Minneapolis Parks & Minneapolis Parks & Regional Trails: Regional Trails:

A nonmotorized networkA nonmotorized network

Heritage Trail along Mississippi RiverHeritage Trail along Mississippi River

Regional Government for the Regional Government for the Twin Cities areaTwin Cities area

1967- Metropolitan Council, a regional governing body is instituted, 1967- Metropolitan Council, a regional governing body is instituted, signed into law by Governor LeVander. Comprised of 17 members signed into law by Governor LeVander. Comprised of 17 members (elected from16 districts + 1 at-large) (elected from16 districts + 1 at-large)

““This Council was created to do a job which has proved too big for This Council was created to do a job which has proved too big for any single community,”any single community,” LeVander LeVander

Metropolitan Council Regional Metropolitan Council Regional Government: Government: Management of 4 Management of 4

systemssystems

Responsible for the planning and development within a Responsible for the planning and development within a 7-county area with 188 cities & townships 7-county area with 188 cities & townships + 22 special purpose districts.+ 22 special purpose districts.

Responsible for 4 systems :Responsible for 4 systems :

Regional parksRegional parks AviationAviation Transportation ( Transit-1994)Transportation ( Transit-1994) Wastewater (1994)Wastewater (1994)

Metropolitan Regional Parks: Metropolitan Regional Parks: created by legislation created by legislation

1974- Metropolitan Regional 1974- Metropolitan Regional Parks created by theParks created by theState legislatureState legislature

2007- 53,000 acres 2007- 53,000 acres (King Co- 25,000 acres)(King Co- 25,000 acres)29 regional trails (177 miles) 29 regional trails (177 miles) 49 parks & reserves49 parks & reserves6 special recreation areas6 special recreation areas

1975- 5 million visits1975- 5 million visits2007- 33 million visits2007- 33 million visits

Metropolitan Regional Parks:Metropolitan Regional Parks: Operated by 10 implementing agenciesOperated by 10 implementing agencies

Metropolitan Regional Parks

(1974)

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

(1883)

Three Rivers Park District(1957)

6 counties2 cities: St Paul &

Bloomington

City of Minneapolis City of Minneapolis A Vision for Parks A Vision for Parks

1856- City of Minneapolis incorporated1856- City of Minneapolis incorporated 1883- Board of Park Commissioners (BPC) established 1883- Board of Park Commissioners (BPC) established

by public vote, semi-autonomous 9-member body by public vote, semi-autonomous 9-member body Horace Cleveland and Frederick Law Olmsted, Horace Cleveland and Frederick Law Olmsted,

landscape architects, recommended that the park & landscape architects, recommended that the park & parkway system should capitalize on natural features.parkway system should capitalize on natural features.

80 acres purchased by BPC.80 acres purchased by BPC.

Building on the Dream:Building on the Dream:City of MinneapolisCity of Minneapolis

1969- Name change to Minneapolis Park & Recreation 1969- Name change to Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) Board (MPRB)

1970’s- Standardized design elements identify & unify 1970’s- Standardized design elements identify & unify Grand Rounds Parkway system. Grand Rounds Parkway system.

1980’s- Acquisition along Mississippi River is a priority1980’s- Acquisition along Mississippi River is a priority MPRB owns land in Minneapolis + 5 other citiesMPRB owns land in Minneapolis + 5 other cities

Minneapolis Park system: Minneapolis Park system: popular and growingpopular and growing

Minneapolis Population (2008): Minneapolis Population (2008): approx 400,000approx 400,000

Visits per year (2007)Visits per year (2007)14 million to City’s 14 million to City’s regional parksregional parks5.5 million to Chain of Lakes 5.5 million to Chain of Lakes

Park features include Park features include bike/pedestrian paths: bike/pedestrian paths: Grand Rounds -43 miles Grand Rounds -43 miles Chain of Lakes- 13.3 Chain of Lakes- 13.3 milesmiles

In 2000- Park system In 2000- Park system

awarded highest rating by awarded highest rating by the Trust for Public Landthe Trust for Public Land

Beginning of Regional Park Beginning of Regional Park Planning: Planning: Three Rivers Park DistrictThree Rivers Park District

1957-Three Rivers Park District is established by the 1957-Three Rivers Park District is established by the Minnesota State Legislature to serve suburban areas Minnesota State Legislature to serve suburban areas of the Twin citiesof the Twin cities

7-member board: 5 elected + 2 appointed7-member board: 5 elected + 2 appointed

Three Rivers Park District:Three Rivers Park District: Property Acquisition in 5 countiesProperty Acquisition in 5 counties

1957-1977: 21,000 acres purchased, primarily farmland1957-1977: 21,000 acres purchased, primarily farmland1967- 80% of park reserves to remain in natural state; 1967- 80% of park reserves to remain in natural state;

20% for active use20% for active use1998- Regional trail corridors are identified within system 1998- Regional trail corridors are identified within system

planplan

Three Rivers Park DistrictThree Rivers Park DistrictCurrent facilities (2007) located in counties of: Current facilities (2007) located in counties of: Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Ramsey Hennepin, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Ramsey

26,000 acres of parkland 26,000 acres of parkland 9 regional parks9 regional parks 7 park reserves7 park reserves 12 regional trails 12 regional trails

(1- 20+ miles in length)(1- 20+ miles in length)

6 million visitors/year6 million visitors/year 19.3% increase in trail use19.3% increase in trail use

from 1998-2007from 1998-2007 Redevelopment occurring Redevelopment occurring

near parks and trailsnear parks and trails

Planning for the Future:Planning for the Future:Accommodating Changing NeedsAccommodating Changing Needs

1950s & 1960s1950s & 1960s Stable, homogenous Stable, homogenous

populationpopulation More families with childrenMore families with children Traditional recreational needsTraditional recreational needs One size fits allOne size fits all

2000-20092000-2009 Diverse population, more Diverse population, more

foreign bornforeign born More single person More single person

householdshouseholds New recreational needsNew recreational needs Greater age span of usersGreater age span of users

Motivation for Using TrailsMotivation for Using TrailsTrail experience is the attractionTrail experience is the attraction: “The richer the : “The richer the

experience, the more visitors will work to experience, the more visitors will work to preserve it…”preserve it…”

↑↑Trail experience + destination are the attractionsTrail experience + destination are the attractions

↓↓Destination is the attractionDestination is the attraction: “Length and : “Length and

directness of the route and tread quality are directness of the route and tread quality are primary visitor motivations for using the trail.”primary visitor motivations for using the trail.”

Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources, Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources, 20062006

Regional Trails: definition & lengthRegional Trails: definition & length

““Regional trails serve a regional population Regional trails serve a regional population within the Twin cities metropolitan area and within the Twin cities metropolitan area and multiple cities and/or counties in greater multiple cities and/or counties in greater Minnesota. Travel time to a trailhead is Minnesota. Travel time to a trailhead is typically up to 30 minutes or more. typically up to 30 minutes or more.

For nonmotorized uses, the trail must be For nonmotorized uses, the trail must be long enough for at least an hour of visitor long enough for at least an hour of visitor experience, which translates into at least 5 experience, which translates into at least 5 miles for walking and 20 miles for bicyclingmiles for walking and 20 miles for bicycling. .

Significant emphasis is placed on the Significant emphasis is placed on the recreational value and setting of the trail. recreational value and setting of the trail.

Trail corridors exhibiting scenic qualities Trail corridors exhibiting scenic qualities with numerous natural resource attributes with numerous natural resource attributes are the highest priorities.”are the highest priorities.”

Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources, 2006Minnesota Dept of Natural Resources, 2006

Multimodal Trail designMultimodal Trail design

Combined use trails Combined use trails are 12 feet wideare 12 feet wide

Multimodal Trail design: Multimodal Trail design: width of separated paths width of separated paths

bikes path 10ft + walking path 8ftbikes path 10ft + walking path 8ft

Heritage TrailHeritage Trail

Lake NokomisLake Nokomis

Lake CalhounLake Calhoun

Accommodating Multi-modal use: Accommodating Multi-modal use: Auto, Bike & Bus LanesAuto, Bike & Bus Lanes

Hennepin AvenueHennepin Avenue

Promoting Regional Mobility:Promoting Regional Mobility:Light rail and bicyclingLight rail and bicycling

Accommodating Accommodating bicycles on light railbicycles on light rail

Shared ROW corridors: Shared ROW corridors: Multi-use trail adjacent to Multi-use trail adjacent to

Hiawatha light railHiawatha light rail

Trail Signage & WayfindingTrail Signage & Wayfinding

Resources for the PublicResources for the Public Maps- with distancesMaps- with distances

Resources for the Public: Resources for the Public: Regional MapsRegional Maps

Renaissance of BicyclingRenaissance of Bicycling"When residents and historians look back at this period in "When residents and historians look back at this period in

the Twin Cities, they will clearly identify it as the great the Twin Cities, they will clearly identify it as the great era of bicycle trail construction. era of bicycle trail construction.

We are in the midst of creating an essential new element We are in the midst of creating an essential new element in the transportation and recreation systems of the 21st in the transportation and recreation systems of the 21st century. century.

Bicycles may have been invented in the 19th century, but Bicycles may have been invented in the 19th century, but they are becoming even more important in the 21st."they are becoming even more important in the 21st."

Hennepin County Commissioner Peter Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlinMcLaughlinAt October 31, 2001 Invitation Letter to At October 31, 2001 Invitation Letter to Bicycle Gaps MeetingBicycle Gaps Meeting

Dreaming for the future: 2030Dreaming for the future: 20302007- 2.85 million people in 6-county area2007- 2.85 million people in 6-county area2030- 3.6 million projected (26.3% increase)2030- 3.6 million projected (26.3% increase)

Metropolitan Council 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan proposes:Metropolitan Council 2030 Regional Parks Policy Plan proposes: Acquire another 17,000 acres parkland + 700 miles of Acquire another 17,000 acres parkland + 700 miles of

regional trailsregional trails

Regional Planning for GrowthRegional Planning for Growth

Every 4 years- a Regional Recreation Open Space Policy Plan Every 4 years- a Regional Recreation Open Space Policy Plan is prepared by the Metro Parks & Open Space is prepared by the Metro Parks & Open Space Commission (advisory board to metro council) Commission (advisory board to metro council)

Key aspects: Key aspects: 1.1. Identify where new regional parks and trails should be Identify where new regional parks and trails should be

located to meet future growthlocated to meet future growth2.2. Integrate parks system with housing, transportation and Integrate parks system with housing, transportation and

other regional prioritiesother regional priorities

Involving the Community Involving the Community

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board sought Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board sought input for the 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan input for the 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan (approved 10/17/07)(approved 10/17/07)

7 Town Meetings7 Town Meetings 20 Focus groups20 Focus groups 27 Appointed 27 Appointed community leaderscommunity leaders Phone surveyPhone survey

Closing the Gaps in the Closing the Gaps in the Trail SystemTrail System

October 2, 2001, the Hennepin County Board October 2, 2001, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners initiated the study of gaps in of Commissioners initiated the study of gaps in the bicycle transportation system. the bicycle transportation system.

The bicycle transportation system as a whole is The bicycle transportation system as a whole is composed of the regional county, regional park composed of the regional county, regional park (Three Rivers Park District), and individual city (Three Rivers Park District), and individual city bicycle systems. bicycle systems.

http://wwwa.co.hennepin.mn.us

http://wwwa.co.hennepin.mn.us

Metropolitan Regional Parks: Metropolitan Regional Parks: 2008-2013 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)2008-2013 Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

12/12/07- Metropolitan Council adopted the 12/12/07- Metropolitan Council adopted the 2008-2013 Capital Improvement Program2008-2013 Capital Improvement Program

Biannual budget of $17.5 million Biannual budget of $17.5 million 40% Metro Council Funds- $7 million40% Metro Council Funds- $7 million 60% State funds- $10.5 million60% State funds- $10.5 million

Metro Council funds: Metro Council funds: 33% from 10 yr bonds + 66% from 5yr bonds33% from 10 yr bonds + 66% from 5yr bonds

http://www.metrocouncil.org/parks/CIP.pdf

Capital Funds Allocated to Capital Funds Allocated to 10 Regional Parks agencies by: 10 Regional Parks agencies by:

Population & Non-local usePopulation & Non-local useFormula for allocating $17.5 million in CIP funding:Formula for allocating $17.5 million in CIP funding:70% weighting of population percent + 30% weighting of 70% weighting of population percent + 30% weighting of

non-local visits percentnon-local visits percent

Example: City of St PaulExample: City of St Paul10.2% regional population x .70 = 7.159%10.2% regional population x .70 = 7.159%24.8% non-local visits x .30 = 7.435%24.8% non-local visits x .30 = 7.435%

City of St Paul is allocated for 2008-2009City of St Paul is allocated for 2008-200914.594% of $17.5 million= $2.554 million14.594% of $17.5 million= $2.554 million

Metropolitan Regional Parks: Metropolitan Regional Parks: pooling pooling resources to growresources to grow

Metropolitan Council receives Metropolitan Council receives and dispenses state funds to and dispenses state funds to Regional Parks for acquisition Regional Parks for acquisition and development of the parks and development of the parks

1974 to 20071974 to 2007authorized $458 million in funds authorized $458 million in funds

for park system. for park system.

Operating expenses (received Operating expenses (received from state lottery):from state lottery):

In 2007- Metropolitan Council In 2007- Metropolitan Council allocated $8.62 million to allocated $8.62 million to Regional Parks, (10.1% of Regional Parks, (10.1% of annual operating expenses).annual operating expenses).

Funding the growth for Funding the growth for Regional Parks: Regional Parks: Nonprofit foundationNonprofit foundation

Funding strategy: Funding strategy: Minnesota Legislature authorized Metropolitan Council Minnesota Legislature authorized Metropolitan Council

to form a nonprofit foundationto form a nonprofit foundation Funds to assist in acquiring regional park land and Funds to assist in acquiring regional park land and

trailstrails Nonprofit to be modeled on efforts in other large U.S. Nonprofit to be modeled on efforts in other large U.S.

metro areasmetro areas

A Vision for the FutureA Vision for the FutureMinneapolis Park & Recreation Board outlined 3 Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board outlined 3

Vision Themes for the goals and strategies of Vision Themes for the goals and strategies of the 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan:the 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan:

1.1. ““Urban forests, natural areas, and waters that endure and Urban forests, natural areas, and waters that endure and captivate.”captivate.”

2.2. ““Recreation that inspires personal growth, healthy Recreation that inspires personal growth, healthy lifestyles, and a sense of community.”lifestyles, and a sense of community.”

3.3. ““Dynamic parks that shape city character and meet Dynamic parks that shape city character and meet diverse community needs.”diverse community needs.”

Funding for Minneapolis Park & Funding for Minneapolis Park & Recreation BoardRecreation Board

Park Board has authority to levy Park Board has authority to levy taxes to fund operating taxes to fund operating expenses:expenses:

92%-from property tax92%-from property tax & local government aid& local government aid 3%-from state grants3%-from state grants 5%-from revenues & transfers5%-from revenues & transfers

Annual cost to Minneapolis Annual cost to Minneapolis homeowner for Park Board: homeowner for Park Board:

$217 or 7.7% of property tax $217 or 7.7% of property tax on $116,000 home on $116,000 home

Funding for Minneapolis Park & Funding for Minneapolis Park & Recreation BoardRecreation Board

20072007Revenues $13.04 millionRevenues $13.04 millionExpenses-$13.02 millionExpenses-$13.02 million

Assets- $276.9 million (in 2007)Assets- $276.9 million (in 2007)

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board: Board: Future projectsFuture projects

Complete 3-mile missing link in Grand RoundsComplete 3-mile missing link in Grand Rounds Add bikeway, parkland, & pedestrian pathAdd bikeway, parkland, & pedestrian path Cost: approx $100 millionCost: approx $100 million

Expand trails along Mississippi RiverExpand trails along Mississippi River Construct bike lanes to completeConstruct bike lanes to complete

urban networkurban network

Completing the Grand Rounds: Completing the Grand Rounds: A National Scenic BywayA National Scenic Byway

Missing Link Study Phase began June 2007Missing Link Study Phase began June 2007 Citizen Advisory Committee formedCitizen Advisory Committee formed Community input (3 public meetings)Community input (3 public meetings)

Study evaluated:Study evaluated: Proposed routes & designsProposed routes & designs Neighborhood impactNeighborhood impact Connectivity to existing & Connectivity to existing &

proposed bike/ped routesproposed bike/ped routes Park and Open SpacesPark and Open Spaces Transportation CorridorsTransportation Corridors

Contact InfoContact Info Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

2117 West River Road2117 West River RoadMinneapolis, MN 55411Minneapolis, MN 55411(612) 230-6400(612) 230-6400Jennifer Ringold, Citywide planner Jennifer Ringold, Citywide planner http://www.minneapolisparks.orghttp://www.minneapolisparks.org

Three Rivers Park DistrictThree Rivers Park District3000 Xenium Lane North 3000 Xenium Lane North Plymouth, MN 55441-1299 Plymouth, MN 55441-1299 763/559-9000 763/559-9000 Jonathon Vlaming, Senior Manager of PlanningJonathon Vlaming, Senior Manager of Planning

http://www.threeriversparkdistrict.orghttp://www.threeriversparkdistrict.org

Further informationFurther information Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board> Design and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board> Design and

Planning> lists various projectsPlanning> lists various projectshttp://www.minneapolisparks.org/home.asphttp://www.minneapolisparks.org/home.asp

Above the Falls-Phase I (Completing the Grand Rounds)Above the Falls-Phase I (Completing the Grand Rounds)http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=935http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=935

Metropolitan Regional ParksMetropolitan Regional Parkshttp://www.metrocouncil.org/parks/parks.htmhttp://www.metrocouncil.org/parks/parks.htm

Metropolitan Council: www.metrocouncil.orgMetropolitan Council: www.metrocouncil.org