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Section 2 - Assessment of Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation Needs <br />community grows in the future was not as big a <br />concern as making sure that future development is <br />done in a planned and pragmatic manner whereby <br />the outcome of development and its effect on the <br />City can be reasonably understood np 'or to it <br />becoming reality. This attitude is as important when <br />considering parks and recreation development as it <br />is when considering overall City development. <br />Naturally, coordinating the park system plan with <br />other public facilities plans should be undertaken as <br />part of the planning process. <br />Public Meetings: Meetings should be held to give <br />City residents an opportunity to participate in the <br />planning process. Special attention should be given <br />to specific issues and specific groups/interests to <br />encourage more participation. "Advertising" of <br />meeting agendas, dates, etc. was also suggested. <br />Parks and Recreation Survey. The possibility of <br />implementing a survey geared exclusively toward <br />parks and recreation issues should be considered <br />and used as deemed appropriate. Specific attention <br />should be given to gaining input from various age <br />groups as apposed to "head of household" only. <br />Continuing Community Involvement/Interaction: <br />Involvement of residents in the planning and <br />development process on an on -going basis needs to <br />be addressed. Communication with the City <br />residents must be established and maintained <br />throughout the planning process (and beyond). <br />Private Recreation Facilities: The impact that <br />private recreation providers have on the park system <br />should be addressed in order to understand the <br />overall "picture" as to what type of recreational <br />facilities (public and private) are available to City <br />residents and avoidance of unnecessary duplication <br />of facilities wherever possible. This includes private <br />facilities such as playlots which have been developed <br />for private use. <br />Indoor Facilities: Address the potential/need for <br />indoor facilities such as a hockey arena, community <br />center, etc. Th( demand for park "shelters" and <br />multi -use buildings (i.e., warming house, summer <br />activities, etc.) should also be considered. <br />Summer Family Events: The need for more summer <br />family events should be addressed. <br />Beautification: The need for an overall parks <br />"beautification" program was also expressed in the <br />questionnaire submittals. <br />Park Security/Safety. Park security and general <br />park/trail safety needs to be considered. Specific <br />approaches to enhancing park security and safety <br />need to be developed. Safety in this instance is <br />defined as both personal safety (i.e., personal <br />attacks, robbery, etc.) and safe surroundings (i.e., <br />separation of bikes from cars, handicap access to <br />parks, etc.) <br />Public Meeting <br />Not undertaken at this time....... <br />Summary Statements <br />The preceding information from the various sources <br />provides an important perspective about City <br />resident's attitude toward the community and their <br />expectations about the quality of the park system <br />and the quality of life within the community. <br />Looking forward, the long term success of this <br />planning effort will be based to a large extent on: <br />• whether or not the City residents continue to <br />believe that the a quality park system enhances <br />the quality of life I ' z the community. <br />City of Lino Lakes <br />a willingness by the residents of the City to <br />invest in the City's future growth and vitality. <br />• a committed and persistent effort by the various <br />governing bodies, City staff, and, most <br />importantly, the residents themselves to see the <br />Park System Plan through the implementation <br />phases. <br />Given this "criteria for success, the importance of <br />assessing the needs and attitudes of the City <br />residents and then using that information as the <br />impetus and driving force in developing the park <br />system plan can not be overstated. <br />With this perspective in mind, the information <br />gathered from the various sources will, in affect, be <br />used as a "check list" of issues which will, in some <br />form or fashion, have an impact on this planning <br />exercise and the development of the park system <br />plan. <br />Although there is a temptation to summarize the <br />findings of this section in a concise paragraph or <br />two, it is perhaps most prudent to refrain from this <br />as to avoid leaving out important issues which may <br />otherwise be missed. <br />Finally, it is important to recognize that a planning <br />effort such as this is not static but instead in a state <br />of constant change and evolution. Our purpose with <br />this study is to set the process in motion so that the <br />demands of today, based on our educated <br />perceptions of the community, will be adequately <br />addressed without forfeiting the opportunity to <br />adjust to the demands of the future. Is essence, this <br />planning effort is the beginning as opposed to an <br />end of a long and involved planning process. <br />a <br />