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5;//4 `(JCGJ2adCG 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 (612) 484 -2177 / FAX: (612) 484 -4538 April 23, 1991 TO: Mayor Hanson and Members of the City Council FROM: Ken Wehrle, Chairman Little Canada Park Commission RE: Water Works Property Trail Development MAYOR Raymond G. Hanson COUNCIL Beverly Scalze Bill Blesener Rick Collova Jim LaValle ADMINISTRATOR Joel R. Hanson This memo is in response to your request for information regarding trail usage and the public interest for developing a trail on the Water Works property. Your questions, of course, are timely and appropriate. First, we apologize for the delay in submitting to the Council our proposed updates to the Little Canada Parks and Recreation Master Plan for your review and approval. Our preliminary review revealed some required revisions which are in the process of being completed. The Master Plan reveals our thoughts for the Little Canada Park System and the recommendations made by our Commission, including development of the Water Works trail, adhere closely to this plan. The attached plan shows the overall proposed trail system for Little Canada. The Water Works trail is considered an important link in the overall trail system. We believe, and feel the Council is aware of a need to provide more recrea- tional opportunities to the western portions of the City. Also, use of the Water Works corridor as an informal trail is obvious as evidenced by the existing well -worn path. Our recommendation is an effort to provide for additional recreational opportunities by having the City pave this trail thus allowing for easier use by bicyclists, joggers, walkers and other non - motorized users. The attached letter and petition received from area residents are examples of the local interest in creating this trail. We realize that the Council, as well as the Park Commission, have also heard from residents who would rather not see this trail developed, and others who feel that there is too much recreational development including trails already. We believe that the local residents' concerns for things such as trash, vandalism, and motorized vehicle access can be addressed as they are for our existing trails. This can be accomplished without any great additional costs to our operating budget. In fact, based on the 1991 Budget proposals, in the last three years of the Parks' Budget there has been a decrease of approximately $7,000, and this figure does not even count the recent cuts in consultant fees. The Recreation Budget has only increased approximately $11,000, which is relatively minor given the increases in facilities and