03/05/2001 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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o-4 • 2001 Outdoor Recreation Grant Program City of Lino Lakes Grant Application Development of Clearwater Creek Park Item 2. Project Narrative The Clearwater Creek 3rd Addition is a 163 acre residential development located within the city of Lino Lakes. This development is among the most unique and ecologically sensitive residential developments in the metro area. A cooperative effort between the developer and the city of Lino Lakes have made significant efforts to protect and incorporate more than 60 acres of woodland, prairie, and wetland open space habitats for the benefit of the environment and residents. A 5.5 acre neighborhood park is located at the center of the Clearwater Creek Development. The master plan for Clearwater Creek Park was approved by the City Council on January 8, 2001. The development plan of this park includes playground equipment, '/2 court basketball, sand volleyball, a gazebo, paved trails, and open space for informal play. Clearwater Creek Park is the only park located east of Highway 35E (Exhibit A). Clearwater Creek Park serves as the neighborhood park for over 350 families. Future development is expected to provide an additional 100 homes. The reality that this will be the only park to serve Lino Lakes residents that live east of 35E, places the development of Clearwater Creek Park a high priority within the city's parks system. To fulfill park dedication requirements, the developer dedicated the 5.5 acre park to the City of Lino Lakes, and paved approximately 1.2 miles of trails. There has been a tremendous effort to enhance the wetlands and open space. An open Space and Management Plan has been implemented to enhance the wetlands and open space. For example, more than 35 acres of degraded plant communities have been restored to provide more diverse and higher quality wildlife habitats. In wooded areas dominated by mature oak, maple and basswood trees, the removal of non - native invasive shrubs such as buckthorn, prickly ash, and honeysuckle allows sunlight to reach the ground and stimulate the growth of lush herbaceous ground cover. This Open Space and Management Plan effort has created a tremendous environmentally friendly development. However, this has resulted in insufficient funds to develop the only neighborhood park located east of Highway 35E. An award of an Outdoor Recreation Grant would allow the City of Lino Lakes to develop Clearwater Creek Park that will complement this unique, ecologically sensitive residential development. The hundreds of families that are separated from the city's existing parks system have made it very clear the urgency of developing Clearwater Creek Park.