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A NOTE ABOUT LAKE ELMO PARK RESERVE Lake Elmo Park Reserve (LEPR) is a 2,165 acre park located in the heart of Lake Elmo. It is owned and operated by Washington County, and features archery, biking, camping, paddling, cross country skiing, playgrounds, a swimming pond, and other facilities. Admission is required for all vehicles entering the park. While Lake Elmo residents have access to this regional amenity, the city does not have direct input on the improvements, operations, or maintenance of LEPR. As such, it is largely excluded from amenity access considerations throughout the plan. For example, the playgrounds at LEPR are not included in the playround distribution analysis. LEPR is included, however, in the park access map, as residents walking or biking into the regional park are not required to pay an admission fee. 18 | EXISTING CONDITIONS + NEEDS NRPA PARKCLASSIFICATION STANDARDS Lake Elmo contains a variety of park types which can be distinguished from one another based upon their unique sizes, characteristics, and intended uses. To help park and recreation professionals more effectively manage their park systems and resources, the NRPA developed a set of park classifications, agency benchmarks, and service area and facility guidelines (all described in further detail in following pages) for agencies to utilize. Many park and recreation agencies use these resources to compare how their community’s amenities stack up against other communities. Incorporating these metrics into the park system planning process can lead to more informed decisions, better resource allocation, improved equity, and a higher likelihood of successful implementation and long-term sustainability. According to Lake Elmo’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the city contains the following park classifications: • Regional Park »Lake Elmo Park Reserve • Community Park »DeMontreville Wildlife Park »Sunfish Lake Park • Neighborhood Park »Carriage Station Park »DeMontreville Park »Goose Lake Park »Heights Park »Heritage Park »Ivywood Park »Kleis Park »Lake Jane Hills Park »Lions Park »Pebble Park »Reid Park »Ridge Park PARK CLASSIFICATIONS »Stonegate Park »Tablyn Park »Tana Ridge Park »VFW Park • Natural Resource Protection Area/Conservation Easement »Hammes Park »Homestead Park » There were also a few parks in the system that were not explicitly classified in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. They include: • Unclassified »Firefly Park »Hidden Knoll Park »Legion Ave N Park »Pilot Park » The table on the next page provides additional information about each NRPA park classification’s size, service area, typical location, and purpose. Classifying parks in this way ensures the appropriate management and conservation practices are applied based on each park’s specific purpose and unique characteristics. Developing and maintaining the system according to these guidelines will positively impact the community and its resources into the future.