HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-31 TPC Memorandum TPC3601 Thurston Avenue N.Suite 100 ENLLQ p3
Anoka,MN 55303
Phone:763.231.5840
Facsimile:763.427.0520
TPC@PlanningCo.com
MEMORANDUM
TO: Eric Johnson
FROM: Scott Richards
DATE: January 31,2018
RE: Oak Park Heights—Comprehensive Plan 2018
TPC FILE: 226.10
At the February 8, 2018 meeting, the Planning Commission will review the following
related to the Comprehensive Plan 2018:
Parks and Trails Implementation
Please find as attached the draft Introduction, Physical Profile, Issues Identification and
Goals and Polices sections of the Park and Trails Plan. Also, the Existing Park and
Trails map has been included. The Parks Commission discussed the plan at their
January 29, 2018 meeting and provided comment on the issues identification and
goals/policies. From this basis, Staff is currently working on the proposed parks and
trails map and the park system plan. The Planning Commission should review the draft
and provide any comments in advance of the next Park's Commission review at their
February meeting.
Implementation
Once the Parks and Trails Plan is drafted, the Implementation section can be
completed. It is expected that the entire draft plan,including the Implementation section
will be available for Planning Commission review at the March meeting.
Open House/Public Hearing
The Planning Commission should discuss holding an open house, possibly with the
public hearing for considering the draft plan. The announcement for an open house
could be included in the March newsletter that would be distributed to every household
in the City. The Planning Commission should also discuss other ways to obtain public
input on the plan.
Pc: Julie Hultman
PARKS AND TRAILS - INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Parks and Trail section of the Oak Park Heights Comprehensive Plan is built on the
foundation created with the first Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail System
Plan of 1995, the 1999 Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan and the 2008
Comprehensive Park and Trail System Plan. The 2018 Comprehensive Plan
acknowledges that the community is almost completely developed and anticipates that
there will be little, if any, expansion of the City limits in coming years. The population
growth and number of households is expected to grow slightly, to over 5,000 persons,
and remain stable. It is expected that the City's population will continue to age,
especially with the large numbers of elderly housing units. In 2000, 12.8 percent of the
citys population was 65 years and over, by 2010 that climbed to 23.0 percent and in
2015 it was 30.7 percent. In recognition of the demographics of the community,
especially the aging of the population, this plan seeks to provide opportunities for
recreation for all ages.
The 2017 Community Survey asked residents about the current park and trail system
and they stated that it was one of their favorite aspects of living in Oak Park Heights.
Respondents had the following opinion regarding the condition of City parks and trails:
1 . Excellent — 23.2 percent
2. Above Average — 56.9 percent
3. Average — 16.2 percent
Respondents utilization of a City Park or trail is as follows:
1 . Every day — 17.0 percent
2. A few times per week — 37.8 percent
3. On occasion — 26.8 percent
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. The continuing emphasis in
coming years will be on improvements within the existing parks, trail connections within
the community, and addressing the park and recreation needs of an aging population.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
' ` City of Oak Park Heights Page 145
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 six 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 Oak Park Crossings Park.
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 and created a disc golf course.
Swager Park serves as a neighborhood playground along the linear park system. The
park is fairly centralized within the community and is located within an 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 2018
P
City of Oak Park Heights Page 146
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. A year-round
park building, and parking lot was added in 2017.
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 a
park shelter with restrooms. 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.
Oak Park Crossing Park is the City's newest park. It has a playground, park shelter,
walking trails, and prairie grass plantings. It was developed on the former Allan S King
ask disposal facility and is adjacent to Valley View Park.
On the following page is a list of the existing park components for each of the six City
parks.
Trail connections have been constructed over the past two decades to provide
important linkages between neighborhoods, commercial areas, and parks. In 1995,
when the Comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian 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 limited trail connections to existing parks. In the last 23 years, the City
has developed an off-and on-street trail system that enables the pedestrian or bicyclist
to move safely throughout the City. There are many linkages and crossings that must
still be addressed.
Currently, the trail system in Oak Park Heights includes 10.5 miles of municipal
separated, off-street trails; 4.0 miles of municipal on-street trail routes; 5.8 miles of State
trails; and .3 miles of private trails.
The City will continue to focus on making linkages, especially with development and
redevelopment projects. North/south connections, especially along Oakgreen and
Osgood Avenues, as well as crosswalks on or under these roadways, will continue to be
a priority.
The Existing Parks and Trails Map on a following page indicates the system current as
of 2018.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 147
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
EXISTING PARK COMPONENTS
Valley Brekke Swager Cover Autumn Oak Park
View Park Park Park Hills Crossing
Park Park Park
Size 57 acres 13 acres 1 .4 acres 1 acre 24 acres 35 acres
if Al
Picnic Shelter ✓ with bath ✓ with bath ✓
with bath ADA
access ADA access
Baseball/Softball -If
Hockey Rink ✓ if
free skate free skate
if
Warming House with shelter if ✓
ADA with bath with shelter
access
Basketball Court if ✓ f
Tennis Courts ✓
if
Soccer/Open Field youth only,
Fall
Play Set if If ,/ A/ A/ ✓
Swing Set ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 7/
Spring Animal ✓
Horseshoe Pit ✓
Grills V if if A/ A/
Picnic Tables ✓ if V V if ✓
Bench/Seat 7/ if A/ ✓ ✓
Bike Rack/Stand A/ A/ A/ jf
Trail/Path Connection V ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ V.
Disc Golf Course V
Signage A/ ✓ if A/ A/ ✓
Source: City of Oak Park Heights
' �r' Comprehensive Plan 2018
:; f "" . City of Oak Park Heights Page 148
L. `i;
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
INSERT EXISTING PARKS AND TRAILS MAP
Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 149
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City of Oak Park Heights
---- Off Street Trail Comprehensive Plan
lik City of Oak Park Heights
On Street Trail
- Sidewalk N
-- Existing Parks and Trails
TPC Stantet^ Parks
Source:The City of Oak Park Heights,
••-••' City Limits 0 1,500 3,000 Feet The Planning Company,d Stantec
January 2018 Page 7
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
INTRODUCTION
The Parks Commission discussed issues relating to existing parks and trails in meetings
on January 29, 2018 and February 2018. The following is a summary of issues
raised by the Parks Commission and staff.
GENERAL PARK ISSUES
• Provide opportunities for all ages to participate in lifetime fitness through the use
of trails, park facilities, and other activities.
• With an aging population, assure that facilities and programs are designed to
accommodate people in this sector of the population.
• Develop recreational and environmental education programs to familiarize people
with the parks.
• Decide if and how coordination with the recreational needs of the County, athletic
associations, civic groups, etc. can be accomplished.
• Create Oak Park Heights monument signs with plantings welcoming visitors to
the City.
• 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.
• Define the means by which park development can minimize impacts on adjacent
properties, i.e., off-street parking, screening, landscaping, setbacks, etc.
• Continue to explore joint park use with Oak Park Elementary and adjacent
facilities.
• Link all parks within the City through a system of trails.
VALLEY VIEW PARK
• Replace easement trail from Ozark Avenue.
• Make building improvements to park shelter such as providing a deck on the east
side, extension to north side, installing gutters, and adding electrical outlets.
• Provide trail connections to the east of the park shelter.
• Provide trail connections to the north of the park shelter, across the ravine.
• Replace fencing
• Remove buckthorn from the easterly wooded area.
• Add picnic tables.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
r City of Oak Park Heights Page 151
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
OAK PARK CROSSING PARK
• Include exercise equipment along trail system.
• Determine if water fountains can be added.
• Provide a trail connection along the eastern border of Perro Pond.
• Add a swing set near the playground area.
• Add picnic tables within picnic shelters.
BREKKE PARK
• Continued maintenance and improvements to the existing Brekke Park picnic
shelter.
• Replace hockey boards.
• Work with Washington County on construction of a tunnel under Osgood Avenue
to provide safe access from Brekke Park to the trail and park system to the east.
• Improve and update play equipment as needed.
• Provide a connecting trail behind the baseball fields through the wildlife
management area.
• Replace easement trail and fence off 55th Street.
• Consider a trail with an east/west orientation along the existing parking lot and
edge of the park to provide a connection to the upper playground.
• Consider purchase,if available for sale,of the DNR managed property to the
south of Brekke Park,
SWAGER PARK
• Consider the park as a linear park segment within the trail system, rather than a
destination.
• Include exercise equipment along trail system
• Provide benches, picnic tables within the park as needed.
• Work with Xcel on planting prairie grass in that area north of City Hall.
• Install a community garden area.
• Replacement of fence as needed along the south boundary of park with
neighborhood involvement.
• Add water service with water fountain and hydrant.
• The City shall take park land dedication for potential redevelopment area north of
Swager Park.
� Comprehensive Plan 2018
.4,7 City of Oak Park Heights Page 152
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
COVER PARK
• Monitor maintenance and improvements to new park shelter including installing
gutters.
• Maintain/improve perennial planting slope.
AUTUMN HILLS PARK AND HAASE RECREATIONAL AREA
• Monitor condition of playground equipment and replace as necessary.
• Monitor condition of picnic tables and benches and replace as necessary.
• Provide additional tree plantings within the park and replace ash trees.
• Provide no smoking signs by playground.
• Add bike racks near the park shelter.
• Provide connections to the Boutwells Historic Village area to the south of the
park and explore programs and cross-utilization of both facilities.
GENERAL TRAIL ISSUES
• Restore prairie areas where possible along the trail system.
• Construct educational environmental kiosks and signs at Valley View Park, by
City Hall, at Oak Park Crossing Park, at Autumn Hills Park, and in other
appropriate locations along the east/west trail corridor.
• Provide benches, resting areas, picnic tables, water fountains, and exercise
courses along trails.
• Complete the striping of the southern edge of the Andersen Office Building
parking lot with a trail lane and stripe a crosswalk over Osgood with signage
between Osgood and Valley View Park.
• Improve trail signage where necessary to (1) denote the type of trail; (2) to give
direction as to where they lead; and (3) to warn vehicles of trail crossings, on-
street routes, etc. for safety purposes.
• Look at options and locations for lighting of trail corridors.
• Assure that all new trail construction is disability accessible.
• 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: 1) 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.
e,,` ' ,' Comprehensive Plan 2018
'< City of Oak Park Heights Page 153
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
• Work with the City Engineer to define the right-of-way widths that are necessary
to establish trails along designated roadways; for instances: an eight-foot trail
necessitates, at a minimum, a 20 foot easement and 10 foot level bench
(construction) area. Many times, additional temporary easement areas are
needed to grade surrounding areas.
• Consider developing cross-country trails throughout the City.
NORTHERN OAK PARK HEIGHTS TRAIL ISSUES
• Provide interconnections with the Stillwater trail system whenever possible.
• Link Sunnyside to Mn/DOT's trail.
• Link Sunnyside to the bluff area by way of Lookout Trail.
• Find a way to link Lookout Trail to the west.
• Provide a trail connection to the Scenic Overlook.
EASTERN OAK PARK HEIGHTS TRAIL ISSUES
• Work with Washington County to providing trails along Osgood Avenue.
• Provide access for those residents east of Osgood Avenue to safely cross
Osgood Avenue and access the parks and trails to the west.
• Provide interconnection with the Bayport trail system whenever possible.
WESTERN OAK PARK HEIGHTS TRAIL ISSUES
• Connect the Highway 36 frontage road to 58th Street on the west side of
Menard's.
• Complete interconnections between the commercial and residential areas to the
58th Street trail and the Xcel easements trail system.
• Link Baytown Township and Stillwater Township with the Oak Park Heights trail
system.
• Provide interconnection with the Lake Elmo trail system wherever possible.
• Provide trails on both sides of Oakgreen Avenue.
• Connect the Pondview Condominiums at the southwest corner of Highway 36
and Oakgreen Avenue to the rest of the trail system.
• Provide safe crossings on Oakgreen Avenue.
k •
Comprehensive Plan 2018
4 City of Oak Park Heights Page 154
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
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 by the
Parks Commission.
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.
SYSTEM GOALS
• Protect, preserve and improve environmentally sensitive areas and natural
resources in all parks and trail corridor areas.
• Establish and maintain recreation 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.
• Plan and maintain an attractive and diverse system of parks that address the
park needs of all segments of the community.
• Provide linkages within Oak Park Heights as well as to neighboring communities
and regional systems by a safe and convenient multi-use trail/sidewalk system.
SYSTEM POLICIES
• Develop an ongoing planning process for the establishment of parks and trails
which responds to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Policies as well as those
identified herein.
• 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 as needed to ensure that needs and
priorities are up to date.
• 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 forums for open discussion of issues, by newsletter, and the City's
website.
S'. Comprehensive Plan 2018
`F City of Oak Park Heights Page 155
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
PROGRAMMING/DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
• Create and maintain an attractive, diverse, and interesting system of urban
parks/trails.
• Create a City-wide park and trail system designed to minimize conflicts between
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 are constructed on a priority basis, according to capital
improvement plan/available funds with the trail priorities as follows:
o Trails along major streets which focus on pedestrian and bicycle safety
and which provide direct access to City/regional destinations and parks.
o Trails that will serve the most intensely used areas.
o Trail construction within existing parks and upon municipal property.
o Trail inclusion within new park/subdivision development.
o Completion of links between existing trails and other communities.
• Park priorities may be:
o Establishment of parks in undeveloped areas or newer parts of the City.
o Creation of neighborhood and community-wide parks.
o Upgrade/improve upon existing park equipment.
• Encourage the private sector to provide recreational opportunities/facilities.
• Provide support facilities in conjunction with trail development.
• Determine where the establishment of user fees is appropriate to lower
recreation costs for the City.
• 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.
• Park and trail development should minimize impacts on adjacent properties
through provisions for, but not limited to:
o Adequate off-street parking.
o Appropriate orientation and location of buildings and activity areas.
o Screening, buffering, and landscaping.
o Adequate setbacks and physical separation.
• Preserve existing physical site amenities (natural or man-made) and encourage
the establishment of new site amenities when planning and developing park
areas.
''. ,, ',44-$ Comprehensive Plan 2018
City of Oak Park Heights Page 156
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
FACILITY PURPOSE AND DESIGN POLICIES
• Establish park and trail facilities which provide recreational as well as functional
uses.
• Provide varying types of trails to be used as the basis of planning and
development for 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 percent to ensure disability accessibility or
eight to ten percent for all others.
• 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 Conservancy (see Trail Design Standards
attached herein).
• The inclusion of environmental sensitive areas (river frontage, native prairie,
bluffs, unique vegetative associations, etc.) into park or trail facilities should be
considered to contribute to the overall recreation system.
• Park facilities and buildings should be compatible with surrounding urban or rural
activities with regard to scale, design, color, setbacks, and materials.
• Potentially develop dual-use corridors incorporating bicycle and pedestrian
corridors with ski touring or sledding routes during the snow season.
• Maintain all trails in good repair and ensure that designated trail segments are
kept open and clear of snow throughout the year unless designated for winter
use.
• Consideration shall be given to safety, visibility, and emergency access into
parks when acquiring land or planning for their development.
• 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, and update as needed, policies for mountain bike and in-line skate
usage.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION POLICIES
• Provide for the efficient maintenance and operation of clean, orderly, controlled,
safe, and attractive parks and trailways. Park maintenance and operation shall
safeguard the 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.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
" �., City of Oak Park Heights Page 157
1 - :tj
PARKS AND TRAILS - PHYSICAL PROFILE
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY ISSUES POLICIES
• Develop ways in which to promote citizen interest and involvement in the City's
park and trail system.
• Continue to update and distribute the pamphlet that shows the trail routes, parks,
service and public facilities.
• 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 community 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.
Comprehensive Plan 2018
r l
City of Oak Park Heights Page 158
_