2017.12.20 Parks Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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136PARKS , TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE DRAFT Dec14-17 for review only DRAFT Dec14-17 for review only 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� 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