08/24/95 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks and Open Space," and supporting documentation which included a memo to Mr. Mack and a spreadsheet on encroachment from Mr. David Sipila, Ramsey County's Right-of-Way Specialist; a copy of the park ordinance; and a June 22, 1995, news release entitled, "County park boundaries to b. marked." Mr. Mack reported that the Ramsey County parks and open space system has over 125 miles of boundary. Of this distance, approximately half abuts property other than roadway or lakeshore. He noted that the effect of allowing adjoining property owners to encroach on parkland would be significant if it were to occur on a system-wide basis. For example, a five-foot average encroachment will impact over 37 acres if extended across the system as a whole. He reported that the department's goal in boundary control is: To establish a mutual respect for the property boundary along the lands under its control and to preserve these properties for the benefit of all residents of the county. In keeping with this goal, the department has uniformly applied the following boundary control policy: Lands under management and control of the Parks and Recreation Department have been acquired to protect natural resources and provide outdoor recreational opportunities for the citizens of Ramsey County. The department will respect the rights of adjoining property owners by not encroaching on private properties. Encroachments by adjoining property owners onto parks and open space lands represent a private assumption of rights inconsistent with the intended public purpose for which these lands were acquired Accordingly, encroachments by adjoining property owners onto county parks and open space land will not be permitted or allowed Ms. Anderson stated that she feels the county should be sympathetic to property owners who have become unauthorized caretakers of adjoining county property. Mr. Singer stated that the county should be diplomatic but handle all encroachments in the same manner. Mr. Holmberg indicated that for every property owner that encroaches, there are two or three property owners who are concerned about the encroachment by others. Chairman Nolan suggested that letters of contact be sent to the adjoining property owners who are encroaching indicating the magnitude of the problem and the county-wide significance. Ms. Baker said the District 1 Community Council will be discussing this issue at a meeting scheduled for July 17 at the Conway Recreation Center. Ms. Ford moved, seconded by Ms. Crawford, that the Commission is in concurrence with the above boundary control policy and recommends that the county pursue enforcement without exception. Motion carried. MOWING PRACTICES WITHIN RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND OPEN SPACE Mr. Mack distributed copies and gave an overview of his memo to the Parks and Recreation Commission (attached to the official minutes) entitled, "Mowing Practices," and attachments which included a letter and petition to Commissioner Warren Schaber, and a letter to Mr. Mack from Mr. Rick Duffy, Outdoor Education Supervisor, Tamarack Nature Center. Mr. Mack said his memo relates to mowing, in general, in parks and adjacent properties. He reported that the following mowing practice is being applied throughout the county's parks and open space system: • 2