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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#22 - Sunfish Lake Park Trail STAFF REPORT DATE: 7/20/2021 REGULAR TO: City Council FROM: Ben Prchal, City Planner AGENDA ITEM: Reroute of Trails within Sunfish Lake Park REVIEWED BY: Marty Powers, Public Works Director Parks Commission BACKGROUND: In the summer of 2020 mountain bike trails were completed within Sunfish Lake Park. With the completion of the trials the number of users within the park has increased, primarily mountain bikers. The addition of the new trails has generated some growing pains. The initial trail was designed to mitigate the number of interactions between different users. Though the majority of the trail system achieves this goal, a Community User group has identified an area(s) that could be reworked to further improve the usability of the park. At the April 19th 2021, Parks Commission meeting Staff was able to provide a presentation on the concerns of the Community Group and provided some recommendations as to how the City could correct the identified issues. ISSUE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL: Does the City Council believe trails should be rerouted and reworked in Sunfish Lake Park to further reduce trail user interaction? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: The Community group has been very active in identifying issues with the trails and has produced recommendations as to how the City should address them. In this particular discussion the group has done their due diligence and found volunteers and funding to fully cover the costs of the proposed trail project. Tim Wegner, who initially built the mountain bike trials, has volunteered his time to run equipment and build the trails with the help of MORC (Who has a maintenance agreement for the bike trials), and volunteers. MORC has also secured funding to cover the costs of construction. The Nature Center has stated they would cover the cost to amend signage within the park. Re-route Proposal: Aspects of the Trial: The work is intended to correct issues with the trails at the entrance(s) of the park. From the parking lot all trail users are forced to share close to 400 ft. (If they follow their trails) of trail but because some bikers do use the main hill 600 ft. (Circled in yellow) would be a more accurate figure. It is this section of trail that spurred the need to make corrections. The proposed amendment will separate walkers and bikers from the start of the parking lot. The trail reroute also will help eliminate a section of trail that has been prone to erosion since its inception. By removing activity from the hill it will allow vegetation to grow in and hopefully curb the continuation of gullies. “Issue” Area Designated Bike Trail 2 Comments from Minnesota Land Trust: Staff has reached out to the Land Trust for two reasons. To first inform them that the discussion is happening and secondly to understand if the design/redesign of the trails would follow the same process as the original trail build. The proposed re-route discussed later in the report has not been formally reviewed by the Land Trust. However, I was informed that the total trail length within the park cannot increase. This stipulation is likely the most impactful in terms of design and figuring out which trails need to be “closed” to allow the new trail construction. With that in mind Staff incorporated the suggested layout from the Sunfish Park Community Group and began reworking the trials so there would not be a net gain in overall trail length in the park. Regarding the construction of the trail, the requirements of the original RFP will be used. Also, the builders of the original mountain bike trails will also be involved with the re-route and build of the newer trials. Signage: With the addition/reconfiguration of trails it will force a change of signage within the park. The Community Group/Nature Center asking for the trail changes stated to Staff that there is also a sign budget to make corrections to signage within the park. However, the City should be prepared to reserve funding to finish the project. Recommended Re-Route: The primary focus from the group was to separate bikers from certain walkers/hikers within the park. With that in mind, the recommendation is to remove two sections of walking trail and add in two new sections of bike trail so a designated entrance and exit can be established. From there a new, but short walking trail segment will be installed so that walkers/hikers can still access the trails. The proposed trail re-route and addition comes out with a net change of zero. The bike trail is estimated to add 1,989 ft., the rerouted trails comes to 1,214, and the removed walking trail comes to 3,220 ft. Based on the requirements of the Land Trust the proposal has a high likelihood of being accepted. Staff has included an exhibit to further explain the math and method used to calculate the figures. Although this proposal meets the objectives of the Community Group there was some opposition to the removal of the trail that loops east and then back west. Existing Layout Proposed Layout Walking Trail (Reroute) Bike Trail 3 Comments from the June 21st Park Meeting: To create a trail network that achieved the goals of the community group, the loop to the east will need to be removed (as shown above). At the meeting a representative of the group stated that this was not a desirable outcome and they would like to keep the eastern loop. Since that meeting they have identified a trail elsewhere within the park (intersection 11-19) that they would like to recommend for removal to re-establish an eastern stub. After speaking with the Land Trust it is understood that as long as there is no net gain of trail length they would likely not have an issue with the reconfiguration. The Community Group would like to recommend removing the black dashed trail and insert the purple stub. It should be known that the circled orange does not “exist.” (Email request attached with report). But they would also like to add the orange trail back in. To achieve this goal additional trail length elsewhere will need to be removed as this would result in an increase of trail length. To summarize, removal of the trail from 11-19 and addition of the purple stub would not result in an increase of trail length. But the full loop of purple to orange would result in a gain in trail length. Staff’s recommendation includes the removal of the intersection 11-19 and the addition of the purple stub. The Group would also like to see the addition of “no biking on hiking trails” added to the rules sign, the addition of “icon” signs, and the use of a sandwich board for seasonal information. Staff recommends that the Council direct staff to add icon signage where appropriate. FISCAL IMPACT (Estimated): Based on conversations with the groups Staff is not expecting a fiscal impact to the City, though some should be set aside in the instance that the plans fall through. MORC has secured funding to perform the work for the trail installation and reroute while the Community Group/Nature Center has expressed there is money set aside to update and replace signage. However, if the signage is not installed in a timely manner the Council should direct Staff to purchase and install signage as necessary. Staff is requesting to reserve $6,000 to install signage as needed. OPTIONS: The City Council may: 1. Approve the trail reconfiguration in Sunfish Lake Park. 2. Direct Staff to make amendments and then approve the reroute. 3. Deny the trail reconfiguration project. RECOMMENDATION: Parks Commission (June 21, 2021 Meeting): The Parks Commission recommended approval of the trail reconfiguration project and would like to see it started this year and take advantage of what is left of the 2021 construction season. Should the City not move forward with the trail reconfiguration, Staff is likely to suggest placing a barrier on top of the sledding hill to push bikers east on the desired route. Walkers would be able to easily move around the barrier but it would be cumbersome and require an intentional action for a biker to do so. Otherwise, if the City Council approves the trail reconfiguration, Staff will suggest requiring financial sureties/proof of funding from the group for the trails and updates to the signage along with an MOU that will further outline expectations. With funding being secured and money available to create new maps, Staff believes this is a good opportunity for the City to accept assistance to change the trails. Does not “exist” Proposed Removal 4 Removing the trail segment from intersection 11-19 would eliminate two intersections. Which would likely help with navigation within the park. Staff is considers this removal to be within the approval of Resolution 2021-082. Recommended Motions: Recommended motion for the trail construction. “Motion to approve Resolution 2021-082 which allows the reconfiguration of walking trails and installation of entrance and exit trails for mountain bikes in Sunfish Lake Park as outlined by Staff, subject to verification of project funding and the execution of an MOU between the City and MORC.” Recommended motion for signage donation. “Motion to approve Resolution 2021-083 accepting signage donation from the Sally Manzara Nature Center.” “Motion to allocate $6,000 from the Park Dedication Fund for updated signage within Sunfish Lake Park, only to be used if the donated signs are not installed to the expectations of Resolution 2021-083.” ATTACHMENTS: • Draft Trail Map • Exhibit for Trail Lengths • Community Group Email Request • Resolution 2021-082 • Resolution 2021-083 Sunfish Lake Restored Prairie Sunfish Lake Park P µ Landfill City of Lake Elmo 3880 Laverne Ave. N Lake Elmo, MN 55042 651-747-3940 www.lakeelmo.orgFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F F FFFF FFF!GF Wooded Area Open Field ParkingParkingP Landfill P Private Property 56 7 8 9 10 4 3 12 13 14 15 16 2 18 !G Single Track Trailhead Park Hours 1/2 Hour before Sunrise to 1/2 Hour after Sunset Multi-use TrailsMulti-use Trail 5.9 Miles F17 1 11 Single Track TrailsGreen Trail 1.1 Miles Black Trail 1.8 MilesBlue Trail 1.0 Mile 19 Trail Calculation Methods: Method 1: To calculate the trail distances Staff used two methods. The first method strictly worked off of the trials that were being added, amended, or removed Method 2: The second method consisted of taking the existing trail network as a whole and then comparing it to what the proposed would be. Comping the math between the two methods the difference is only 20 ft. Considering that different data sets are used for the trail network this difference is negligible and is likely the difference of moving one vertex (trail point). ID in Data Table Added Bike Trails 5 936 6 1053 Total in Ft. 1989 Rerouted Walking Trails 89 604 91 278 93 106 94 1096 96 68 Total in Ft. 2152 Total of Added and Rerouted Trails 4141 Removed Walking Trails 11 377 12 201 13 218 16 788 19 460 35 1152 41 222 47 141 52 335 56 134 57 103 58 72 Total in Ft. 4203 Existing Lengths Proposed Difference Bike Trails 19,663 21,652 -1,989 Walking Trail 32,358 30,287 2,071 Totals 52,021 51,939 82 1 Ben Prchal From:Ami Voeltz-Schakel <liberashun@hotmail.com> Sent:Saturday, July 10, 2021 6:34 PM To:Ben Prchal Cc:Tim Wegner; Ami Voeltz-Schakel Subject:ITEMS TO CITY COUNCIL - Sunfish Lake Park User Group Attachments:Additions and Subtractions.png Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Hi Ben,  The Sunfish Lake Park User Group met to discuss a solution to adding back in the east loop hiking trail section.  Please see the map with markings attached and the language the user group would like to see presented at  the city council meeting on the 20th.   Will you be presenting this to the city council and will we attend to answer questions and give support to  these motions?  Is the most up to date map the map at the parking lot? Our user group and Tim was having a difficult time with  identifying current trails and the numbering system because there are so many different maps out there at  this time.   Thank you for working with the user group to help bring these items to city council for approval.  Thanks,  Ami  Sunfish Lake Park User Group asks the city council to approve the following:  1.Approve new trail connector development to get bikers to and from the existing trailhead without riding on hiking trails (in yellow on map) 2.Approve adding back in the east hiking loop in purple (that was removed by the city planner) and removing points #10‐11 and #10‐19 with black hashes in order to keep the east hiking loop 3.Approve this sign plan: Add to parking lot rules board: No biking on hiking trails. Add posts and icon signs to all trailheads in the park (about 6) indicating user information such as No bikes, No horses, Hiking trail, Biking trail Use sandwich board at parking lot to indicate seasonal information for park users Thank you,  Ami   Sunfish Lake Restored Prairie Sunfish Lake Park P µ Landfill City of Lake Elmo 3880 Laverne Ave. N Lake Elmo, MN 55042 651-747-3940 www.lakeelmo.orgFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF F F FFFF FFF!GF Wooded Area Open Field ParkingParkingP Landfill P Private Property 56 7 8 9 10 4 3 12 13 14 15 16 2 18 !G Single Track Trailhead Park Hours 1/2 Hour before Sunrise to 1/2 Hour after Sunset Multi-use TrailsMulti-use Trail 5.9 Miles F17 1 11 Single Track TrailsGreen Trail 1.1 Miles Black Trail 1.8 MilesBlue Trail 1.0 Mile 19 CITY OF LAKE ELMO WASHINGTON COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO 2021-082 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A REROUTE OF WALKING TRAILS AND CONSTRUCTION OF MOUNTAIN BIKE ENTRANCE AND EXIT BIKE TRAILS WITHIN SUNFISH LAKE PARK WHEREAS, the City of Lake Elmo is a municipal corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and WHEREAS, The Sunfish Lake Park User Group has requested that walking trails be rerouted and entry and exit mountain bike trails be added into Sunfish Lake Park; and WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Parks Commission reviewed the request at its June 21st, 2021 meeting; and WHEREAS, the Lake Elmo Parks Commission has submitted its report and recommendation to the City Council as part of a Staff Memorandum dated July 20th, 2021; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered said matter at its July 20th, 2021 meeting. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED based on the testimony elicited and information received, the City Council approves the following: That after execution of an MOU, specific to the discussed project, MORC and their selected volunteers shall have permission to reroute walking trails and build mountain bike entrance and exit trials in Sunfish Lake Park as presented to the City Council on July 20, 2021. Passed and duly adopted this 20th day of July, 2021 by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. ________________________________ Mayor, Charles Cadenhead ATTEST: ________________________________ Julie Johnson, City Clerk CITY OF LAKE ELMO WASHINGTON COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO 2021-083 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATED SIGNAGE FROM THE SALLY MANZARA INTERPRETIVE NATURE CENTER AND APPROVAL TO INSTALL SIGNAGE WITHIN SUNFISH LAKE PARK. WHEREAS, Minnesota Statues Section 465.03 provides that donations to the City be accepted by resolution of the City Council; and WHEREAS, the City is specifically authorized to accept gifts and bequests for the benefit of recreational services pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 471.17; and WHEREAS, Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center has requested to donate signage within Sunfish Park (intersectional and kiosk); and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo agrees that said contribution would be of benefit to the citizens of Lake Elmo; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City Council does hereby approve the signage project donation request for Sunfish Lake Park subject to the following conditions: 1. Signage location and design for all signs shall be approved by the Lake Elmo Public Works Director. 2. Signage (intersection and kiosk) must be installed by September 30th, 2021. If signage has not been installed by this time the Lake Elmo Public Works Department will finish the project. Passed and duly adopted this 20th day of July, 2021 by the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. ___________________________________ Mayor, Charles Cadenhead ATTEST: ___________________________________ Julie Johnson, City Clerk