11-14-2011 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• The SCORP priorities for Minnesota outdoor recreation selection guidelines are focused on three of the four strategies addressed in the Minnesota's 2008 -2012 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. These strategies support the overall goal to increase participation in outdoor recreation by all Minnesotans and visitors. Strategy 1: Acquire, protect and restore Minnesota's natural resource base on which outdoor recreation depends. This includes obtaining prime outdoor recreation areas throughout the state prior to anticipated land use changes. Focus areas: Acquisition, protection or restoration of land or other natural resources that will provide or enhance public outdoor recreation opportunities and/or.located in an area of rapid population growth; acquisition of potential prime outdoor recreation areas that may otherwise be threatened by anticipated land use changes; acquisition of land in areas that protect water quality; and /or acquisition of land in areas that protect key threatened habitats. Also considered will be whether the applicant has adopted programs to evaluate, regulate, fund and provide incentives for land and natural resource protection. Strategy 2: Develop and maintain a sustainable and resilient outdoor recreation infrastructure. Focus areas: Redevelopment, renovation or rehabilitation of current infrastructure, including improvements for safety, accessibility and energy efficiency. In addition, projects that result in sustaining the environmental infrastructure, such as water resources, native habitat, plants, animals, etc. Strategy 3: Promote increased outdoor recreation participation through targeted programming and outreach. Focus areas: Projects that result in more opportunities to participate with peers and family in nature -based outdoor recreation experiences through schools, youth programs, etc., for young people, people from diverse cultural communities or new immigrant communities and seniors. In addition, projects that help support nature education initiatives to ensure "no child left inside" address constraints to outdoor recreation such as economic issues, facility design, public awareness, safety or security issues and/or provide better access to outdoor recreation areas for people for whom limited mobility, cost, distance from recreation areas or other factors restrict participation. The complete SCORP document is available in the Grants category of the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov. Additional review components: The review will then assess the design of the proposed project and existing park facilities. Project design should be compatible with the physical characteristics of the site, consistent with generally accepted engineering and architectural design standards, in accordance with accessibility standards and minimize risk to the health and safety of users. In addition to the design, the review will look at the commitment of the applicant to accomplish the proposed project and to protect and preserve the funded recreation facility. This commitment is assessed through measures such as whether adequate operation and maintenance costs have been developed for the proposed project and if the applicant has committed some of its own resources to the project. Park Legacy Grant Programs 1 October `10