provide a year-round community center/open air shelter with bathrooms,a tot lot,a play structure,picnic tables,gathering areas,benches,and shade trees. The City may explore providing recreational programs in the park, and the wetlands in the park may be used as a teaching resource for the Environmental Learning Center. The park should be developed in a way that allows winter sliding on the larger hills. Clearing only some of the trails of snow will provide • opportunities for cross-country skiing in the park. Having an area in the City that could clearly be identified as a town center would enhance TOWN CENTER the identity of the community, and creating a town square within the town center that includes landscaping, fountains, a skating rink, benches/resting areas,waterways and other attractions would create a unique gathering place in the City. An area in Lake Elmo,west of Highway 5,could become part of Oak Park Heights. At that POTENTIAL time,a neighborhood playground within a residential area is proposed for this area. PARK AND RECREATIONAL The DNR has been considering for a number of years building a boat launch east of AREAS Highway 95 and south of the Metropolitan Council wastewater treatment facility. An open space/park area is a possibility south of the State of Minnesota Correctional Facility and west of Stagecoach Trail in an existing wooded area. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 41 • • • • State Highway 36 IProposed City Frontage Road -- al . 1-- • Potential Development to Include: - 11111 ,Amphitheater -J \ "M 1 Trails ," ; Ili r Formal Garden '.', ' .. , Open Space .' ,' ; Closed by 2001 ' J `'�� -' i Closed by 2011 ,`• r \` / - I `` ------ i •1NSP Ash - ,' Disposal Site ,- —" n . r • r J � r _ _, Cover ' .' r �♦ r IParkl i • Closed. V �` i 1011111 U %, ♦ Closed by 2006•`♦` 1 • • r Closed C O • �� Closed by 20'02 `. ��� 1 i 11 will 111 R _._. :,, 11 ( Trail Connection • — u°', .:%. L..:: .J..bI:YJ.A,J C ...1"..( 77 O M!—• : i !ir/: :11. 711 J-it J_•A.4,:•.L IJ:_;'.J •- a J. 1 M t, O L1.4: 1•J.!-'JA.aJ...l_�•;i. �4 nuL is 4/..........4:;...-^ ; Improve Trail J.. -4•�••a•:J..:L�,•..�•.4•:1:�J ' 1 -_•\J_-..-J.j1•A,._.i•J-••J-•J_•-4,'- !1 Creek .1. ..4'•.4 J.j; , ; /.1.J1 !•• - r 1•a L1111 1,l iJ.1 J. 0. 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IMPLEMENTATION • The final phase of the Comprehensive Park and Trail Plan establishes a process of projecting land acquisition and trail improvements,setting priorities,and scheduling for their provision and financing over a period of time. This process produces a long-range guide for recreation and requires that the City look toward the future to anticipate capital expenditures and to provide revenues to meet them. This section does not take the place of a capital improvements plan in that precise costs are beyond the scope of this document,however,the City must begin thinking about updating itsa five year priority list,analyzing the financial situation,and obtaining cost estimates for the desired improvements. Park and trail land dedication will play a major role in acquiring and developing park/trail LAND facilities, although is not possible in all cases. Acquisition through dedication is a ACQUISITION long-term process since land can only be obtained as the abutting land is developed. While the outright purchase of land is prohibitive due to investment costs and anticipated benefit per capita through the City,land acquisition will be necessary where developments are already in place and lack recreational facilities or to acquire special,distinct pieces of land which would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain through park dedication. While the majority of Oak Park Heights contains developments that are already in place where many of the trail corridors are proposed and will likely require land acquisition 1111 through purchase,the utilization of road rights-of-way will provide an easy alternative for establishing public trail routes. For the most part, it is this Plan's intention to provide parks and trails which will not PARK& TRAIL burden the City with high acquisition and construction costs. Land and right-of-way for DEDICATION trail construction will be acquired as part of the dedication process of a subdivision or as FEES an improvement to be included as roads are built or upgraded wherever possible. Due to the obstacles that may arise through acquisition of a trail right-of-way,the Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan provides only a general layout of trail routes and proposed park locations which may be altered at the time of actual acquisition and development. At the present time, park land dedication contributions required of developers as a cash donation is$450 per single family residential lot in the City. This fee is charged in those areas where no park land is required,and is used for acquisition and development in other areas where parks and trails are to be located. The Oak Park Heights fee schedule is less than area communities and the amount as it stands makes it more advantageous for • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 61 1 developers to pay the park dedication fee rather than dedicate land. Furthermore,no trail PARK & TRAIL • dedication requirements are in place to relieve the pressure for trail construction (that is DEDICATION the current priority in the community)which results in the park fund monies which would FEES, otherwise be utilized for park development,being eaten up for trail purposes. Based on continued recent analysis of developer costs and park dedication requirements in various suburban areas of St.Paul and Minneapolis as conducted by Northwest Associated Consultants,Inc., it is recommended that the City look toward raising the park dedication fee in future years and establishing a system of trail dedication requirements. This recommendation is made in an effort to provide equity between those land developers who are required to donate land and those who pay the fee. In the past,the low level of cash payments resulted in an unequal burden placed on those from whom land is required. The higher feeds intended to accommodate the cost of land and its development,and the opportunity cost of being deprived of that land through park land dedication. The additional effect of this fee increase would be to accelerate the accumulation of funds for acquisition and development. Adequate levels of park funds would be available for use sooner to catch up and keep up with the pace of development,presuming that the fee itself does not affect such,as it is not expected to do so. This assumption is made in light of the fact that new development has continued in those areas where land dedication has been required, and the fee is recommended at a level which approximates the cost of land • dedication to the developer. While parkland acquisition and development are capital outlays that are typically FUNDING financed with the revenues from City dedication or general funds,there are other methods OPTIONS available to assist the City in raising necessary money for large projects. The following grant programs may be available to the City if the intended project(s) comply with the submission criteria. DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program(LAWCON-Land and Water Conservation Fund) The goal of the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program is to assist communities in acquiring, developing,and/or redeveloping facilities for outdoor recreation use.The grants can fund up to 50 percent of a total project cost,while the remaining local share can consist of local funding,materials,labor,and equipment through local sponsors or donations.The land must be owned by the applicant and must be developed completely within three years from the date of fund acquisition. One or more of the following facilities must be included in a proposed project. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN Baseball/Softball Fields Basketball/Hard Courts FUNDING • Boat Launching Sites Campgrounds OPTIONS, Canoe Access Sites Cross-Country Ski Trails continued Fishing Piers/Shore Fishing Football/Soccer Fields Nature Study/Observation Areas Picnic Shelters Playgrounds Skating/Hockey Rinks Swimming Beaches Tennis Courts Trails Volleyball Courts In addition,support facilities are also eligible for funding provided at least one facility from the above list is provided. Support facilities include drinking fountains,fencing,fire pits/grills, landscaping, lighting, roads/parking, benches/seats, trash receptacles, restroom/shower/storage buildings,signs,sledding hills,warming houses, utilities,and design/engineering costs (up to 10 percent). DNR - Trails and Waterways Grants . In addition to the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program,the following grants are also available through the DNR: National and Scenic Area Grant Program 11/ Regional Trail Grant Program Cooperative Trail Linkage Grant Program National Recreational Trail Fund Grant Program TEA-2I - Transportation Equity Act for the 21' Century. signed June. 1998. The Act reaffirms the priorities and funding flexibilities established in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act(ISTEA)of 1991. The act provides,among others,the Surface Transportation Program (STP), which provides federal funds on a reimbursable basis. Transportation Enhancement(TE)activities are funded through a ten percent setaside from STP funds. Proposals for trail projects may be submitted under the Pedestrian and Bicycle project group of Transportation Enhancements. This project group allows for the provision of facilities and activities that facilitate pedestrian and bicycle use, and provision of abandoned railway corridors(including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian and bicycle trails). Further information may be obtained from the Metropolitan Council. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 63 I Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources FUNDING • OPTIONS, The LCMR program works toward enhancing and protecting Minnesota's natural resources. continued One or more of the following strategies must be met in order to be considered for available funds. The list is a partial list of strategies and represents the order of priority in which funds are given. A complete list of project components, application requirements, and funding cycles can be obtained from the State Offices. I) Rehabilitate state and regional parks/trails. 2) Acquire and develop state and regional parks and trails. 3) Acquire, protect, and enhance critical habitat, native prairies, unique and/or sensitive areas,scenic bluffs,aquatic resources,old-growth forests,and historic sites. 4) Expand rural and urban revegetation with native species,including community shade tree programs. Implement native species tree planting for energy conservation, carbon dioxide abatement, erosion control,wildlife habitat, and other benefits. • 5) Research and demonstrate ecologically sound methods to control or eradicate exotic species of plants or animals which are or may become a threat to the environment. 6) Accelerate the implementation of measures to reduce non-point source pollution. 7) Provide for all types of wetland purchase,restoration and easement acquisition to enhance wildlife habitat, erosion control,water storage, flood control,and water quality. 8) Accelerate the use of farming practices consistent with wildlife habitat and environmental and human health protection. 9) Create qualitative and quantitative benchmarks,including biological indicators, for key natural resources to permit effective monitoring and assessment of environmental trends. 411 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 64 Capital improvements programming provides an instrument for carrying out the objectives CAPITAL • and recommendations of the Oak Park Heights Park and Trail System Plan. Through IMPROVEMENT prioritization of five year capital needs for the City's park and recreational facilities and PROCESS identifying the amount of money available to finance the improvements during this period, the City will be able to determine which improvements are necessary in terms of their ability to pay. The capital improvement program(CIP)is a flexible process,in that as the social, physical and financial conditions change within the City, the priority of the scheduled projects may also change. In response to the changes in the City,the CIP must be an on-going process. Each year the CIP should be re-evaluated for consistency with the Plan,current recreational needs,and fiscal condition of the City. The Parks Commission has previously developed CIP Programs for park and trail development. As a follow-up to the adoption of this plan,the CIP will need to be updated. The following process should be utilized by the Park Board when reviewing potential park capital improvement projects. I) Establish a five year priority list of park/trail capital improvements that reflects current and projected recreation demands. Annually review and revise the five year priority list to reflect current demand and needs. 2) Analyze the City's current financial situation. 3) Obtain up to date cost estimates for high priority items. 4) Develop project descriptions and plans for the desired improvements which include proposed scheduling and phasing. 5) Make copies available of the CIP for public inspection prior to the City Council's presentation of the annual budget at the required public hearing. 6) Begin the process over again following approval of the CIP and the beginning of another calendar year. It is recommended that a specific annual CIP review schedule be established for the review of potential park/trail projects. This will enable persons who wish to request consideration of new items to present their position in ample time to change the CIP,if necessary,in a manner consistent with community needs and reducing or eliminating financial S CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 65 commitments being made for projects which might not proceed to the final construction CAPITAL • stage in the event that they are deleted or moved back on the priority list. IMPROVEMENT PROCESS, continued An important aspect of park and trail development is user knowledge of the recreational COMMUNITY facilities. To promote the use of the community recreational system, the City should EDUCATION provide informational material to residents as the facilities are implemented. A newsletter and map mailed to each household is probably the best means by which to accomplish this. At the same time,the City should work to establish a list of rules and encourage community awareness of such. As indicated throughout this plan,a clear and concise system of park and trail signage is SIGNAGE beneficial in any recreational system to assist users in finding and using the facilities. Directional graphics may be in the form of painted pavement symbols/lettering or any variety of regulatory, warning, or guidance signage. Signage should include general identification of an area,layout and types of facilities present,directions for specific points of interest such as handicapped areas, restrooms, or connections to destinations,trail • distances,and user/safety rules. The best location for much of this information is near the entrances to parks/trail segments or near parking areas. The signage should be consistent throughout the City and should be easily understandable and maintainable. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration has outlined size,shape, and color criteria for signs in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 66 APPENDIX • FACILITIES PLANNING & DESIGN GUIDELINES Numerous physiological and psychological factors are involved in the planning and design of park and trail areas which will undoubtedly affect their desirability among residents and anticipated development if not handled properly. The natural features both within and adjacent to a desired trail corridor or park site should be used to complement the desired recreational activity and if modified,should be done without causing irreparable harm to the environment. These include existing vegetation, topography, wetlands/water bodies/streams, or other natural features such as rock outcroppings. Built features are equally as important in their effect upon recreational elements and include such items as buildings,bridges,power substations,utility corridors,streets/parking lots,or other man-made and largely utilitarian components. The age, dominant characteristics, function, and condition of built structures should be evaluated to determine what, if any,modifications are needed (either to the structure itself or in areas surrounding it - such as a buffer) so that the structure remains an asset for recreational use. 111 TRAIL GUIDELINES Composition of proposed trail corridors refers to the original or altered surface upon COMPOSITION which the recreational element will be constructed. The subsurface condition of areas such as the NSP power line easement have most likely been altered and may require specialized preparation or construction methods to establish them as a usable part of the recreational system. The cross sectional slope which is perpendicular to the trail corridor or development area SLOPE may either be flat,convex(raised),concave(carved-out),or terraced(along a side slope) and may affect access to a certain area or drainage patterns. As a general rule, an acceptable cross slope for most trails is two (2) percent. The longitudinal slope is one that runs along the center line of the path of travel, often called the profile, and is comprised of flat, uphill, and downhill slopes. An equitably CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 67 accessible longitudinal slope is generally five(5) percent or less,although up to ten (10) SLOPE, • percent may be acceptable in certain areas where access would otherwise be limited. continued The sequence of different landscapes that compose a trail corridor makes it an interesting SPATIAL VALUES place to walk,bike,and ride. Spatial components of recreational systems include: ► Viewsheds. Lines of sight within a corridor or out to a landscape or adjacent built feature are called viewsheds. The views from adjacent lands into the trail corridor are just as important as views from the proposed trail. This is particularly important when you have a feature that should be highlighted or when an adjacent landowner objects to the trail corridor. Safety and visibility are the two viewshed issues of concern to future trail users. The need for unobstructed forward and rear views should be provided for each type of trail user classification: 50 feet for pedestrians and 150 feet for bicyclists/roller skaters. Viewing opportunities from a trail affect the quality of users'experience and are classified as either open or closed landscapes. ► Open&Closed Landscapes. These affect viewsheds and light,provide structure, and heavily influence the spatial sequence of a trail corridor. An example of an 111/ open landscape is an agricultural field or meadow,while a closed landscape may be a segment of corridor surrounded by thick, overhanging trees or large buildings. An ideal trail has a contrasting sequence of both open and closed landscapes. ► Light & Dark Areas. These are determined by sun exposure, topography, surrounding vegetation,and adjacent structures. Light and dark areas alter the trail's environment, affect the soil's moisture content,influence temperatures, and vary the quality of the trail's features (which may change from season to season). Intersections can pose challenges during trail design and development,but they can also INTERSECTIONS provide trail access. Roads are the most hazardous and frequently encountered trail intersections and things such as how the trail will cross(at-grade,under,over),the degree of road traffic,alternative crossings,and money available to do the work will determine how to best incorporate them into the overall plan. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 68 Driveways may be either residential, commercial or industrial in nature and will have INTERSECTIONS, 40 differing effects upon the trail corridors,depending upon their frequency of use daily or continued monthly. If the traffic on the driveway is less than the anticipated trail traffic,then the trail should be designed to have the right-of-way at this intersection. Other trail corridors and nearby trails allow you to link trails together. Assess any intersecting trails for compatibility and conflict,based on types of use,surface,signs,and regulations. Like any major capital improvement,building a trail requires some thought about how the RECREATIONAL facility will be used and by whom. In other words, you need to market the trail. NEEDS Determine the ratio of existing/proposed trail miles to the user population. Compare this to the National Recreation and Park Association's Open Space Standards which suggests a ratio of one(I)trail mile per 2,000 people for multi-use(pedestrian-bicycle)trails. This number is intended only as a rough guideline and does not necessarily reflect local demographics,changing trends,uniqueness of the environment,or various other factors, but may help in estimating the over or under establishment of trails in relation to the number of residents. This,however,does not take the place of communicating with local residents,user groups,etc.to determine interest and needs. Land uses (existing and proposed)adjacent to or directly abutting trail corridors should ADJACENT be evaluated to some degree relative to size, facilities, density, character, and type of LAND USES ownership. However, unless safety factors prohibit such, the establishment of trails through all land use types should be promoted. Opportunities for or constraints against trail development exist in all areas of the community and depend more upon individual situations. In some situations, safety hazards or undesirables can be avoided through installation of a fence or berm while still allowing trail access and connections. Take special note of vacant properties adjoining the trail corridor as they may provide opportunity for public ownership and potential for establishment of sitting/picnic areas or landscaping. Vacant areas that remain privately owned provide excellent opportunities for additional trail links,access,or trail-related development. Of all the obstacles trail developers face,opposition by adjacent landowners can be the ADJACENT most troublesome. Regardless of the community-wide support for trails,opposition from LANDOWNERS some adjacent landowners who will voice concerns about trail design, management, quality of life,careless maintenance,land loss,decreased property values,increased crime CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 69 and liability will be unavoidable. Some persons will view the trail as a new public ADJACENT • thoroughfare that provides quick access to their property by"undesirable"outsiders. LANDOWNERS, continued This and many similar concerns have been documented among trail projects across the USA to stem from the fear of the unknown and typically disappear once the trail is open but more commonly,the benefits outweigh the problems. In surveys conducted across the nation,it was shown that the vast majority of landowners living next to trail corridors were amenable to such and used the corridors frequently. With regard to crime,a specific study conducted in Minnesota showed that the incidence of crime is actually lower in homes near trails than those in surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally, no negative effect upon property values has ever been proven,either nationally or locally and in some cases neighborhoods adjacent to trail corridors have been marketed using trails as an amenity with property values increased. Finally,liability is not a valid concern thanks to the recreational-use statutes(RUS)in place in Minnesota which does not make landowners liable for recreational injuries resulting from mere carelessness. To recover damages,the trail user needs to prove"willful and wanton misconduct on the part of the landowner". This would apply to easement situations in the City where the City does not own the land, but maintains control for trail access purposes via establishment of an easement. In summary,many problems are inappropriately exaggerated at the onset and others can 10 be easily controlled through design and/or management solutions. Physical separation of trails from private properties via natural,vegetation or man-made means may also serve to alleviate homeowners concerns. Landowner involvement and direct participation of residents from adjacent communities on the Trail Committee is the best and first step to a successful resolution. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 70 FACILITY DESIGN STANDARDS S Once a trail or system of trails is built,it will become an integral part of the community which is part of an ever-changing environment. With this in mind,it is important to make sure that the trails can adapt to changing needs. The best policy is to build a trail with adequate capacity(width)initially. A multi-use trail shared by pedestrians and bicyclists should be a minimum of ten(10)feet wide. If the budget only allows for an eight(8)foot trail,obtain easements that will permit expansion of the trail to ten (10) or more feet in the future. Bridges,tunnels,culverts and other infrastructure should be made extra wide at the onset to accommodate expansion. Deciding which components to build to wider standards first will depend on the trail surfacing to be used. Concrete is virtually impossible to upgrade safely once it is in place as joints create a hazardous situation for bicyclists. Widening an asphalt or crushed material surface is not as difficult because the materials are less costly and can be blended. Basic grading should also be designed for the maximum future width if site conditions allow this. Note that different segments of the trail are likely to have different levels of use,thus it may be necessary to provide a ten (10) foot width only in areas where heavy travel is expected to occur. Another option is to plan for two separate paths within the same (easement)corridor,by separating users such as pedestrians from bicyclists. Individual routes have been planned to vary as needed within the City,thus reference should be made to the section within this document which describes specific routes and trail segments. Decisions about widening a trail should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based upon a community's economics,politics,safety,and long-term project goals. Weigh the cost of extra length against extra width prior to beginning a project. It may be beneficial to construct an entire segment of the trail system at a less than optimum width in areas where trails are presently non-existent to heighten the excitement and promote usage by residents. But on the other hand,if larger than expected numbers of people use the trail, it will pose crowding and safety problems. It is generally best to construct individual portions of a trail (which maybe does not yet make a through connection) at the full, long-term width desired. While this is somewhat dependent upon the material used, maintenance needs, and material life, pressure will build (and money will become available)to develop additional segments. CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 71 At least a portion of your multi-use trail design should be accessible-free of barriers and HANDICAPPED • obstructions-and usable by people with disabilities. Most people have either permanent ACCESSIBILITY or temporary disability at some point in their lives. The primary sources of information for developing accessible standards for all facilities are the Uniform federalAccessibility Standards(UfAS)and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines, both published in the federal Register on 26 July 1991. These guidelines define what specifications must be met in order to be classified as an accessible trail such as trail width,passing space,surface,slopes,clearance,rest areas and signs. Five feet is the minimum width to accommodate a wide range of users with disabilities in a one-way scenario. Hard surfaces such as asphalt and concrete make a trail most accessible. An accessible trail gradient should not exceed five(5)percent. Although UfAS recommends a maximum grade of eight (8) percent, limiting this to six (6) percent is highly recommended. Ramps,which should have a level landing for every 30 inches of vertical rise,must have a hard,slip-resistant surface and railings. An accessible trail calls for a rest area every 200 to 300 feet,preferably cleared with a bench located outside of the trail tread. If numerous benches is not possible,the distances between stopping points should be posted so that users will know what is ahead. National standards for multi-use trail widths do not exist. The American Association of TRAIL WIDTH State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) recommends a ten (10) foot trail width,but some of these paths are too narrow to handle the ultimate volume of users and may not take into account other factors such as the trail surface,speed of trail users,etc. Consider the number of people who are likely to use your trail. Where"significant"trail traffic is anticipated (one hundred (100)trail users per hour during peak periods),the width of a two-way shared path should be at least ten (10)feet in suburban areas. In rural and urban areas,the minimum trail widths change to eight(8)feet and twelve(12) feet respectively. Topography - the shape of the land - can be defined as flat, gently rolling, hilly, or SLOPE mountainous. A physical assessment of a trail corridor determines the longitudinal and cross slopes of specific segments. An accessible trail will have a maximum longitudinal slope of five(5)percent(three(3)percent is preferred)and a maximum cross slope of two (2) percent. The following table lists ranges of longitudinal and cross slopes acceptable for specific trail user groups. CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN TRAIL USER AVERAGE SPEED LONG.SLOPE CROSS SLOPE SLOPE, continued Pedestrian 3 to 7 mph no restriction 4%maximum Bicyclist 8 to 20 mph 3% preferred 2%to 4% 8% maximum • Equestrian 4 to 8 mph 10% maximum 4%maximum Skier 2 to 8 mph 3%preferred 2%preferred 5%maximum There are many surface types available to complete the cross section of your multi-use SURFACING trail, including granular stone, asphalt,concrete,soil cement,wood chips,and natural surface. Surface materials are either soft or hard, defined by the material's ability to absorb or repel moisture. Many single-use trails throughout the country, particularly hiking and equestrian trails, have soft surfaces (natural earth/turf,wood chips, etc.). These surfaces often do not hold up well under heavy use or varying weather conditions, and therefore are not ideal for multi-use trails. Hard surfaced materials (soil cement, asphalt, cement, etc.) are more practical for multi-use trails, especially in urban and • suburban areas. They are generally more expensive to purchase and install but require less maintenance and can withstand frequent use. Hard surfaces also accommodate the widest range of trail users. Trail surfacing can be used to encourage or discourage use. If you want to encourage as many users as possible, choose one of the hardest surfaces. If you want to limit the number or speed of users, choose a soft surface. Recycling options should also be considered when choosing a surfacing material. Car tires and other rubber products, crushed glass/pottery,and ground asphalt shingles are some of the materials that have been used in the construction of trails. The recycled products industry is expanding quickly, with new manufacturers emerging constantly. It may be worth doing some research into what types of recycled products are available to you and what type of strength,longevity,and durability they have in relation to their cost,ease of installation, effect upon the environment,etc. • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 13 An often overlooked design factor is the long-term cost of operations and maintenance. MAINTENANCE Prior to constructing trails, the City's public works department should be consulted • relative to their staffing,time,equipment,etc.to verify that the ability exists to properly maintain the trails which will be constructed. Also consider the long-term replacement costs of trail surfaces and other major recreation components. ► Asphalt needs resurfacing every seven to fifteen years, depending on site conditions and construction quality. In 1992 dollars,it cost a minimum of$10 per lineal foot to remove and replace asphalt and$5 per lineal foot to overlay an existing asphalt trail with a I %inch top coating. ► Concrete lasts approximately twenty-five or more years, but replacement costs about$25 per lineal foot (in 1992). ► Crushed stone will typically last seven to ten years,although it requires frequent patching and spot repairs. Replacement costs about$5 per lineal foot. ► Wood chips decompose rapidly under prolonged exposure to sun, heat, and moisture,wash easily under moderate slopes and rainfall, and require almost • constant maintenance to keep the width and depth consistent. They are, however,often available at no cost (or a nominal cost) from commercial tree- trimming services. The types of support facilities your trail will need- and their placement along the trail - TRAIL SUPPORT depend on several factors:the setting and proposed uses of the trail,the trail's intensity FACILITIES of use, the level of servicing/maintenance that the facilities need, and the utility/infrastructure requirements of the facilities. Whatever the location, user groups, and desired activities along the trail,you must plan for trail facilities from the start. If you cannot afford to develop all facilities at the outset,know the types of facilities that you and your community ultimately want. To a large degree,the parks,schools and many commercial operations within Oak Park Heights act as"built-in"trail nodes and stopping points where persons may rest,obtain shelter from the elements,eat lunch,use a bathroom or get a drink of water. The distance between these known points and exactly what they offer should be studied in the early stages of trail design and implementation. In areas where distances are excessive or where • CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 14 easy access(either physically or at certain times of day)is a problem,consideration should TRAIL SUPPORT be given to establishing support facilities to supplement the existing ones. FACILITIES, • continued To get the most out of a trail experience, it helps to start with a beautiful trail setting LANDSCAPING which offers exceptional landscapes and visual amenities. In reality,however,not all trail corridors come with such benefits and require significant work in the form of landscaping to give the trail a personality of its own. To create a successful trail experience,you must consider the perspective of the user. Since the landscape is typically viewed while moving, a sequence of views is more important than a single view in one direction. Trails are multi- dimensional,with things to see, hear,and feel along the way. In developing a landscape plan for trails in the community, you must think of it as a phased process which is an on-going commitment. The overall intent and that of specific areas may differ significantly based upon what land uses are adjacent to the trail,whether it is along a roadway or not,as well as what environmental and soil conditions are present. On-going maintenance is a major factor in a multi-use trail's landscape plan; even "natural"landscapes require trimming,weeding,etc. Cleared and mowed trail shoulders at least two (2) feet wide on either side of the trail provide a groomed look,offer better • visibility,and provide an option for those who like to utilize soft surfaces. It is best to setback trees and shrubs, when planted, at least five (5) feet from the trail surface to control the inundation of paved areas by tree/plant roots. • CITY Of OAK PARK HEIGHTS 1999 COMPREHENSIVE PARK & TRAIL SYSTEM PLAN 15