07/01/1991 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 2 - Assessment of Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation Needs • 82.2% indicated that the state should purchase abandoned railroad lines for hiking, biking, and snowmobile trails. • 56.0% indicated that the outdoor recreation facilities built by the State are becoming run down. • 82.6% indicated that the State or Federal Government should spend more money on the overall management of the SL Croix, Minnesota, and Mississippi Rivers in the metro area. • 37.8% indicated that local units of government should take the lead in dealing with natural resource matters in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. (18.7% Regional, 42.1% State) Community Survey In 1988 a community survey was undertaken by Lee Mehrkens Management Consultants to determine residents' attitude about the community on quite a number of issues, including parks and recreation. It is not our intention to reiterate all of the findings that the survey generated about the community. Instead, it is our intention to look specifically at the issues that are likely to have a direct impact on the development of the park system. However, interested readers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the survey results (available at City Hall) to enhance their understanding of the communities attitude on a wider variety of issues. The results of the survey provide a statistically reliable information base about the residents' attitudes and perceptions toward the community as well as parks and recreation. Survey Summary: CI the five most hiahly desired additions to park facilities and activities (within 1- 5 years) were: 1) hiking/walking/jogging trails. 2) bicycling trails. 3) youth recreation program. 4) teen recreation programs. 5) restrooms in parks. the five least desired additions to park facilities and activities (within 1 - 5 years) were: 1) indoor ice arena. 2) outdoor swimming pool. 3) indoor swimming pool 4) snowmobile trails. 5) exercise courses. • the results indicate that a majority of residents (50% or more) desire trails, recreation programs, and restrooms in parks to be improved or developed within 1 - 5 years. • nearly one-third of the residents reported that they never want an indoor ice arena or indoor/outdoor swimming pool to be developed in Lino Lakes. • opinions were split on the need for a park improvement tax increase. Approximately half of the respondents did not support a tax increase for this purpose, while the other half did support some type of increase. • forty-six percent of the respondents did not support any tax increase. However, another forty-six percent did support some type of increase, ranging from $10.00 to $40.00 per year. • by one of the largest majorities found in this survey (65%), residents overwhelmingly responded that recreation programs should be funded through user fees. Twenty-one percent believed that recreation programs should be financed by both property taxes and user fees. Only 1% indicated that recreation programs should be paid for by property taxes. I City of Lino Lakes topping the list of the best things about Lino Lakes were natural open spaces, small town, rural atmosphere, people, peace and quiet, trees and wildlife, and good location within metro area. Figure 6. City Park and Recreation Facilities and Activities Ratings illustrates the rating of various park facilities and activities. Park System Planning Advisory Committee One of the Park System Planning Advisory Committee's primary responsibilities in this planning exercise is to help define the many issues which are pertinent to the future development of the park system. Very early on in the planning process the Committee participated in a number of focus meetings for this purpose. The Committee's input during these meetings was valuable for a couple of reasons. First, it allowed for an opportunity to review and more clearly define the issues brought out by some of the other sources previously highlighted. Secondly, it provided for an opportunity to discuss and define relevant issues within a more singular parks and recreation context. In addition to the issues that have already been addressed in this section, the Park System Planning Advisory Committee brought out a number of key issues and concerns which will undoubtedly impact many aspects of this planning effort. Park System Advisory Committee Statements: • Provide (in a cost effective manner --, possible)