07/01/1991 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 2 - Assessment of Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation Needs community development areas needs to be addressed to assure that overall community development goals are considered. Recreational Trends/Project Future Recreational Needs: Anticipated trends in recreation should be reviewed and analyzed to determine what impacts these trends will have on the future development of the park system. Future park and recreation facility needs (based on trends analysis, recreational needs assessments, and demographic profiles) should be projected in order to develop an understanding as to future funding requirements. Communication/Marketing: Develop strategies for communicating with the City residents about the park system, programs, etc. (i.e., "get the word out"). A Park/Trail Map which clearly illustrates park locations/facilities and trail types/corridors was considered an important communication tool which should be developed. Siguage: Development of a signage program which clearly defines the parks, trails, etc. City Staff: The level of staffing required to effectively and efficiently run the park system and recreational programs needs to be reviewed. The possible need for a designated Parks and Recreation Director also needs to be evaluated. The level and effectiveness of the interaction and cooperation between City departments needs to be evaluated (i.e., such as the efficient use of available staffing and a defined decision making process). Quality of Life: Maintaining (or enhancing) the quality of life in Lino Lakes is a very important concern with respect to future City development. The park and recreation system is considered one of the most important aspects of maintaining the quality of life residents have come to expect. Parks Commission: Active, supportive group who work well with other agencies. Seek the opportunity to become more pro -active in the development of the park system such as increased responsibility in park dedication issues, etc. Interested in the opportunity to be involved in the planning process. Community/City Council/Public Planning Bodies: Parks and recreation are strong and important priorities within the City. The City Council reflects this positive attitude. Although fiscal constraints make it difficult for the City to fund all of the potential park projects at any given time, the City residents still maintain a positive attitude about future development and show a willingness to seek creative solutions to funding limitations (such as using volunteers to perform park maintenance projects, etc). Interaction and cooperation between public planning bodies is also an important factor in assuring the success of the park system. Environmental Awareness/Movement: The community, as a whole, is concerned about the environment and the protection of natural resources. As such, policies should be adopted which protect the environment and natural resources of the area. Park Maintenance: In general, park maintenance is considered good when considering the budgetary and staffing limitations that the City must work under. Athletic Organizations/Youth Groups: Involved and ambitious athletic/youth groups greatly enhance the communities enthusiasm for parks, recreation facilities, and programs. They also provide a sounding board for developmental issues. Assisting in the maintenance of the recreational facilities is also an opportunity for these groups to contribute to the future enhancement of the park and recreation system. Recreation Programming: Recreation programs and programming should be evaluated as to their overall effectiveness in serving the entire population. The perception exists that there are some imbalances in the availability of recreation programs. Programs oriented toward passive as well as active activities should be considered. City of Lino Lakes Volunteer Organizations: Given the residents' interest and concern about the betterment of the City, opportunities exists for expanding the role that volunteers and volunteer organizations can play in the overall maintenance and upkeep of the park system. Adopt -a -park and plant -a -tree programs can be very effective in enhancing the overall appeal of the park system and a great opportunity to keep the City residents more intimately involved in the park system and issues that effect it. Funding/Maintenance (Day -To -Day): Limited funding and staffing creates a situation were the day to day maintenance of parks is difficult to accomplish. Reliance more on volunteer efforts may be an opportunity to off -set some of the funding and staffing limitations. Park System Planning Document: Not having a park system planning document makes it difficult to understand all the issues which effect the development of the park system and the responsibilities of the various governing agencies and staff. As one questionnaire submittal pointed out, "failing to plan is planning to fail." Passive Use Facilities: Lack of passive use facilities (i.e., walking/hiking, picnic areas, seating areas, nature areas, etc.) exists. More attention needs to be paid to a wider range of age groups. Lack of Recreational Facilities/Amenities: Lack of recreational facilities/amenities, such as ballfields, soccer fields, hockey rinks, etc., is an important concern and needs to be evaluated. Community Character. With respect to concerns about future community/population growth, the consensus amongst the group was that maintaining - the unique rural and natural open space character; providing adequate parks, open space, recreational facilities, and linkage (trails) system; and making proper planning decisions which achieve these objectives was their major concerns about future community growth. How fast and h7 much the J