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1 <br />1 <br />Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve <br />$30,000.00 <br />$25,000.00 <br />$20,000.00 <br />$15,000.00 <br />$10,000.00 <br />$5,000.00 <br />$0.00 <br />1 <br />Camper Cabin Revenues <br />1 I 1 <br />Similar to the increase in the <br />use of the camper cabins, daily <br />and hourly rentals of canoes <br />and kayaks have increased. <br />From 2015 to 2016, daily rentals <br />of equipment have nearly <br />doubled and hourly rate rentals <br />have increased by 10%. <br />Overall, there has been a steady <br />increase in park visits over the <br />last decade. In 2005, the <br />2014 2015 2016 Metropolitan Council's Annual <br />Use Estimate of the <br />Metropolitan Regional Parks <br />Figure3 System showed an average <br />annual use of 335,900. By 2016, <br />the average use estimate was 496,000, that's just under a 50% increase in visits. In addition, according to the <br />Metropolitan Council's Thrive MSP 2040 - Population Forecast dated January 1, 2017, the surrounding cities <br />populations are anticipated to increase anywhere from 7-55%, creating additional demand to be met by the <br />park reserve. <br />RC Cabins Bunker Cabins -Total <br />DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT <br />The existing park amenities have been outlined in Figure 2 and include many recreation opportunities, such as <br />walking and biking, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, picnicking and playing on the playgrounds within the <br />park reserve. Visitors can also take advantage of Wargo Nature Center, Chomonix Golf Course, Rice Creek <br />Campground and Centerville Lake Beach. Wargo Nature Center also hosts Heritage Lab, which is an outdoor <br />historical program where students participate in hands-on activities related to a historical theme. The projects <br />proposed in this amendment will build upon the approved 1999 master plan and improve and enhance existing <br />facilities within the park reserve. <br />Wargo Nature Center was built in the early 1990's and will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2018. A <br />master plan for the Nature Center was developed in 2015 with the following goals: <br />• Increase awareness of Wargo Nature Center and County -wide outdoor recreation and environmental <br />education programs and events <br />• Increase connectivity to Wargo Nature Center <br />8 <br />