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Joseph E. Wargo Nature Center Master Plan <br />Summary of January 23, 2014 kick off meeting with Anoka County staff <br />Consulting staff from HKGi and MDA met with representatives of Anoka County to discuss Wargo Nature <br />Center existing conditions, programs, desires and opportunities for the future. The purpose of the <br />meeting was to set the stage for the master plan process. Key elements of the discussion are <br />summarized below. <br />Master Plan Goals: <br />— Increased use of Wargo and recreation program visits county -wide. <br />— Increased awareness of Wargo. <br />Find what is special and unique (niche) about Wargo compared to other nature centers. <br />More involvement of cultural communities/minorities in recreation programs and env. ed. to <br />reflect the increasingly diverse population of the County. <br />Sustainability—financial, maintenance, volunteers and partnerships. <br />Involve the County Board in the planning process. <br />— Increase Wargo's connectivity to Rice Creek Park (campground, visitor center, trails and beach) <br />and to the Lino Lakes YMCA. <br />Continue to utilize technology to effectively deliver information. <br />Improve the visitor experience and "curb appeal" of the site and building. <br />10 year plan - The Master Plan is to be a vision and 10 year phased action plan to improving Wargo <br />Nature Center. The master plan will also include programming strategies reflecting Wargo's role as the <br />hub for County recreation and env. ed. program staff. <br />Wargo's unique location on a peninsula, surrounded by water and cattails, offers opportunities <br />(woodland and water based programs) and challenges (connectivity and limited land for programming <br />and trail use). <br />Current use of Wargo: <br />— Environmental education and recreation programs <br />School groups/classes — up to 85 children at a time in the five usable spaces <br />Nature pre-school (15 students enrolled) <br />Homeschool programs <br />Special events — natural resource, cultural heritage and recreation <br />General use — Birders, cross country skiers <br />Heritage Lab — Cultural, wildlife and recreation day camps (rotating annual heritage themes) <br />Hub for County recreation and environmental education program staff and recreation program <br />equipment storage <br />County compost site <br />Wargo Nature Center Master Plan — Jan. 23, 2014 kick off meeting summary <br />Wargo Nature Center Master Plan - March 2015 <br />1 <br />Appendix: Meetings & Outreach A 3 <br />