EDA Packet 12.19.17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

�14. i .5. A , r 4 ' i' he - mf' y; � -_ L -ice 6.-= Irish Avenue Park Irish Avenue Park is currently a passive community park. The park is largely prairie open space with several looped nature trails. The trail surface is grass/dirt/gravel and has limited improvements. Winter use includes cross country skiing. The property is accessible from a parking lot off Irish Avenue. An electric remote -control car track, maintained by volunteers and users, is available for public use near the parking area. Purchasing a large tract of land in eastern Hugo was a long-standing goal of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission. Before the City acquired the property in 2010, it was the location of a controversial gravel pit. Following cleanup of the site, the property was purchased by the City and was immediately made available for public use as a passive park. Prior to the purchase of the property, the future uses of the property as a park were outlined with residents. In the interim, the park is to be used for passive recreation including hiking, allowing off -leash dogs, horseback riding, archery hunting. In the future, facilities would be constructed to provide residents with a large variety of recreation options that include both active and passive recreation options. In a 2017 survey, Hugo residents stated that their top three preferred park amenities for Irish Avenue Park are a pool, playground, and open space. HUG 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Hanifl Fields Athletic Park/ Rice Lake Park Hanifl Fields Athletic Park is an active community park that overlooks the passive recreational areas of Rice Lake Park and Paul Hugo Farms State Wildlife Management Area. It is also near Hugo Public Works and the Rice Lake Centre community room. Facilities at the park include up to 5 full sized soccer fields, off-street parking, a large playground structure, and campfire pit. The large park building includes the Hanifl Gathering Room and concession stand which are available to rent. It also has a large outdoor covered pavilion adjacent to the building and playground. It is suitable for large gatherings and special events. A paved path wraps the park property. Rice Lake Park is located 100 yards north of the active areas of Hanifl Fields Athletic Park and Hugo Public Works. The park provides unique opportunities for passive, nature oriented recreation. The parks were formerly developed and used as private gun club prior to being purchased for a future park and Public Works Facility. Development of Hanifl Fields Athletic Park began in 2008 with construction of the soccer fields and parking areas. The shelter and playground were completed in 2010. In the future, the park should be connected by trail to residential and commercial areas in Hugo. A future phase of Hanifl Fields Athletic Park may include an outdoor ice skating rink. "'W PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE 136