See St. Paul meeting at bottom.
Elizabeth Dickinson
West Side
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 01:44:30 -0000
From: "Todd Graham" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Metro Regional Parks Plan: Informational mtgs set for March
Metropolitan Council Updates Regional Parks Plan
Informational meetings set for March, with public hearing in April
PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
Wednesday, March 2, noon � 1 p.m.
Association of Metropolitan Municipalities
145 University Ave., St. Paul
Tuesday, March 15, 4 � 5 p.m.
Burnsville City Hall
100 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville
Tuesday, March 22, 7 � 8 p.m.
C.E. French Regional Park Visitors Center
12605 County Rd. 9, Plymouth
ST. PAUL � Feb. 23, 2005 �
The Metropolitan Council's Draft 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan
proposes to expand and improve upon the region's vast network of
parks and trails, identifying and preserving some of the last best
natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities in the
region for future generations.
To get public comment on the draft, the Council will hold a series
of public information meetings in March and an April public hearing
on updated policies to guide regional decision making on the
regional parks system in the Twin Cities metro area.
Since the regional parks system was established in 1974, the Council
has invested $367 million toward helping the 10 regional park
agencies implementing acquire and develop parks and trails. Today
the system includes:
* 52,000 acres in 47 regional parks and park reserves
* Six special recreation features, such as the Como Zoo and
Conservatory
* 22 regional trails, with 170 miles currently open to the public
* More than 30 million annual visits.
"Parks and natural areas are an important legacy we leave our
children and our children's children," said Metropolitan
Council Chair Peter Bell. "Visionaries like Sam Morgan and
Theodore Wirth set a high standard for parks and open space that are
so important to the region's quality of life. It's a standard
this Council plans to uphold and pass along to future generations."
To meet the needs of the growing region to 2030, the Council
proposes, among other additions to the park system, three new
regional parks and seven new trails. Search areas for the three new
parks include:
* Northwestern Anoka County
* Empire Township in Dakota County
* Blakeley Township in Scott County.
Search areas for the new trails are:
* Crow River in Carver and Hennepin Counties
* Dakota County, one traversing north/south, the other east/west
* Scott County
* Three Rivers Park District, three trails connecting existing
regional parks.
Beyond 2030, the Council proposes to acquire four new regional parks
and three new trails, securing the land in advance to preserve some
of the last best natural places in the region for future
generations.
Search areas for new parks after 2030 are:
* Miller Lake area in Carver County
* Minnesota River Bluff and Ravines, Carver County
* Southwestern Dakota County
* Cedar Lake area in Scott County.
Search areas for new trails after 2030 are:
* Northwestern Anoka County
* Central to south Carver County
* Minnesota River to Spring Lake Regional Park in Scott County
The policy plan also proposes a financing plan for a park system
totaling nearly 70,000 acres with funding from the Metropolitan
Council, State of Minnesota, federal government, the ten regional
park implementing agencies and public/private partnerships.
A summary and the complete text of the Draft 2030 Parks Policy Plan
will be available on the Council's web site at
www.metrocouncil.org/planning/parks/2005/ParksPlan.htm
PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for 4 � 6 p.m. on
Wednesday, April 6, at Council offices, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul.
To register in advance to speak, call 651-602-1140 or 651-602-0904
(TTY). Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. April 20, 2005.
To submit comments for the public record:
* Write the Metropolitan Council, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN
55101
* Fax to 651-602-1464
* E-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
* Call the Public Comment Line at 651.602.1500; TTY 651.291.0904
The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for
the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and
light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates
regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds
that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income
individuals and families. The 17-member Council is appointed by and
serves at the pleasure of the governor.
-------------------------------------------------
JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY:
http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/
-------------------------------------------------
POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected]
To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit:
http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address:
http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
