PRECA 02-03-1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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DETERMINATION OF NEEDS ~'~~ The application of nationally accepted .standards for park and recreation facilities to New Brighton's open space system will give a basis for decisions to be made regarding future acquisition and development. It should be noted that these standards are more .guidelines than'standards. Chanyes in the demographics of community and socio-economic changes such as energy shortages and changing patterns of leisure-time activities further erode the credibility of these standards. National Facilities Standard Existing Open Space Acreage 236 acres 525 acres Baseball Diamonds 1 per 6,000 2 existing population or 4 diamonds Softball Diatr~onds 1 per 1, 500 25 existing population or 16 diamonds Tennis Courts 1 per 2,000 21 existing population or 12 courts Skating Facilities - No developed standards, however, in- formation received from the youth hockey association and observations of use in- dicate that New Brighton has adequate areas for both hockey and free skating. In summary, the City has adequate open space provided, athletic areas are in good supply although the numbers are slightly misleading, for instance tennis courts at Irondale are in poor condition and some school and park ball fields are very small or marginally de- veloped. Use and resident interest statistics from nearby communi- ties and national trends indicate a shift from team sports to in- dividualized activities especially for adults with a heavy demand for trail related activities such as biking, hiking and cross country skiing. The City presently has no trails but has an extensive system planned for Hansen Park and potentially for Long Lake Park. Ramsey County ,.also has a trail planned for the Rice Creek Corridor heading both north and west £rom Long Zake. Upon completion of these trails and with provision of cross country ski trails at Brightwood Hills Golf Course and at Long Lake Park,. the City will have provided nearly all the trails its facilities can allow.