11-06-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve The nominal rental fees for the camper cabins proposed in the master plan amendment are anticipated to offset the operations and maintenance costs related to the cabins. While the other proposed projects will not specifically generate revenue, it's anticipated that the operations and maintenance of these facilities can be absorbed into the general operating budget and be offset with an anticipated increase in revenue through other rental fees and annual and daily pass sales. Therefore, Anoka County believes the stewardship plan for the park reserve to be sustainable with assistance from the Metropolitan Council as outlined above. The only non -recreation related service offered within the park is the current existing composting facility, but within this Master Plan Amendment, that is proposed to be relocated north of the park, with only an entrance road within the park reserve boundary. While this facility does not generate any revenue for the County, any expenses related to the entrance road will be paid for by the Resource & Recycling Solutions Department. DEMAND FORECAST The Metropolitan Council's Thrive 2040 regional forecast estimates that the Twin Cities metropolitan area will become more racially and ethnically diverse over the next 30 years and that by 2040 the region's population of color will double to about 40% of the total population. In addition, one in five people in the metropolitan region will be age 65 or older. These shifting demographics require changes to the way the County operates and manages the park system and its amenities. According to the Metropolitan Council's November, 2016 Regional Parks System Visitor Study Report, non - Caucasians are significantly more likely to participate in fishing, special events and picnicking activities than Caucasians. In addition, the Metropolitan Councils March 2014 Regional Park Use Among Select Communities of Color Report, showed that Asian Immigrant/Asian American focus groups identified their top three preferred activities as walking, fishing and rest or relaxation. Two of the proposed projects in this amendment, the fishing access improvements and Wargo Nature Center projects, will help meet the needs for fishing and special events access. Demand for additional camper cabins is shown through the rise in revenues for the cabins and camping in general over the last 3 years. Since 2014, the overall camping revenues have increased about 20% and the camper cabin revenues have increased by about 13%, as shown in Figure 3. Camper Cabins are a great way to introduce visitors to camping and provide an alternate form of camping with less equipment required.