PRECM 03-06-1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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cr,~p~ 6 Community Facilities ~ Long Lake Park The Long Lake Park site. is a 109 acre area immediately east of Long Lake and west of the Minnesota Transfer Railway tracks. The land is primarily upland with well-drained; light, - sandy soils. Most of the land has been formed or adversely impacted in other ways by excavation, buildings, industrial use and most recently by vandalism and off-the-road vehicles... The primary objectives in development of this site will have to be restoration of the land and carefully designed and con- structed facilities that will enhance the enjoyment of the natural environment. Ramsey County owns approximately 86 acres located be- tween the railroad tracks and Old Highway 8. This site alsa has same of the same problems and development constraints as the Long Lake site. - The two parcels are currently included in the Regional Park System and have been jointly planned as such. This planning has been done by Ramsey County under a joint powers agreement with the City. There has been considerable discussion regarding the possibility of the City operating the park as a city park. This option has not been precluded by the City's action to -date and, in fact, was the City's intention when the site was arigi- Wally purchased. If the City were to choose this aptian, there would likely be considerably less intensive development than than for that of a regional park. A major area of contention regarding development in this park has been use of the lake and the lake shore. The issue is one of attempting to balance the rights of homeowners on the lake with those of others desiring to use the lake for recre- ational purposes. This issue will be equally difficult to resolve regardless whether the park is developed as a regional ar local facility. Some minimal development will occur in 19$2 with more extensive development likely to begin in 19$3. County-and Regional Parks The City has, within an eight mile radius, over 5,000 acres of county and regional facilities. These parks are located in Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. These, .parks empha- size swimming, picnicking, trails, etc. rather than the athletic, £acilities and playgrounds typically found in municipal systems. Access to these parks is typically by automobile although the Rice Creek Regional trail will link some of them, for biking, hiking and cross country skiers.: