HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/27/1994MOUNDS VIEW PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
AGENDA
Thursday, October 27, 1994
Golf Course - 6:00 p.m.
City Hall - afterwards
11. ADJOURNMENT
Y1.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
'3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
ORDINANCE REVIEW
5.
GROVELAND & HILLVIEW PARK BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS
1�.
GREENFIELD PARK -- RE-ESTABLISHING THE NATURE AREA
SILVER VIEW PARK DITCH TRAVERSE UPDATE
NO NET LOSS PARKLANDS POLICY
GROVELAND PARK ADDITION PROPERTY APPRAISAL
;u-
REVIEW 1994 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
11. ADJOURNMENT
CITY OF
Phone: (612) 784-3055
Fax: (612) 784-3462
"Quite Simply the Best"
October 17, 1994
Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners:
Last month's meeting was a scrub - we ended up canceling due to
lack of quorum. So let's be sure to meet at this October meeting
to wrap up business for yearend. THE MEETING WILL BE THURSDAY,
OCTOBER 27. I have invited the Golf Course Task Force to meet
with us at 6:00 pm at the Golf Course for a tour. Much of the
construction has been completed with a few last things left. In
addition, Kurt will be doing more fencing and other projects
after the construction company has completed their contract and
has completed all items.
After the Golf Course tour (at 6:00 p.m.) we will return to City
Hall and begin our regular Parks and Recreation Commission
meeting. The big item on the agenda is the new Parks and
Recreation Ordinance. I need your input on this before it goes
to City Council. Please review the ordinance before the meeting
so that we don't have to go over it during the meeting. Make
notes on your copy.
We also need to get caught up with the park building improvement
process. It has become more costly than anticipated because of
the deteriorating condition of the buildings. But once they have
been improved, they should be good for many more years.
The City Council has approved the Commission's request.to open
Woodcrest Park ice skating rink this winter! This is good news.
We are finally back to where we were before the big budget cut
years ago - with four open neighborhood rinks. The people south
of Highway 10 will be glad.
Don't miss this meeting. I'll even bring brew and buttery
fingers to entice you. If you must miss, please call me at 784-
0618. . but remember, this meeting is very close to Halloween
night - and if you miss this meeting - well, let me just say that
I wouldn't risk missing the meeting. Cackle, cackle.
Somewhat Sincere
I
Mary Saarion, Director
Parks, Recreation & Forestry
""CNK 2401 Highway 10 o Mounds View, MN 55112-1499
Equal Opportunity Employer
Ohl
PLEASE BRING SEPTEMBER'S- AGENDA -PACKET
4F INFORMATION TO BE A PART
OF THIS OCTOBER'S PACKET OF INFORMATION
.,� REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
-STALE REJ�Qjn
CITY COUNCIL. MEETING DATE October 10, 1994
item liesenpnon: Approve Operation of Woodcrest Park Rink Activities
Administrator's Review/Recommendation: r�
- No comments to supplement this report�� •�'
- Comments attached. }
Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.)
SUMMARY -
Agenda Section: 8 • I
Report Number- 94-1337C
Report Date: 10-6-94
Council Action:
C Special Order of Business
C Public Hearings
k^ Consent Agenda
C Council Business
Staff is requesting, with the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation
Commission, approval to open Woodcrest Park ice skating rink activities
this winter. The costs would be the hourly wage of a park attendant, an
estimated cost of $2,348.50 for 427 hours from December 24 - February
12, 1995. The rink would be a small pleasure rink. Preparation would
include the installation of lighting off the park building. The. Park
crew, with the use of the water truck for flooding purposes will be able
to establish and maintain this additional, small pleasure rink.
(Pleasure rinks take much less time than hockey rinks because there is
no need to shovel the boards, move boards and nets, etc.).
Woodcrest Park has been without a rink for approximately 3 years. There
have been requests from the neighborhood for skating facilities.
Provision of a pleasure rink would serve the needs of those that live
within the blocks from County Road H2 and County Road H, Long Lake Road
to Silver Lake Road and perhaps further west depending upon ease of
crossing Silver Lake Road.
The Parks and Recreation Department is offering a new after school latch
key program at the rinks (See information attached). This program is
being held in the park buildings, offering after school ice skating
activities. It would be nice to be able to include Woodcrest Park in
this program since it is the only location available -to the children
south of Highway 10. School District 621 is working out the bussing
schedule to accommodate this program.
Mary Saarion, i
iix l t li . f
of Parks, Recreation and
Forestry
To approve the operation of Woodcrest Park rink activities for 1994-1995
winter season.
SNACK 'N' SKATE
AN AFTER SCHOOL LATCH KEY PROGRAM
Students in this prograae =mill - cbme==to- either -Hill. ew, :Gro�,►eland Y - -
or Lambert Parks for after school "Snack and Skating" activities.
Park Attendants will supervise the participants until parents
come to pick up the children on their way home from work. This
is an after school program designed for children who would
otherwise be home alone. Registration will require a form
designating appropriate persons who will pick up the children and
approximate pick-up times. The program will be held Mondays
through Fridays from January 3 - February 10. Fee is $30.00
including the cost of after school snacks such as juice and
popcorn, cookies, fruit or other healthy and yummy treat. The
School District's bus transportation division will coordinate
routes to make sure that students who normally ride the bus to
school can be dropped off at one of these parks. Board games
such as Monopoly, Parchessi, Candyland, Clue, Life, Checkers,
Trouble, Yatze, Uno and Hooks and Ladders will be played on days
when it is too cold to ice skate. Children in this programs can
leave their skates at the rinks rather than having to carry them
every day.
Reaistration Deadline is Wednesday December 21.
Who: Students 1st - 5th grades at Sunnyside or Pinewood
Schools
When: Begins January 3 - February 10, 1995
Fee: $30.00 includes daily snacks
Where: Choice of location at Lambert Park, Hillview Park or
Groveland Park. F
Remember to register by the deadline noted above.
A• . �� REQUEST FOR"COUNCM-CONSIDERATION
:.,
October 10, 1994
C= COUNCIL MEETING DATE
Item Description: Approve Park_ Bgilding- -Repair.-f or Hillview and 'Grovels
Administrator's Review/Recommendation:
- No comments to supplement this report
- Comments attached.
i'
Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.)
SUMMARY:
Agenda Section: 8 . H
Report Number. 94-1335C
Report Date: 10-6-94
Council Action:
Special Order of Business
Public Hearings
M Consent Agenda
❑ Council Business
k Bui -RnRS
The joists and exterior rim and siding were observed to be rotting at
both Groveland and Hillview Park buildings because of the lack of a
vapor barrier, insulation and ventilation in the crawl space of both
buildings. In addition, the landscaping was too high, the block
foundation too low and the crawl space at less than the minimum
distance. These problems were identified by City Building Inspector
Rick Jarson. At his recommendation, a price quote was requested and
received from the carpenter who is contracting the improvements to both
buildings at the present time., The quote is $10,355 for replacement of
the rotting wood, repair to areas, installation of a vapor barrier at
both buildings and additional installation of exterior siding with
painting and windows at Groveland Park building. -
This is an emergency situation. The work needs to be done in order to
maintain the integrity of the buildings and for the continued
maintenance and use of the buildings. The funding source identified is
Park Improvement Funds of 1994.
Mary Saari
or of Parks, Recreation and Forestry
-N.
Approve the repair work that needs to be done at both Hillview and
Groveland Park buildings at a cost of $10,355 with the funding source
being the 1994 Park Improvement Fund dedication.
y..,. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
STAFF REJ!Q fU
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE October 10, 1994
Item Description: Approve Silver View Park Storm Water Assessments
Administrator's Review/Recommendation:
- No comments to supplement this report Grt1�
i
- Comments attached.
Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.)
Agenda Section: 8 . J
ReportNumber. 94-1337C
Report Date: 10-6-94
Council Action:
C Special Order of Business
C Public Hearings
Consent Agenda
C Council Business
SEH met with staff to observe the area of the storm water ditch at
Silver Lake Park. SEH suggested that there may be a way to incorporate
storm water management objectives and the installation of a culvert
(traversing the ditch to accommodate the pathway located off Silver Lake
Road and entering the park). SEH will assess the project and look into
any permit requirements as well as draft a letter that could be provided
to Rice Creek Watershed regarding the coordination of a storm water
management program with the installation of a culvert traversing the
storm water ditch at Silver View Park. A letter from Rocky Keehn is
attached and defines the project background and proposed scope of work.
The cost of the assessment work would not exceed $750.
Mary Saarion",
or of Parks, Recreation and Forestry
RE C OMMMMATrOnt-
To approve the expenditure, not to exceed $750, transferring funds from contingency to Park Operations, 100-
4360-160 for an assessment on the permitting options and opportunities of installing a culvert at the storm water
ditch at Silver View Park to be performed by SEH.
06/22/94 1.1: 08 F.0 612 490 2i5o SEH ST. ?AUL
ID G [7 �,' G r
J535 VApNAlS CENTER DRIVE 100 SEN Com, ST. P41J1 . MN 55110
672490-2= gCq 32$.?C5c
ARCHITECTURE rNGlNEE7r 1NG JJVIRCVruENTAL TRANSPORTATION
June 22, 1994
Ms. Mary Sarrion
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Mounds View
2401 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
Dear Mary:
RE: Mounds View, Minnesota
Miscellaneous Water Resources Services
Review Lmpacts on Wetland for Proposed
Trail Crossing of a Local Ditch
SEH No. A-MOUND9402.00
In order to complete a trail from the shelter in the southwest corner of Silver View Park to Silver
View Road, a crossing of a major drainage ditch is required. One option that is being considered
is a culvert and fill crossing of the ditch. This crossing may impact wetland located in the ditch
and upstream of the proposed crossing. ;
BACKGROUND
An existing path has been created from Silver View Park to Silver View Road without benefit
of a designed trail system. The pathway crosses a ditch which drains several acres of area north
of the crossing. The ditch continues from the crossing south into Silver View Pond.
The City has pursued a bridge crossing of the ditch. However. funding for the bridge was not
obtained. A culvert crossing appears to be a cost effective alternative to the bridge. Stricter
wetland Tea lation by the State make projects near or in wetlands more difficult to build. A
preliminary investigation of the wetlands is required before a culvert crossing is engineered.
Beside providing a crossing of the ditch, the cidvert and berm znay be used to create a water
quality pond. A water quality pond in this Location is consistent with the Local Water
Management Plan's capital improvement program. A sediment pond in this location would help
Protect Silver View Pond.
SCOPE OF WORK
The following tasks will be performed to provide the City necessary information to determine
if a culvert crossing is feasible:
I. Site Visit: A visit to the site will give a preliminary investigation on the extent of wetland
that would be impacted by the project_ Both the impacts of the culvert crossinz
and resulting pondirng and the ability to use the area as a sediment pond Y,nd
be explored.
SHORT al LICTr
06,'22/ 94 _4:08 F.1 612 490 2150 SEH ST. PAUL
Ms, Mary Sarrion
June 22, 1994
Page Z
Q00si00
2. Results: A letter report will be prepared which summarizes the results of the field work.
The letter will discuss the extent of the wetland, the impact of the ponding
behind the culvert on the wetlands, the impact of using the area as a sediment
basin and the expected response of Rice Creek Watershed District on the project.
Meeting: We will meet with City staff to discuss the result of the preliminary assessment
of the impacts on the wetlands.
ML =OD OF COMPENSATION
For completion of the culvert crossing review for the City of Mounds View as identified in the
Scope of Work, we propose you compensate us on a hourly basis plus reimbursable expenses
as outline in our Letter of Agreement dated June 10, 1991. The compensation will need to be
adjusted if further meetings are required with the City Council or RCWD. This contract does
not include any engineering analysis of the culvert crossing or a detailed wetland investigation
based on guidelines in the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991. The total project cost will not
exceed $750 for the tasks outlined in'the above scope of work
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
To complete the above referenced document, the City will need to approve the letter agreement
and review the results with SEH.
SCHEDULE
We will complete the project within two weeks of being authorized to begin. As soon as we
receive ,your authorization to proceed, we will schedule the field work. If you have any
questions or wish to make modification to the agreement, please call me at 490-2026.
Sincerely,
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.
Rocky J. _ ehn, P.E.
Project Manager, Water Resources Department
do
c: Steve Campbell, SEH
Mark Lobermeier, SEH
REQUEST FOR-COUNCM CONSMER:ATION -
October 10, 1994
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE
Agendsar5ectlon' —a_y_
Report Number: , _ i Z2Zj
Report Date:
Council Action:
C Special Order of Business
C Public Hearings
Consent Agenda
❑ Council Business
Item Description: Approve Appraisal <fo�.":Land Adjarent'--t-6'-Girodelafid Parc
Administrator's Review/Recommendation:
- No comments to supplement this report
-Comments attached. .
Explanation/Summary (attach supplement sheets as necessary.)
Kay Newton, executor of the Newton estate, ca-Iled me the other day
asking the status of the land adjacent to Groveland Park. I told her
that the City had an interest in purchasing the property and that park
acquisition funding was proposed in the 1995 budget. Kay indicated that
her family had the land appraised and the appraised value was $40,000.
Staff requests the approval of the City Council to have our own
appraisal done on the property so that we Gan then negotiate the sale of
the property at a later date. The proposed 1995 Budget includes $25,000
for park land acquisition.
Mary S
or of Parks, Recreation and Forestry
REQ OMIN E. ATTO No
Approve the funding of an appraisal of the Newton grassland property, to be funded with contingency funds, thus
approving the transfer of contingency funds, not to exceed $350 (estimate is $250 unless something is atypical in
this appraisal), to Parks Operations, 100 - 4360 - 160.
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CHAPTER 905
PARRS AND RECREATION
ARTICLE I. IN GENERAL
905.01 In General.
(a) PURPOSE. This article has been enacted, pursuant
to Chapter 950, 1971 Laws of Minnesota, as amended,
which authorizes the Mounds View City Council to enact
ordinances to govern the conduct of members of the
public during their use and enjoyment of the Mounds
View Open Space System so as to further the safety,
health, enjoyment and welfare of all persons in the use
thereof, and to protect public property and resources
for posterity.
(b) DEFINITIONS:
(1) "City" shall mean and refer to the City of Mounds View.
(2) "Open space site" shall mean and refer to any park,
reserve, special use area, golf course, linear park or any
other area owned, improved maintained, operated or otherwise
controlled by the City of Mounds View for recreation and
natural resource preservation purposes.
(3) "Park system" shall mean and refer to the City of
Mounds View Park System which includes the sites and
facilities owned , maintained, and operated by or otherwise
under the authority of the City of Mounds View pursuant to
Chapter 950, 1971 Laws of Minnesota.
(4) "Parks" shall mean any area designed or used for active
or passive recreation and which is owned, operated or
controlled by the City or controlled by another government
unit.
(5) "Director" shall mean and refer to the director of
parks and recreation - that person authorized by the Mounds
View City Council to direct the department of parks and
recreation.
(6) "Person" shall mean and refer to any individual, firm,
partnership, corporation and association of persons.
(7) "Department" shall mean and refer to the City of Mounds
View Parks and Recreation Department.
(8) "Open space waters" shall mean any public shoreline
owned by or under the authority of the City of Mounds View.
(9) "Law enforcement officer" shall mean and refer to any
person duly deputized or commissioned by the City of Mounds
View, Board of Ramsey County Commissioners or the State of
Minnesota for the purpose of enforcing the laws, ordinances
and regulations of their respective jurisdictions.
(10) "Motor vehicle" Every vehicle which is self-propelled
and does not derive its power from overhead wires. Motor
vehicles include, but shall not be limited to automobiles,
trucks, motor bikes, mini bikes, and snowmobiles - with the
exception of battery powered wheelchairs.
(c) CONSTRUCTION AND SCOPE In the interpretation of this
article, all provisions contained herein shall be construed
as follows:
(1) Any term in the singular shall also mean the plural:
(2) Any term in the masculine shall also mean the feminine
and neuter;
(1) Any requirement or prohibition by any provision herein,
shall respectively extend to and include the causing,
procuring, aiding or abetting directly or indirectly, of
such acts; and the permitting or allowing any minor by the
responsible parent, guardian, or custodian to commit any
such act;
(4) No provision herein shall make unlawful any act
necessarily performed by any law enforcement officer or
department employee in the line of duty or work as such, or
by any person, his agents or employees, in the proper and
necessary execution of the terms of any contract or
agreement with the City of Mounds View;
(5) Any act otherwise prohibited by statute or local
ordinances, shall be lawful if performed under, by virtue of
and strictly within the provisions of a department permit to
do so, and to the extent authorized thereby.
905.02 HOURS AND ACCESS
(a) The recreation and education opportunities of the
system shall be available to all members of the public
regardless of race, sex, age, creed, national origin or
place of residency.
(b) The system shall be open to the public between the
hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., prevailing time in Mounds
View. No person shall remain, stop, use or be present
within the confines of any open space site between the hours
of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Exceptions may be made at the
discretion of the director in the case of emergency or when
use permits have been authorized or for other reasons the
director may determine necessary or desirable. Open space
sites are subject to curfew hours in force in Mounds View.
(c) Any section or part of any open space site may be
declared closed to the public by the director at any time or
for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular
and stated intervals, and either entirely or for certain
uses as the director shall find necessary.
905.03 PERMITS
(a) Permits shall be required for the exclusive use of all
or portions of specific areas, buildings, and other system
facilities; and for conducting special events such as those
of a cultural, educational, political, religious or
recreational nature; and for specific exemption from any
provision of this article. Any person, group or association
of persons required to obtain a permit shall file an
application for such permit with the director.
(b) The grantee of a permit shall be bound by this article
and any department regulations in force as though the same
were inserted in said permit.
(c) The grantee of a permit shall be liable for any loss,
damage or injury sustained by the system or by any person
whatever, by reason of the negligence of the person or
persons to whom such permits are issued.
(d) The grantee of a permit shall not transfer or
relinquish said permit to another person or group of persons
without the written permission of the director.
(e) The director shall have the authority to revoke a
permit upon evidence of good cause.
(f) No person shall in any manner disturb, harass, or
interfere with the grantee of a valid permit, nor with any
of the grantee's property or equipment.
(g) Permits shall be issued to adults only and said adult
shall be on the premises at all times during the duration of
the permit.
(h) No person or group shall place or keep any goods,
wares, merchandise or other articles on park property or
facilities without the written permission of the director.
(i) No person shall use park facilities such as picnic
areas, ballfields, tennis courts or volleyball courts which
have been reserved by another party, or to conduct picnic
activity at reservation picnic sites in violation of a
permit.
905.04 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES.
(a) PICNICK NG. No person ha picnic in an pen space
site except i hose areas spe fically design and
equipped f r uch use.
(b) SWIMMING.
(1) No person shall bathe, wade or swim in any open space
waters or at any Mounds View beach except in such areas
specifically designated for such use, and only at such times
when a authorized lifeguard is on
duty. C ff -5 /O'd� �L 5? 6 -�,�
(2) No person shall bathe, wade or swim at any beach except
when dressed in bathing attire which is socially acceptable
and conducive to water safety;
(3) No person shall use at any beach any inner tube, water
wings, raft, U.S Coast Guard approved life jackets when
properly attached or other inflatable or buoyant object
except if parents or a guardian adult is in the water with
the child and is within arms reach;
(4) No person shall possess, carry onto or scatter on any
beach, any glass �kengla'ss, metal can, or other
debris which could be a sa ee� a rd;
(5) No person having custody of any animal shall permit
said animal to enter any beach area during the swimming
season so established by the director;
(6) No person shall launch, dock or operate any watercraft
in any designated- swimming area.
c BICYCLING
(1) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any open
space site except on designated bikeways or surfaces
normally provided for vehicular traffic;
(2) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in violation
of Chapter 169, Minnesota Statutes 1974, as amended.
Persons riding a bicycle shall observe and obey all traffic
and directional signs;
(3) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any open
space site except in a prudent and careful manner, and
unless such person shall be capable of effective control and
operation of said vehicle. Pedestrians and motorized
vehicles shall have the right - of - way where a bikeway
intersects pedestrian trails or roadways;
(4) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in any open
space site faster than is reasonable and safe, with regard
to the safety or the operator and other persons in the
immediate area;
(5) No persons shall ride or operate a bicycle in any open
space site thirty (30) minutes after sunset and thirty (30)
minutes before sunrise without appropriate front and rear
lighting;
I,,-
(6) All bicycle riders shall remain in single file and
proceed in the extreme right hand lane of a drive or bikeway
at all times except when passing another vehicle or
bicyclist parked or traveling in the same direction;
(7) Wherever provided, bicycles shall be parked in
locations set aside specifically for their storage.
(d) GOLF:
(1)
(1) No person or group of persons or organization shall
play golf or hold a tournament or use any golf course or
practice range under the jurisdiction of the City of Mounds
View without having procured a permit or green fee receipt
from the director e�-his representative;
&,41'
(2) No persons shall drive, putt or in any other manner
play or practice golf except in areas specifically designed
for such use;
(3) Valid permits or green fee receipts issued by the
department shall be carried on the player, or group
representative and shall be exhibited upon demand by the
director or his representative.
(4) Golfers shall be properly attired in accordance with
socially acceptable standards.
(5) No person shall tamper with any irrigation system, tee
marker, green flag, or maintenance equipment;
(6) No person shall sell any merchandise on any golf course
except those concessionaires authorized by the director;
(7) Entrance to or exit from any golf course shall only be
through designated access points.
e BOATING:
(1) No person shall on any lake, pond or stream within the
City use any mechanically propelled boat or other watercraft
unless being used for emergency rescue or the maintenance of
the lake, pond or stream.
(2) No persons shall operate any watercraft on any open
space waters contrary to or in violation of Chapter 361,
Minnesota Statutes 1974, as amended;
(3) N
.per on sha 1 laun'hn or la any boat,, anoe, rq t or
oth raft horf om any reline u.,i r thejur ction of a city exce at ocatans s fically
des gted for su purpo
(4) person shall operate, row or paddle a boat, canoe or
other watercraft on any open space waters unless able to
handle the same with safety to himself, other occupants
thereof, or in such manner as not to annoy or endanger the
occupants of other boats;
(5) No persons shall leave any watercraft unattended except
in areas specifically designated for mooring, anchoring or
beaching;
(6) No person shall operate watercraft within an area which
has been designated as a swimming area;
(7) No person shall drop or throw any watercraft garbage,
litter or other debris;
(8) All watercraft launched from a system facility or
operating on open space waters shall have a Coast Guard
approved life preserver for each occupant;
(9) No person shall operate any watercraft in a careless or
reckless manner.
f MOTORIZED RECREATION VEHICLE:
(1) No person shall operate a motorized recreation vehicle
within any•open space site except in such areas specifically
designated for such use;
(2) No person shall operate a nonlicensed vehicle on any
parkway or other roadway within an open space site.
(3) No person shall place any vehicle for sale or exchange
on park property.
(4) No person shall wash, grease, repair, change oil or
maintain in any way a vehicle except as necessary in an
emergency.
Lg) CAMPING_ No person shall establish or maintain any
camp or other temporary lodging or sleeping
place in any open space site.
904.05 GENERAL CONDUCT:
La) DEFACEMENT DESTRUCTION OF -PROPERTY AND RESOURCES:
(1) No person shall tamper with, climb on, injure, deface,
destroy, disturb, damage, move or remove any part of any
park building, portable bathrooms, structure, sign, light
pole, drinking fountain, hydrant, picnic table, grill, trash
receptacle, equipment, statute or other property found
therein;
M
(2) No person shall deface, disturb or remove in any manner
any soil, artifact, fossil, rock or other mineral resource)
(3) No person shall excavate any ditch, trench, tunnel or
hole in any open space site.
(4) No person shall erect or maintain a shelter, hockey
goals or other structures on the ice unless the structure is
portable and removed each day.
(5), No, persv s_ art • oma . ntai an. f'. .' n the Ii .e
p cS id d t an�.fa,�tqr d h atrws ' n 1 ' riauf eu8 . t
b PRESERVATION OF VEGETATION:
(1) No person shall injure, cut, destroy, mutilate, uproot,
disturb, or remove any flower, tree, shrub, or any plant
whether wild or cultivated, or any part thereof;
(2) No person shall plant or cause to be planted any wild,
cultivated or exotic tree, shrub, or plant except in
specifically designated areas with the written permission of
the director;
(3) No person shall fell or climb any tree; pick any
flowers, fruit or vegetable (not self grown); trample any
flowers, tree seedlings, flower beds, vegetable gardens or
new turf seedlings;
(4) No person shall hitch any animal or fasten, anchor or
otherwise attach any wire, rope, cable, signs, posters, or
other articles to any tree, shrub or plant;
(5) No person shall make any unauthorized use of any open
space site which is detrimental to the turf and soil
conditions;
(6) No person shall remove any device, apparatus or
material installed for the protection, support, or
preservation of any tree, shrub or plant.
(7) No person shall construct or place any type of
structure including but not limited to deer tree stands,
playhouses, treehouses, temporary storage buildings,
motorcycle or bicycle launches, temporary shelters, tent,
tarps, canopies or other such devices upon park land without
permission by the director.
(C) ANIMALS:
(1) No person owning, being in custody, or having control
of an animal, whether wild, pet or domestic, shall cause or
allow such animal to roam or be at large in any open space
site;
(2) No person being in custody of any animal shall permit
said animal to enter any beach area, nature interpretive
area, wildlife refuge, golf course or park building, whether
leashed or otherwise, except dogs assisting visually
handicapped persons;
(3) No person in custody of any pet or animal shall allow
said animal to disturb, harass, or interfere with other open
space users or their property;
(4) No person may feed wild animals or birds or deposit a
food source for wild animal or birds in the park system.
(5) Any unattended domestic animal or pet found roaming or
at large within any open space site shall be impounded;
(6) All state and local ordinances relating to the
licensing and muzzling of animals and pets shall apply to
same brought into any open space site;
(7) No person shall release or introduce any exotic or wild
animal in any open space site without written permission of
the director;
(8) Iio PE son owning r in cust dy of ny pet r dome�s ti
anima h 11 a law suchanimal grazeor�fowz;m
open spat sit
(9) It is unlawful for any person who owns, harbors, or has
custody of a dog, cat or other animal to permit such animal
to defecate on any public property unless such person
immediately removes the excrement and properly disposes of
it.
d HUNTING FISHING AND MOLESTING WILDLIFE:
(1) No person shall kill, hunt, trap, pursue, injure,
molest or unnecessarily disturb or have in possession any
species of wildlife including birds, waterfowl, fish or
other animals found within the confines of any open space
site, except that fishing may be permitted in designated
areas subject to laws and regulations as established by the
State of Minnesota;
(2) No person shall rob, disturb, or molest the nest, eggs
or young of any birds, or other animals within the confines
of any open space site.
(e) FIRES•
(1) No person shall start or maintain a fire in any open
space site except small recreational fires in fireplaces,
fire rings and grills provided for that purpose in areas
specifically designed for such use. Private grills may be
used in designated areas provided that all ashes and residue
therefrom be disposed of in containers provided for such
disposal.
(2) Any person who starts or maintains a fire in an
authorized area shall exercise continuous supervision from
the time the fire is kindled until it is extinguished. No
fire shall cause damage or constitute a threat to site
vegetation and resources, nor shall it cause discomfort to
other open space users;
(3) The director may, at his discretion, prohibit fires for
limited periods at any location for any purpose when it is
necessary for the continued protection of park property and
resources.
fl LdASTE AND LITTER•
(1) No person shall throw, cast, drop, pour, spill or
discharge, or permit to escape in or upon any land, pond,
river, creek, stream, ditch, storm sewer or drain flowing
into or through any open space site, any substance, matter
or thing whether solid, liquid, or gas, which shall result
in the pollution of said waters, interfere with the
conservation management of the water resource, or endanger
the health of the public;
(2) No person shall deposit in public trash receptacles any
household refuse, including all organic material resulting
from the manufacture, preparation, or serving of food or
food products; spoiled, decayed or waste products from any
source; bottles, cans or glassware; paper or paper products;
crockery, ashes, rags, discarded clothing, tree or lawn
clippings, leaves, weeds, waste resulting from building
construction, remodeling or demolition; and other waste
products, unless such refuse is the result of activities in
the park in which such public receptacles are located.
(3) No person shall drop, throw or otherwise leave
unattended in any open space site lighted matches, burning
cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, paper or other combustible
material.
FIREARMS WEAPONS FIREWORKS:
(1) No person shall possess, fire, discharge, or set
off any firearm, missile, fireworks, or explosives in
any open space site. Permits for fireworks will only
be issued upon proof of adequate insurance and
compliance with state statutes;
(2) No person, except a law enforcement officer, shall
possess or carry a firearm of any description in any open
space site. No person shall possess or carry in any open
space site any air gun, bow and arrow, knife with a blade
greater than three (3) inches, slingshot, dart or projectile
thrower, or any other dangerous or illegal weapon. Na4h-inng
in --t % s t-i-eth,a-li-lie-construed-t-o -pre-vemt-the
-i-r�a��m s--anr�--b rooas----oTt
r et -ranges-,
(3) Any unauthorized or illegal weapon within an open space
site shall be subject to seizure by a law enforcement
officer.
h DISTURBING THE PEACE - CONDUCT:
(1) No person, or group of persons, shall disturb the peace
and good order in any open space site by either work or act;
(2) No person, or group of persons, shall use threatening,
abusive, insulting, obscene or indecent language or commit,
perform or engage in any lewd, lascivious, obscene or
indecent act;
(3) No person, or group of persons shall engage in
fighting, quarreling, wrangling, riotous clamor, or tumult;
(4) No person, or group of persons, shall disturb, harass
or interfere with any open space user or the user's
property.
(5) No person shall solicit or ask anyone to commit,
perform or engage in any lewd,lascivious, obscene or
indecent act or behavior.
i AUDIO DEVICES. No person shall operate or play any
musical instrument, radio, television, record or tape
players, loudspeaker, public address system or sound
amplifying equipment of any kind in any open space site in
such as manner that the sound emanating therefrom is audible
beyond the immediate vicinity of the set or instrument, and
subsequently interferes with the use of the open space site
by other users or disturbs the residents of adjacent
property.
LZ)LOITERING:
(1) No person over the age of six (6) shall enter any
comfort station or restroom, washroom or toilet facility set
apart or designated for the opposite sex;
(2) No person shall lurk or loiter in or around any toilet
facility or other system structure except to use such
facility for the purpose of which it is intended.
k ALCOHOLIC AND INTOXICATING BEVERAGES. No person shall
possess, have within his or he _,, ate control, display,
consume or use intoxicating Anon -intoxicating malt,
liquor in or upon any public park open space.
1 PARADES ENTERTAINMENT PUBLIC MEETINGS. No
precession, parades, pageants, ceremonies, exhibitions,
celebration, training exercises, speeches, entertainment or.
other public gatherings shall be allowed to take place in
any open space site or on any parkway except with written
permission of the city council or director.
(m) GAMES. No person shall engage in any potentially
dangerous games involving thrown or propelled objects, such
ast;,al , horseshoes, arrows, golf balls,
Itteetei or similar objects except in areas
specifically designated for such usage. ' P �.r
n USE OF TENNIS AND BASKETBALL COURTS:
(1) No persons shall use a bicycle, roller skates,
skateboard or scooter, or allow a dog to be on a color
coated tennis or basketball court surface, excluding hockey
rink pavement which is specially designed for rollerblade
use.
(2) No person shall use a tennis court or basketball court
while not wearing tennis shoes.
(3) No person shall play continuously upon a tennis court
for more than one (1) hour while others are waiting to use
the court.
(4) No person shall play hockey on a tennis court.
o SKATEBOARDS: A skateboard is a footboard or similar
object mounted on wheels and designed or intended to propel
a rider by human power or force of gravity but without
mechanical assistance. The following are not skateboards:
a wheelchair operated by a disabled person.
(1) It is unlawful to operate a skateboard upon the
shoulder of main -travelled portion of a state or county road
within the city.
(2) It is unlawful to operate a skateboard carelessly or
heedlessly in disregard of the rights of others, or in a
manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons,
property or the operator of the skateboard.
(3) It is unlawful to operate a skateboard in a place where
the surface or traffic conditions render the place unsafe
for skateboarding.
(4) It is unlawful to operate a skateboard on private
property without the prior express permission of the owner
of the property.
(5) An operator of a skateboard must yield the right-of-way
to any other type of vehicle or a pedestrian while the
operator is entering or travelling upon a street, alley,
sidewalk or bicycle path.
(6) The operation and use of skateboards is restricted to
paved trails, paved hockey rinks and paved parking lots
which are unoccupied, located in the parks.
A person who violates this section is guilty of a petty
misdemeanor and may be fined up to $50.
ADVERTISING:
(1) No person shall distribute or disseminate any leaflets,
pamphlets, circulares, handbills, advertisements or other
written or printed material except with the written
permission of the director;
(2) No persons shall post, display, affix or attach amy
sign, poster, placard, notice, banner or advertisement to
any tree, building, shelter, fence, pole or other structure
except with the written permission of the director;
(3) No person shall use loudspeakers, sound amplifying
equipment, musical equipment or cause any noise to be made
for advertising purposes or for the purpose of attracting
attention to any exhibition, performance, event or other
purpose except with the written permission of the director.
UNLAWFUL SALES.
(1) No person shall sell, offer for sale, hawk, peddle or
lease any object, merchandise or service or carry on any
manner of business or commerc=ial enterprise except those
concessions authorized or operated by the city.
(2) No person shall park or occupy a vehicle or stand to
sell any farm produce, flowers, merchandise or any other
product or for conducting any business or selling of
services unless authorized by the City.
r SOLICITING ALMS No person shall beg or solicit alms,
donations or contributions. ►���� —
(s) PHOTOGRAPHY. No person shall take any photographs, or
motion or sound pictures for commercial purposes or for use
in commercial advertising except with the written permission
of the director.
It) UTILITIES:
(1) The location, construction or erection of any sewer,
gas pipe, water pipe, hydrant, lamp post, telephone and
electric power post, conduit, pump, lift station and other
utility feature proposed in any open space site shall be
subject to the approval of the city;
(2) No person, firm or corporation shall construct or
relocate any of these utility installations or fixtures
without the written permission of the director;
(3) Every person, firm or corporation who shall receive a
contract or permit to do work shall after such work has
commenced and until the same has been completed, isolate the
construction area by security fencing, warning lights and
signs, or other appropriate measures that will protect the
public from exposure to danger and prevent unnecessary
accidents.
Ju) LOST AND FOUND ARTICLES. Lost or mislaid articles or
money or personal property which are found in any open space
site shall be delivered or turned over to the Mounds View
Parks and Recreation Department. If the lawful owner of any
article or money deposited with the department does not
claim the same within a period of sixty (60) days, it shall
be returned to the finder upon request.
v LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES:
(1) No person shall willfully resist, refuse or fail to
comply with any order, direction or request lawfully given
by any law enforcement officer or department employee acting
under the authority of the board and in accordance with this
article.
(2) No persons shall interfere with, or in any manner
hinder any department employee or law enforcement officer
during the performance of his assigned duties; nor any
employee of a contractor or other county department engaged
in construction, repairing or caring for any open space site
or part thereof, or while in the discharge or duties
conferred by this article.
w POSTED REGULATIONS DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND GRAPHICS. No
persons shall disregard or fail to comply with any posted
regulations, directional signs and graphics, barriers or
other control devices located within any open space site or
on any parkway.
905.06 TRAFFIC RULES.
(a) No person shall drive or operate motor vehicle within
any open space site except upon roadways, parking areas,
parkways or other areas designated for such use. Disabled
vehicles may be moved off a paved area to allow for the
continued flow of traffic but the vehicle must be repaired
or removed within two (2) hours, unless other arrangements
are made with the director.
(b) No person shall operate a motor vehicle within any open
space site or on any parkway in violation of posted
regulations and directional signs; Chapter 169, Minnesota
Statutes, 1974, as amended; county or municipal traffic
ordinances, or orders or direction of law enforcement
officers or department employees.
(c) No person shall drive or operate a vehicle on or along
any roads, drives or parking lots which have been
restricted, closed or posted with appropriate signs or
barricades. The director shall have the authority to order
roads, drives or parking lots within any open space site or
any roadway closed during the process of construction,
reconstruction, or repair or when in his opinion, weather
conditions render travel unsafe or unduly destructive.
(d) No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a careless
or reckless manner or without due regard for the safety and
rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants of all other
vehicles, so as to endanger the life, liAdor property of any
other person while in lawful use of�an open space site.
(e) No person shall park, stop, or leave a vehicle in any
open space site or on any parkway or parking lot between the
hours of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., unless a permit is
obtained from the director.
(f) No person shall operate a vehicle in any open space
site or on any parkway at a speed in excess of fifteen (15)
miles per hour or in excess of posted speed limits.
(g) No persons shall operate a vehicle in any open space
site which emits excessive or irritating noise, noxious
fumes, dense smoke or other pollutants.
(h) No person shall wasp grease or change oil on any
vehicle in any open space site. All disabled vehicles shall
quickly be made operational or removed from the open space
site.
(i) No person shall park a vehicle adjacent to any curb
painted yellow in any open space site.
(j) Vehicles illegally parked, disabled or abandoned may be
towed away and impounded at the owner's expense. Said
vehicle may be sold if unclaimed after sixty (60) days to
pay towing and storage charges.
(k) No person shall drink, consume or have in his
possession an open bottle or container of an alcoholic or
intoxicating beverage in any motor vehicle when such vehicle
is in an open space site or on a parkway.
(1) Vehicles shall yield the right-of-way at all times to
pedestrians.
(m) No person shall participate in a drag race or test of
unreasonable acceleration in any open space site or on any
parkway.
(n)No person s all ause any taxi, imousine or oth r
ve zclL
'for ire to tand 'n any open space si e or any
p k fo th ur se of soli iting or tiakin, in /
panr ofiatis c regie ted or .w re married to
the sib .aid veh le, .mess lice . sed �y t e_ -city.
905.07 PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION.
.'
Regulations in this par:
(a) Violating any of the provisions of this ordinance,
shall be a misdemeanor.
(b) Any person violating any o
expelled, ejected or ousted at
site at the discretion of a law
905.08 SEPARABILITY.
f this article may be
such time from an open space
enforcement officer.
The provisions of this ordinance shall be separable, and the
invalidity of any section, paragraph, subparagraph,
subdivision or other park thereof shall not make void,
impair, invalidate or affect the remainder thereof.
905.09 ADDITIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS The director may
adopt additional rules and regulations not contrary to the
provisions of this Code governing the use and enjoyment of
parks, trails, playgrounds, lakes, ponds, streams and other
publicly owned properties which shall be prominently posted
or publicly announced in the places where they are intended
to apply. Any person who violates a rule or regulation so
posed may be excluded from the use of the park system and
may in addition be prosecuted as for a misdemeanor.
t l
•
AlwArSel
3535 VADNAIS CENTER DRIVE,200 SEH CENTER,ST PAUL,MN 55110 612 490-2000 800 325-2055
ARCHITECTURE • ENGINEERING • ENVIRONMENTAL • TRANSPORTATION
October 6, 1994 RE: Mounds View, Minnesota
Miscellaneous Water Resources Services
Review Impacts on Wetland for Propc_;Pd
Trail Crossing of a Local Ditc-.
SEH No. A-MOUND9402.00
Ms. Mary Sarrion
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Mounds View
2401 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
Dear Mary:
A site visit was performed at Silver View Park as approved per the letter agreement of
June 22, 1994. The site visit was performed to determine the feasibility of 1) installing a culvert
•at the ditch to complete a trail from Silver View Park to Silver Lake Road, and 2) providing some
runoff detention and water quality improvement behind the proposed crossing was also
determined. This letter report will first describe the results of the site visit and other background
information.
The enclosed figure shows the approximate extent of wetland between the park driveway and
Silver Lake Road. The wetland basin is semi-circular in shape and approximately 1.5 acres in
size. The basin contains emergent vegetation such as cattail and reed canary grass and willow
trees and shrubs. The basin is characterized as a Type 3 wetland, or a palustrine emergent
wetland with seasonal flooding. The wetland is drained by a ditch which drains south and east
to Silver Lake.
According to historic aerial photographs, this wetland was once a circular basin that drained to
Silver Lake via a ditch. The basin was bisected by the construction of Silver Lake Road and the
ditch was reconstructed. The construction of the roadway not only changed the shape of the
wetland into two semi-circles, but also changed the character of the basin. The historical photos
show an basin of open water surrounded by a narrow fringe of emergent vegetation. Today the
western half of the basin is essentially a monoculture of cattails. The eastern half of the basin
is a mixture of cattails and other emergents plants and willow trees and shrubs. The existing
vegetation of the two halves of the basin is indicative of a drier environment than that prior to
the roadway construction.
The wetland habitat at the location of the proposed trail crossing is essentially limited to the
bottom of the ditch itself. There should be no significant difficulties in obtaining approval for
• the construction of the trail crossing and culvert placement.
There will be several agencies to contact with regard to potential wetland impacts, but no
permits or mitigation should be required. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has
SHORT ELLIOTT
HENDRICKSON INC. MINNEAPOLIS,MN ST CLOUD,MN CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI MADISON, WI
Ms. Mary Sarrion •
October 6, 1994
Page 2
jurisdiction over Silver Lake to the Ordinary High Water elevation. The proposed culvert
crossing is likely above the elevation of regulatory jurisdiction, but a letter of the intent to do the
proposed project should be provided to the MDNR Division of Waters.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Rice Creek Watershed District have regulatory
jurisdiction over the wetland habitat of the ditch. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404
Nationwide Permit Number 26 allows filling of up to 0.5 acre of wetland. There is technically
no need for a permit request, but a letter requesting approval under the Nationwide Permit
program should be sent to the Regulatory Branch of the St. Paul District Corps of Engineers.
The Rice Creek Watershed District is implementing the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991
(WCA). The WCA includes an exemption from wetland replacement for projects filling less than
400 square feet of wetland habitat. A letter describing the proposed project and a request for
Exemption Number 25.
There appears to be sufficient capacity in the existing ditch to allow an increase in the elevation
of the outlet at the proposed trail crossing. There is also upland available to be excavated to
provide additional storage volume if desired. Raising the outlet at the trail crossing will likely •
back water up into the existing wetland basin.
It is recommended that the Rice Creek Watershed District be approached with regard to the
restoration of the existing Type 3 wetland basin back to the Type 4 basin it was prior to the
construction of Silver Lake Road. A wetland restoration project would allow the construction
of the trail crossing and an increase in the elevation of the ditch outlet while providing the City
with wetland banking credits that could be used as mitigation credit on other City projects
having wetland impacts. Improvement of the wetland basin will also be an aesthetic addition
to Silver View Park.
Additional study will be required to determine the amount of wetland that currently exists, the
amount of water that could be expected to back up into the wetland basin, and the type and area
of wetland that would likely result from the change in hydrology. If you have any questions
with regard to this review or would like to discuss additional work on this project, please contact
me at 490-2026.
Sincerely,
Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc.
etzii., a. /
Kelly A. Bettendorf
Scientist
tlo •
Enclosures
•
,594
3535 VADNA1S CENTER DRIVE,200 SEH CENTER,ST PAUL,MN 55110 612 490-2000 800 325-2055
ARCHITECTURE • ENGINEERING • ENVIRONMENTAL • TRANSPORTATION
December 29, 1994 RE: Mounds View,Minnesota
Miscellaneous Water Resources Services
Review Impacts on Wetland for Proposed
Trail Crossing of a Local Ditch
SEH No. A-MOUND9402.00
Ms. Mary Sarrion
Parks and Recreation Director
City of Mounds View
2401 Highway 10
Mounds View, MN 55112
Dear Mary:
We will be discussing with Mike the possibility of doing your culvert project as part of the sidewalk
on Silver View Road. A proposal will be submitted to Council in January that will authorize us to
• do a detailed feasibility study on your project,as well as the sidewalk and sediment pond upstream
of the culvert cross.
I did,however,complete the information you requested. Enclosed is a letter from Kelly Bettendorf
discussing the wetland impacts of your project. The cost to install the culvert is estimated to be
$3,000 to$4,000,plus $5,000 to $10,000 for engineering, plans and specifications,bidding services
and permits. You, thus, should budget $7,500 to $15,000 to install to culvert. I can prepare a
detailed estimate if you wish to pursue installation.
Once the details are worked out, I feel that the total project cost will be closer to the $7,500 range.
I recommend that if the Council does not authorize a detailed feasibility study as part of the
sidewalk project,we get together and finalize the crossing width, size, etc. so I can get you a more
detailed cost estimate.
Sorry for the delay in getting you this information. If you have any questions, pleased call me at
490-2026. (I will be out the first week of January.)
Sincerely,
Rocky J. Keehn
• tlo
Enclosure
SHORT ELLIOTT
HENDRICKSON INC. MINNEAPOLIS.MN ST CLOUD,MN CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI MADISON, WI
"I ,
MOUNDS
7� "FRIENDS OF THE
. VIEW i Co.Rd.I zz Q
10 1 Tres F TCAAP"
Co. Rd.H 4 i Vf $
a \. AT'Sfa'taI-
m • co.Rd.C 'DEDICATED TO PRESERVING OPEN SPACES AT THE TWIN C/TIES
o, i ARMY AMMUN/T/ONPLANT'
',' il_ ___=� < SHORE WINTER 1995
. VIEW
'WELCOME BACK! ! phone calls and letter at home (it's part of the job).
Following are committee representatives and the consti-
tuency they represent: Dorothy McClung - Arden
Hills citizens, Frank Blasiak - Moundsview citi-
WELCOME TO THE WINTER 1995 ISSUE OF zens, George Gregori- New Brighton citizens,
"FRIENDS"!! Jan Haeberlin - Shoreview citizens, Terry Nagle
This newsletter is produced with your donations to keep -business, LeEtta Flicker - economic readjust-
you and your neighbors informed about happenings at ment, Nancy Nagler-homeless providers, James
the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP). Holte-labor, Craig Andresen -environment, Paul
• Because of the invaluable assets the TCAAP presents Donley - school district 621, Thomas Ryan -MN
to our community, and because the Army is proposing National Guard, John Hustad -State of MN, Dick
to "excess" the property in the near future, your Wedell (Chair) - Ramsey county, Dennis Probst -
involvement is essential to ensure citizen/resident inter- City of Arden Hills, Diane Wuori - City of
ests are addressed. We hope this newsletter will keep Moundsview, Marsha Soucheray - City of Shore-
up your interest, knowledge and involvement!! view, Matt Fulton- City of New Brighton, Molly
Grove -Rep. Vento's office, Sara Stoesz -Sen.
Wellstone's office, and Jim Dommel - Sen.
Durenberger's office. Questions about this commit-
REP. VENTO CONVENES tee or a schedule for its meeting dates can be obtained
REUTILIZATION COMMI'I"I'EE by calling 22 s. Molly} Grove at Rep. Vento's office
(phone =As noted in the previous newsletter, Congressman
Bruce Vento has established a TCAAP Reutilization
Committee to make recommendations for re-use of the NEW MEMBERS OF
TCAAP site. The committee meets once a month at the
TCAAP, and meetings are generally open to the public "FRIENDS"
(next meeting is Sat., Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to noon in
Building 105). To date, the committee has mostly dealt The people listed below, your friends and neighbors,
with organizational issues and a general introduction to have become the newest members of "Friends of the
the TCAAP facility and the de-commissioning process. TCAAP". Members of "Friends" recieve this newsletter
Over the next 9 months they should develop and refine and other pertinent alerts relative to happenings at the
a plan for re-use. Proposals Rep. Vento has received to TCAAP (e.g., walks, meetings, etc.). If you have not
date for use of the property (besides open space) already done so, please consider joining them by
include: housing for homeless people, baseball fields, sending a donation of $5 (or more!) to help us pay for
county/city maintenance facility, Arden Hills city hall, ski printing and mailing costs for a year. Please send your
• jump, businesses, expansion of driver's training facility, donation (payable to POSE) to: Tom Landwehr, 5610
road improvements, shooting ranges and schools. Albert St., Shoreview, MN 55126. Thanks to all current
and future "Friends"!
Committee members need to hear from you so
that your concerns are addressed; they expect Bert & Mary Larson, Bob & Phyllis Schutta, David
FRIENDS OF THE TCAAP NEWSLETTER-, WINTER 1995 PAGE 1
Wandrei, Dean & Jane Holmes, Earl Okerstrom, birds. Twenty-four species were found to use the
Grace W. Gray, Janice & Michael Weum, Jim TCAAP over winter.
Kotila, John Henrickson, Joy & Harland Sievert, Finally, twenty-two species of mammals were observ110
Margaret Prodhomme, Mike Kluthe, Phil Bur- at the TCAAP, including: masked shrew, arctic shrew,
feind, Richard & Kay Trapp, Ross Sutton, Sharon short tailed shrew, eastern cottontail, white-tailed jack
Moenkhaus, Tom Dunnwald, Tom & Sue rabbit, thirteen- lined ground squirrel, gray squirrel, fox
McCarthy, and William Gilbertson. squirrel, plains q , pocket gopher, beaver, white-footed
Thanks to all for your support!!! mouse, southern red- backed vole, meadow vole,
muskrat, meadow jumping mouse, red fox, raccoon,
NATURAL RESOURCES OF mink, badger, striped skunk and white-tailed deer.
THE TCAAP Another 32 species were known to occur locally, and
were suspected of being resident on the TCAAP.
Unless you are one of the few lucky individuals to have While the study was not an exhaustive inventory, and
extensively toured the TCAAP site, you may not be hence likely missed the more rare species, several
aware of the tremendously rich diversity and abun- findings were noteworthy. The presence of native
dance of natural resources found within the complex. In prairie in Ramsey county is extraordinary; most natural
the early 1980's, the Army contracted with the prairies have been destroyed by development. The few
University of Minnesota to produce a comprehensive remaining tracts deserve high protection. Blanding's
wildlife management plan for the TCAAP. The resultant turtle is a state-listed species of special concern, but
plan provided a fairly thorough inventory of vegetative are found regularly on the TCAAP. Several other
communities and wildlife species found on the site, and species of amphibian and reptile found on the TCAAP
made recommendations to preserve these resources. are rare elsewhere in the metro area. Similarly, several
bird species are unusual, including: common loon
Of the 2400 acres total within the TCAAP, the plan (found nesting in 1994), American bittern, trumpeter
found that some 1660 acres were in natural cover: swan (reintroduced in 1993), red-tailed hawk (first
roughly 300 acres of forestlands, 200 acres of parkland/ nesting record for Ramsey county), black tern (state
savannah, 100 acres of brushlands, 400 acres of listed species of special concern), bobolinks ad&
wetlands, and 600 acres of grasslands/fields. Another meadowlarks (both rare in Ramsey county). Finally,
660 acres were identified as "developed" (buildings, the mammals, white-tailed jackrabbits are not likely
etc.) and 80 acres was occupied by the gravel pit. The found anywhere else in Ramsey county (or perhaps the
plan noted that forests often contained mature trees metro area); the white-tailed deer herd is an enjoyment
such as oak and elm, and that the grasslands to many local residents.
contained good remnant prairie tracts. Both of these
plant communities are increasing rare in the metro area. This winter, a northern shrike has been observed
several times, and a bald eagle has been spotted
The plan identified a rich assemblage of animal species near the gravel pit, apparently taking advantage of the
on the TCAAP. Six amphibian species were caught on open water.
the TCAAP, including: wood frog, striped chorus frog,
northern leopard frog, green frog, American toad, and Each of these resources is in itself worthy of note and
tiger salamander. Five reptile species were caught, preservation. Taken as a whole, and because they are
including: garter snake, red- bellied snake, northern found on the last tract of undeveloped land in the metro
prairie skink, painted turtle and Blanding's turtle. area, these constitute a remarkable last chance to
Thirteen other species of amphibian and reptile have Preserve some biological diversity for the region. We
ranges overlapping the TCAAP, and were suspected of need to carefully consider these resources when
occurring there (2 have subsequently been observed, developing a re-use plan, and preserve as much of
snapping turtle and hognose snake). them as possible for future generations.
Over fifty species of birds were found to breed on the
TCAAP, the most common Included: red-winged black-
bird, common yellowthroat, starling, American robin, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
gray catbird, meadowlark, American goldfinch, clay-
colored sparrow, song sparrow, blue jay, eastern DEVELOP RE-USE PLAN
kingbird, tree swallow, yellow warbler, Brewer's black-
A coalition of environmental groups has developed a
bird, Canada goose, mallard, blue- winged teal, wood proposal for re-use of the TCAAP for submission to R
duck, black tern, sora rail, green heron and American Vento's TCAAP Reutilization Committee. The coalitio
bittern. Some additional 30 species are known to occur comprised of Audubon, Sierra Club, lzaak Walton
in the vicinity, and were considered potential breeding
FRIENDS OF THE TCAAP NEWSLETTER. WINTER 1995 PAGE 2
League and Preserve Open Space Environments MORE WOES FOR TCAAP'S
• (POSE), recommended much of the TCAAP be preser-
ved as open space/parkland. The plan divided the BLANDING'S TURTLES?
TCAAP into 11 areas of similar character, and assigned
a land-use classification to each, ranging from low to County Road I west of Highway 49 has a reputation of
high intensity use. Copies of the plan are available from being one of the worst roads in Ramsey County, and is
Tom Landwehr, 5610 Albert St., Shoreview, MN 55126. sorely in need of repair. The Ramsey County Highway
"Friends" are encouraged to support this plan to their Department has recently gotten the green light to repair
Reutilization Committee representative (see earlier arti- the segment from Highway 49 to Lexington, beginning
cle). next summer. During early planning phases, the
department considered 3 alternatives to reroute the
Several members of the coalition have proposed that segment between Lexington and Hamline, in an effort to
the park be named 'Veteran's Memorial Park'. In remove one or more of the 90 degree turns (roads with
converting the machines of war to a perpetual monu- turns give highway engineers the willies). The City of
ment of peace, it seems fitting to recognize those Shoreview recently decided to review an earlier appro-
millions of men and women who laid their lives on the val to reroute the segment along a straight alignment.
line for their country. Let's preserve a piece of it for This alignment would fill almost 2.5 acres of wetlands,
their descendents!! and would pose great hazards to Blanding's turtles
resident on the TCAAP.
POSSIBLE CROSS COUNTRY The north end of Marsden Marsh has numerous records
SKI WEEK AT TCAAP of Blanding's turtle observations by DNR and other
biologists. It is one of the best areas in the north metro
A representative from POSE has spoken with the for these state-listed threatened species. Straightening
TCAAP staff about opening part of the complex for County Road I would seriously jeopardize their con-
cross country skiing. TCAAP staff have •approved the tinued existence in Marsden Marsn by filling valuable
idea, if we can get enough volunteer support to groom habitat, and by increasing the likelihood of turtles
trails and monitor users. Tentatively, we would like to getting squashed by cars on County Road I. A
have open skiing somewhere around 10-20 February straightened road will mean more cars and higher
(possibly several days and evenings; coincides with the speeds - no match for the slow turtle, which moves up
full moon). At present, we need all kinds of volunteers to a mile in summer to nest.
for planning and implementing the event. If you would
like to volunteer, please contact Tom Landwehr at In 1994, the Shoreview City Council voted to reject the
784-9215. If the event can be pulled off, a mailer will be rerouting proposal and opt for a resurfacing only an
sent to all "Friends" and local media will be notified. alternative that would save hundreds of thousands of
dollars, and keep road speeds down. The county.
however, is continuing to negotiate for a right of way
SECOND NATURE WALK A
from the army along the straight alignment. They are
HUGE SUCCESS! ! ! hoping that a major repair of County I between
Lexington and 1-35 will include a straightening of the
You may remember the second-ever family nature walk road. Your county commissioner and city council need
was held on 8 & 9 October, 1994. Attendance was to hear from you that this is not in the best interest of
outstanding, with over 1,600 people walking through residents, taxpayers or turtles!!
the gates (versus 1;250 last year). The weather
cooperated nicely, and we again had lots of positive
feedback.
A great amount of thanks for the walk is due to Joe
Lampe, POSE volunteer, who spent many personal
hours and dollars to make the event work. Because of This Newsletter is published quarterly by Friends ofl
the difficulty in finding volunteers to oversee the walk, the TCAAP, an unorganized group of citizens dedica-j
he spent an indordinate amount of time doing it himself. ted to preserving open space on the Twin Cities Army'
We had many other volunteers helping, as well, but mmunition Plant. Annual subscription rate is $5. To
were still short of the ideal number. We may try to hold ubscribe, send $5.00 payable to POSE to Tom
• another walk this spring, but unless we have enough Landwehr, 5610 Albert St., Shoreview, MN 55126.
volunteers to staff the event, we may have to pass.
We'll keep our fingers crossed and put out the tali Relevant and compatible articles are appreciated.
when the time comes! end to Tom Landwehr. Editor. at the above address. i
i
FRIENDS OF THE TCAAP NEWSLETTER. WINTER 1995 PAGE 3
— 4
, ,emu L !yN
Tom Landwehr "' '� 1
r,
5610 Albert St. 995 --�...'"" "t� _1�—
Shoreview, MN 55126 For U...a.aretseso,,,� '
CIS V • Ps AT f'
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\ I. ! 1 County Park
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TCAAP IS KEY TRACT IN
REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEM Preserving and developing the TCAAP as a park and
trail would create an extraordinary corridor for wildlife
Ramsey county is one of the most poor in open space and recreationists. With the addition of the pending
per capita, according to the Metropolitan Council. The trail, a biker or hiker could wander from the Mississippi
TCAAP presents an unprecedented opportunity to River almost to Centerville - a beautiful and wonderful
remedy this situation, and is a reason many groups trip. Additionally, you could canoe that same distance
support preserving the TCAAP as open space (see the along Rice Creek a relatively undisturbed and natural
draft land use plan). A key feature of the TCAAP is its little river. This would be a major asset for the region.
location relative to other open space parks and trails. and would doubtless be one of the crown jewels in t"
As you can see on the map below, the TCAAP sits north metro recreational/open space system. Let's g•
directly between the Long Lake park and the Rice this land preserved!!!
Creek Chain of Lakes park.
FRIENDS OF THE TCAAP NEWSLETTER, WINTER 1995 PAGE 4
Meeting announcement*
Review plans for developingVadnais/Sucker Lake
Wednesday,January 25, 6:30 to 9:00 PM
and
Thursday, February 9, 6:30 to 9:00 PM
Conference Room,Burnet Realty Building I-35E &Highway96
Call 698-4543 for details
*NIMBY*will likely attend so the presence of Friends is very important!
*Not in my back yard.
SMOREUNE
_ 1—f�1N,N4 Agreement to create park
1---_A I Expanded recreational use of the 640 acre Water Utility
-' Z�� around Sucker and Vadnais Lakes is the likely
a';.�, ,,;� property Y
a r; outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding recently
signed by Ramsey County and the St.Paul Water Utility.
1' \` P \P The Memorandum is the first stepin a lengthyprocess
J.i ncNw
.4.t \
SWIMWM4
ti llh7 L [:''r including public review,planning and implementation.
_• ::-.\- j �e Sucker and Vadnais lakes are reservoirs for the St.Paul
c 3\`� water system. The land surrounding the lakes is managed to
�� ;'1�''� // � ,., 1 protect the water reservoir and any additional use must
-�! P � �-�'. _ :: / c �61 continue the highest level of protection for the water supply.
��III priATUIRL , _ E` Historically,the St.Paul Water Utility has allowed some
.• i
���,� � ;,�� public use including picnicking,hiking and fishing on the
� .. east shore of Sucker Lake and the area between the
',yt.
` , two Vadnais lakes.
�)'
I ' , The Metropolitan Regional Recreation Open Space
' /" —' System was established by the 1974 Legislature to
‘ WOW Val
►I preserve significant natural and recreational
x'�7',"- i resources within the metropolitan area. The
Sucker/Vadnais lakes area,recognized for the high
quality forest and lake resources,was included as a
• a ® -- .- .. future regional park with Ramsey County desig-
SNAII-VADNAIS REGIONAL PARK nated the implementing agency.
LEGEND
-
P►s.V-W4.Y
w'w„�71.gSS The concept plan outlined in the Memorandum
N�1•.N14�(FO CGUN�(SW\N4zw.,l. P
P ** identifies hiking,cross-country skiing and bicycling
trails (including access to the east shore of Sucker
and Vadnais lakes)improved fishing access,expanded and improved picnic facilities and parking for year-round
access. All expanded public use will be managed to assure there is no degradation of the water resources.
Public information meetings on the concept plan will be Wednesday,January 25,and Thursday,February 9 from
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the conference room,Burnet Realty Building,I-35E and Highway 96.The Friends need to
make their voices heard,given the significance of this regional resource. With most land in Ramsey county being
highly developed,creation of a"new"park of this magnitude is likely a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. You can
support the wise development of this resource by attending these informational meetings,staying informed about
the process and expressing your support through letters to the editor and to public officials.
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•
•
•
RF.UTILIZATION PLAN FOR THE TWIN CITIES
ARMY AMMUNITION PLANT
DEVELOPED JOINTLY BY:
AUDUBON SOCIETY, MINNESOTA AUDUBON COUNCIL
IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE, AGASSIZ CHAPTER
PRESERVE OPEN SPACE ENVIRONMENT
SIERRA CLUB, NORTH STAR CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION Because of the location and size of the site, as well as its
tremendous natural resources, many parties have
The Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP), located expressed an interest in acquiring all or part of the area.
in northwestern Ramsey county, is almost 4 square miles Public meetings to discuss reutilization of the TCAAP
of land (2,340 acres) owned by the federal government. It have demonstrated a strong citizen preference to main-
was purchased by the Army from private landowners in fain all or most of the TCAAP as open space parkland.
the early 1940's for use as a munitions production facility.
Prior to then, the land was used primarily for low-intensity To facilitate this effort and to begin discussions on
farming -mostly pasture and some cropping. During peak appropriate land use on a decommissioned TCAAP,
• munitions production, the Army developed over 300 representatives from four conservation groups jointly
buildings, miles of intersecting roadways, an elaborate developed this plan for reutilization of the TCAAP. The
heating system, several firing ranges, railroad spurs, and four groups were: Minnesota Audubon Council, Sierra
extensive fencing. Even with this development, however, Club North Star Chapter, lzaak Walton League Agassiz
substantial acreage remained virtually untouched in Chapter and Preserve Open Space Environment. Many
natural vegetation. thanks are due to the representatives who used their
Early surveyor's notes indicate that the presettlement extensive knowledge of the TCAAP and gave their time to
vegetation of the TCAAP was oak savannah (DNR Files) - develop this plan.
a distinctive plant community of the Anoka Sand Plain. HOW THIS PLAN WAS DEVELOPED
The presence of one large and several small marshes Representatives of the above four organizations toured
was also noted. Ramsey county's highest point - the top the TCAAP, studied available maps and plans, and met
of Reservoir Hill in the center of TCAAP - is an ice age on several occasions to discuss land use options for the
relict known geologically as a kame. The hill was formed TCAAP. A guiding principle of the group was that a
by meltwater rushing through a fissure in the retreating significant proportion of the TCAAP should be devoted to
glacier. The meltwater carried vast amounts of geologic till open space or outdoor recreation uses. Substantial
(sand and gravel) that accumulated to form the unique justification for this principle is provided in the next
hills of the TCAAP. section.
The discovery in the early 1980's of extensive groundwa- To facilitate planning discussions and provide justification
ter pollution resulting from inadequate disposal of toxic for resultant recommendations, the TCAAP was divided
materials has led to a massive pollution cleanup effort on into 11 tracts (Figure 1). The tracts were selected
the TCAAP. While most pollution is in the groundwater, because they demonstrated similar environmental charac-
numerous surface sites have been identified for cleanup, teristics or levels of disturbance.
and are underway. Similarly, efforts are also underway to
remove lead and unexploded ordnance from the entire Based on the natural resources in each tract and the
area. Experts believe it could be 20 years or more before impact disturbance has had on these resources, each
• all cleanup is finished. tract was assigned one of three land use categories:
Recently, the Army has initiated discussions to dispose of A. Low intensity recreation/habitat preservation:
the TCAAP site - that is, give or sell it to another owner. acceptable recreational developments include: unpaved
PAGE 1
TCAAP REUTILIZATION PLAN
trails designed for low density uses such as hiking, were interested in walking in nature areas (Met. Co.
cross-country skiing, bird-watching; restoration and main- 1987). Further, 40% of residents desired more open
tenance of natural plant and animal communities; primi- space parks while 9% wanted more facilities-based parks
tive canoe facilites; and research opportunities. Most (e.g., baltfields, playgrounds, skating rinks). Most
existing roads and buildings should be removed. recently, in November 1994, 85% of Ramsey county
B. Moderate intensity recreation/habitat resto- voters approved a charter amendment calling for 'no net
ration: acceptable recreational developments include: loss of open space in the county a mandate by any
paved trails for high density uses, such as running,
measure.
skating, biking; and outdoor educational facilities includ- 3. In his winter 1994 "Keeping In Touch" newsletter,
ing nature centers. Excess roads and buildings should Congressman Bruce Vento noted the value of parks in
be removed. reducing juvenile crime:
C. High intensity recreation/light development: "One key element to prevent crime is to expand urban
acceptable recreational developments include: athletic park and recreation opportunities. Our hearing will
fields (e.g., softball, soccer, tennis), picnic shelters, demonstrate that cities with adequate park facilities and
parking lots/trail heads, and group camps. active recreation programs have decreased rates of crime
This resultant plan has been approved by the four listed and delinquency...
organizations by resolution of the respective boards. A large park will enhance considerably the regional
Additional organizations have expressed support. quality of life, not only by providing a high-quality amenity,
but also by helping keep crime rates low.
JUSTIFICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS OPEN 4. Met Council's open space plan notes that qualities
SPACE/RECREATION AREA which make land desirable for preservation as open
space, "include such characteristics as good quality
The supporters of this plan believe that a significant lakes, rivers and streams, undulating topography, gorges,
proportion of the TCAAP should be retained as open rock outcrops, cliff areas, heavy stands of timb r,
space and recreational land for two primary purposes: to interesting clusters of wild plants and flowers, and kri
increase the amount of open space in the northcentral habitats of native birds and animals." With the exception
metro area and to preserve the significant natural of gorges, rock outcrops and cliffs, the TCAAP has all
resources found on the TCAAP. The following points these features. An agreement between the Army and
support our position. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was
1. Ramsey county has the highest population density of signed in January 1993 giving DNR authority to help
manage TCAAP lands and noted the area's "outstanding
any Minnesota county, but has the lowest per capita natural resources and associated open spaces".
amount of open space recreational land. As noted in the
Metropolitan Council's Recreation Open Space Develop- 5. A TCAAP wildlife management plan developed for the
ment Guide/Policy Plan (Met. Council 1991), "Past [out- Army (Landwehr 1986) documented the high value of
door recreation area] acquisition ... has produced a natural resources on the property and made the following
regional system that contains a certain amount of recommendation:
geographic imbalance that favors the west and southwest "Pursue the possibility of designating the undeveloped
portions of the Metropolitan Area... According to that area of the TCAAP as a permanent wildlife refuge or
document, Ramsey county had less than 5,700 acres of natural area. The undeveloped areas of the TCAAP are an
recreation open space for some 450,000 residents (550 invaluable and irreplaceable resource. Loss of this asset
square feet per resident, or a square 23 feet on a side). due to pressures from local governments, developers, or
Just one park in Hennepin county, Elm Creek, has over the federal government would be extremely short-sighted
4,800 acres. Clearly, more open space is needed in the and detrimental to the quality of life throughout the area
northcentral metro area, but very little available land Designation should be sought at the federal, state, or
exists. The TCAAP presents the last best opportunity to county level to preserve this area as a wildlife sanctuary,
meet this need; Ramsey county open space would be whatever the fate of the munitions production facility."
increased by over 30%.
6. Designating a large portion of the TCAAP as open
2. Citizens are demanding more open space facilities, as space (i.e., more than 1,000 acres) fits the Met Council's
was demonstrated at TCAAP reutilization meetings and is recommendation for a regional park reserve (Met. Cc1il
evidenced by bond referendums in adjacent suburbs 1991). The TCAAP is in their landscape designation c i ed
such as Maplewood. A 1983 survey by Met Council on "terminal moraine", one of eight landscapes in which they
leisure interests of metro residents found 78% of residents recommend selecting park reserve areas. The document
TCAAP REUTILIZATION PLAN PAGE 2
444
also recommends, "To establish and maintain an uncom- contains irreplaceable remnant prairie potholes (small
promised sense of nature, at least 80 percent of each wetlands) that have been largely undisturbed. The pot-
park reserve should be managed as wild lands that holes are known habitats for the Blanding's turtle, a
display native landscape. This would permit up to 20 state-listed special concern species, and numerous other
percent of a park reserve to be developed for compatible amphibians.
recreational activities." We strongly advocate this policy 4. Marsden Lake Complex: low intensity use. The
for the TCAAP that 80% be retained as natural open almost 500-acre Marsden Lake dominates this tract, and
space. is one of the largest wetlands in Ramsey county. It
7. The presence of subsurface pollution makes develop- provides essential habitat for the Blanding's turtle, intro-
ment dangerous or undesirable. Open space uses pose duced trumpeter swans, and numerous other wetland
little or no threat to the public, with measures that have wildlife. Sunfish Lake, a tributary waterbody, has high
already been taken. aesthetic values, has been documented to harbor black
8. Preserving wildlife habitat along the Rice Creek corridor terns (a species of special concern) as well as numerous
is essential for wildlife migrations and maintenance of ducks and geese, is a DNR rearing pond, and provides a
local biological diversity. Similarly, preserving habitats valuable component to the wetland complex. The tract
outside the corridor will preserve biological diversity and has been used for years as an Army Reserve training
maintain a 'snapshot' of the northcentral metro's preset- area, and does not appear to have been severely
tlement natural history. A block of land this size makes it impacted by this use.
feasible to preserve a functioning ecosystem. 5. Gravel Pit Hill: low intensity use. Although this tract
has been dramatically altered by gravel extraction, there
9. The site offers unprecedented opportunities for an are numerous valuable resources. Several good-quality
environmental education center, especially considering its remnant prairie tracts remain on the northwest and east
vast natural resources and its proximity to the urban slopes of the hill, harboring key prairie indicator plants.
metro area. Mature oak woods are found on several sites, and provide
valuable wintering habitat for the large deer herd present
•LAND USE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TCAAP on the TCAAP. The unreclaimed pit may present oppor
tunities for disposal of clean fill or specific recreational
As discussed previously, 11 tracts comprising the TCAAP activities (e.g., mountain biking).
were evaluated for their resources and compatible open 6. Magazine Road: moderate intensity use. As does
space/recreational uses. The 11 tracts, and recommen tract 2, this area provides a valuable connection to the
ded land use classifications are discussed below (num Rice Creek corridor and provides a needed buffer
bers correspond to those in Figure 1). between natural areas and the highly developed areas in
1. Rice Creek Corridor: moderate intensity use. tract 11. The area contains high-quality mature oak
Rice Creek, adjacent riparian wetlands, and associated woods, existing and restorable wetlands, and provides
uplands are included in this tract. It is a crucial tract for water quality improvements for Rice Creek.
completing the proposed Rice Creek Chain of Lakes trail 7. Meadowlark Breeding Grounds: high intensity
(already partially completed) and could provide excellent use. A relatively small field in this tract provides habitat
canoeing opportunities. It provides exceptional wildlife for the largest breeding population of meadowlarks
habitat and is a vital component of a wildlife corridor that known in Ramsey county (J. Galli, DNR, pers. commun.);
extends from the TCAAP to the DNR's Carlos Avery substantial numbers of bobolinks also nest here. Any use
Wildlife Management Area in Anoka county. Some high should protect these colonies. The tract also contains a
intensity uses may be acceptable on more disturbed sites railroad spur that could ulimately connect TCAAP open
on the west side of this tract (e.g., ball fields). spaces with Long Lake Regional Park (along with tract
2. Indoor Range Area: moderate intensity use. This 10). Finally, it provides a buffer area between natural
tract is essential as a connecting tract between the Rice areas and highly developed lands.
Creek corridor and other natural areas to the east. It is a 8. Reservoir Hill: low intensity use. At 1100 feet mean
good site for permanent recreational facilities (e.g., park sea level, this is reported to be the highest point in
headquarters, trailhead, parking, etc.) and is a good north Ramsey county, and offers an outstanding vista. It is an
entry area. There is a possible drained wetland in this outstanding example of a glacial kame, and contains
tract that could probably be restored. Because of high large stands of mature oak woods. These provide
•disturbance in this area, some high intensity uses could wintering habitat for deer, as well as breeding habitat for
be considered (as noted above). numerous other species.
3. Prairie Potholes: low intensity use. This tract
PAGE 3
TCAAP REUTILIZATION PLAN
9. Hamline Avenue Access: moderate intensity use. has voiced support for DNR ownership). Recognizing that
This tract offers an excellent trailhead to the natural areas funding for development and operation is a major
to the north because of the existing roadway and parking obstacle, special appropriations should be sought fro
lots. The area has both restorable prairie and wetland, the Legislature (especially through the Legislative Con.
and provides a valuable buffer between natural areas and mission on Minnesota Resources). A master plan must
developed lands. ultimately be developed that should incorporate the
recommendations set forth in this plan.
10. Trail Link: moderate intensity use. This tract
includes the railroad spur which could, with acquisition of
rail lands to the southwest, provide a trail connection BIBLIOGRAPHY
between Long Lake Regional Park and the TCAAP. Landwehr, T. J. 1986. A comprehensive wildlife manage-
11. Highly Developed Area: high intensity use. The ment plan for the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant. M.S.
bulk of development on TCAAP has occurred in this tract. Thesis, Univ. Minn. 140 pp.
Very little to no natural habitat remains. Existing buildings
should be investigated for continued uses (e.g., indoor Metropolitan Council. 1987. The future of the regional
shooting ranges, hockey rink, environmental education park system in the Twin Cities area. Publication no.
center, park facilities, or county/city public works facili 580 87 096. 9 pp.
ties). Any proposed commercial/industrial/residential Metropolitan Council. 1991. Recreation open space:
development should be contained to this area. development guide/policy plan. Publication no. 580-
91-051. 73 pp.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the TCAAP property be owned
and managed by the DNR as a recreation area or as a
Regional Park Reserve (DNR Commissioner Rod Sando
a
In addition to the 4 organizations that were actively involved in developing this plan, the following organizations have
endorsed the plan by resolution of their governing board as of 20 December 1994:
Minnesota Zoological Society
St. Paul Chapter, Sierra Club
Minnesota Herpetological Society
If your organization would like more information about the TCAAP or this plan, or would like to add your organization's
name to this list of supporters, please contact:
Tom Landwehr
5610 Albert St.
Shoreview, MN 55126
•
TCAAP REUTILIZATION PLAN PAGE 4
•
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• Figure 1. Tract numbers and recommended land uses for TCAAP open space/recreational
land use plan (horizontal hatching = low intensity, vertical hatching = moderate intensity, no
hatching = high intensity); see text for complete description.
TCAAP REUTILIZATION PLAN _ PAGE 5