Attachment A

Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary Spring 2011 draft INTRODUCTION

The River Greenway Master Plan emerged from the Dakota County Parks, Lakes, Trails and Greenways Vision, 2030 and the Dakota County Greenway Collaborative Guidebook. The Master Plan is a guide to establishing a greenway following the river’s southern bank from Burnsville to Saint Paul. Dakota County envisions its greenways to provide multiple benefits to water quality, habitat, recreation and nonmotorized transportation.

The Minnesota River Greenway travels 17 miles along the side of the Minnesota River valley through the communities of Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Mendota and Lilydale before landing at Saint Paul’s Lilydale Regional Park. The corridor is rich in cultural and natural resources and offers a singular opportunity as a connective ribbon of nature and trails along the powerful Minnesota River. This corridor is part of the larger Minnesota Valley State Trail planned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that will travel from LeSueur to Saint Paul.

As the first master plan to be prepared since Dakota County solidified its greenway vision in the 2008 Park System Plan, the Minnesota River Greenway represents an important milestone in Dakota County’s greenway process. As such, this master plan has been prepared as a model in both approach and “design signature” for future greenway master plans to follow.

EXO ISTING C NDITIONS

Today, the Minnesota River Greenway links destinations including Lilydale Regional Park, Big Rivers Regional Trail, North Urban Regional Trail, Big Rivers Regional Trail, historic Mendota, State Park, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Burnsville’s northeast quadrant, which will become a mixed-use area for housing, employment, retail and recreation.

The GreenwayGuidebook

Adopted September 28, 2010

The Dakota County Greenway Collaborative Minnesota River G reenway .us Search greenway collaborative at dakotacounty

1 Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2011 Master Plan Purpose

ff Provides strategic guidance for future greenway development ff Integrates recreation, transportation, natural resource management and improved water quality ff Recommends natural and cultural resource stewardship ff Identifies a greenway trail alignment, interpretive themes and esignd direction ff Recommends implementation strategies for land protection, development phasing, capital and operations budgets and funding

R ailroad bridge at Mendota leading to trails

Cultural Resources

The Minnesota River Valley for centuries has been attractive for human settlement. Burial mounds and earthworks along the Minnesota River and its tributaries indicate an intensive occupation of the area by early native Americans. European settlement followed and the area was used for fur trading, military forts, mills, breweries and residences. Today there are 26 known archeological sites, 80 architectural properties inventoried by the State Historic Preservation Office (10 of these properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and three are eligible for listing). There is high potential for additional cultural and archeological resources, including earthworks and burial mounds.

Natural Resources

The Minnesota River Greenway is characterized by expanses of high to moderate quality ecosystems, mostly within and immediately adjacent the Minnesota River valley. Much of the land along the greenway is within the boundaries of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Snelling State Park and City of Nicols Fen Forest St. Paul Regional Parks, as well as current and future City of Burnsville parks. The corridor provides wildlife habitat and is important for fish and birds. The long history of settlement in the area also has left severely degraded areas, including several contaminated dump sites.

Wetlands below I-494

Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2011 2 Recreation Destination

Activity Center

Trailhead

Neighborhood Gateway i Interpretive Stop LILYDALE REGIONAL I-35E PARK Grade Separated Crossing SAINT PAUL Bridge over Water i

Minnesota River Greenway CONNECTION TO Existing Trail SAM MORGAN Planned Trail MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL Existing Regional Trail BIG RIVERS GATEWAY Planned Regional Trail

Soft Surface Trail

Local Trail CROSBY FARM i REGIONAL PARK i MENDOTA HEIGHTS

NORTH HWY 55 MINNEHAHA FALLS REGIONAL PARK SEGMENT 1

0 .25 .5 1 MILE BIG RIVERS REGIONAL TRAIL

CONNECTION TO i MISSISSIPPI RIVER MENDOTA i TRAILS FORT SNELLING i PILOT KNOB STATE PARK NATURAL AREA I-494 LAKE NOKOMIS HWY 13 HWY 55

I-35E MINNEHAHA CREEK SNELLING LAKE

i GUN WPA OVERLOOK MSP CLUB INTERNATIONAL LAKE PILOT KNOB RD COUNTY ROAD 26 AIRPORT

CEDAR AVE LEXINGTON AVE S

CONNECTION TO LAKE i NOKOMIS AND THE LONE OAK RD GRAND ROUNDS GUN MINNESOTA RIVER CLUB CONNECTION TO LEBANON COUNTY ROAD 28 LAKE HILLS REGIONAL PARK AND NORTH CREEK GREENWAY I-494

RICHFIELD HWY 77

FENS / HWY 13 WETLANDS YANKEE DOODLE RD LONG MEADOW LAKE

SEGMENT 2 HWY 13 INDUSTRIAL / I-35E OFFICE PARK

METRO WASTEWATER PLANT LYNDALE AVE S EAGAN

CONNECTION TO LAKE NOKOMIS AND THE GRAND ROUNDS i

CEDAR GROVE i TRANSIT STATION DIFFLEY RD

BLOOMINGTON i

MINNESOTA RIVER HWY 77 SEGMENT 3 VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

CLIFF RD I-35W LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK

MINNESOTA RIVER BLACK DOG LAKE MINNESOTA FRANCE AVE MINNESOTA ZOO CENTRAL PARK RIVERFRONT PARK MINNESOTA RIVER HWY 13 VALLEY NATIONAL RIVER HILLS DRIVE W WILDLIFE REFUGE

TERRACE OAKS EAST PARK SEGMENT 4 BURNSVILLE PKWY

COUNTY RD 11

I-35E

FUTURE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT BURNSVILLE

NICOLLET AVE CONNECTION TO SCOTT COUNTY LANDFILL I-35W (FUTURE PARK)

SUE FISCHER

MEMORIAL PARK / CO RD 5 KRAMER NATURE PRESERVE Recreation Destination

Activity Center

Trailhead

Neighborhood Gateway MISSISSIPPI RIVER i Interpretive Stop LILYDALE REGIONAL I-35E PARK Grade Separated Crossing SAINT PAUL Bridge over Water i

Minnesota River Greenway CONNECTION TO Existing Trail SAM MORGAN Planned Trail MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL Existing Regional Trail BIG RIVERS GATEWAY Planned Regional Trail

Soft Surface Trail

Local Trail CROSBY FARM i REGIONAL PARK i MENDOTA HEIGHTS

NORTH HWY 55 MINNEHAHA FALLS REGIONAL PARK SEGMENT 1

0 .25 .5 1 MILE BIG RIVERS REGIONAL TRAIL

CONNECTION TO i MISSISSIPPI RIVER MENDOTA i MINNEAPOLIS TRAILS FORT SNELLING i PILOT KNOB STATE PARK NATURAL AREA I-494 LAKE NOKOMIS HWY 13 HWY 55

I-35E MINNEHAHA CREEK SNELLING LAKE

i GUN WPA OVERLOOK MSP CLUB INTERNATIONAL LAKE PILOT KNOB RD COUNTY ROAD 26 AIRPORT

CEDAR AVE LEXINGTON AVE S

CONNECTION TO LAKE i NOKOMIS AND THE LONE OAK RD GRAND ROUNDS GUN MINNESOTA RIVER CLUB CONNECTION TO LEBANON COUNTY ROAD 28 LAKE HILLS REGIONAL PARK AND NORTH CREEK GREENWAY I-494

RICHFIELD HWY 77

FENS / HWY 13 WETLANDS YANKEE DOODLE RD MALL OF AMERICA LONG MEADOW LAKE

SEGMENT 2 HWY 13 INDUSTRIAL / I-35E OFFICE PARK

METRO WASTEWATER PLANT LYNDALE AVE S EAGAN

CONNECTION TO LAKE NOKOMIS AND THE GRAND ROUNDS i

CEDAR GROVE i TRANSIT STATION DIFFLEY RD

BLOOMINGTON i

MINNESOTA RIVER HWY 77 SEGMENT 3 VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

CLIFF RD I-35W LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK

MINNESOTA RIVER BLACK DOG LAKE MINNESOTA FRANCE AVE MINNESOTA ZOO CENTRAL PARK RIVERFRONT PARK MINNESOTA RIVER HWY 13 VALLEY NATIONAL RIVER HILLS DRIVE W WILDLIFE REFUGE

TERRACE OAKS EAST PARK SEGMENT 4 BURNSVILLE PKWY

COUNTY RD 11

I-35E

FUTURE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT BURNSVILLE

NICOLLET AVE CONNECTION TO SCOTT COUNTY LANDFILL I-35W (FUTURE PARK)

SUE FISCHER

MEMORIAL PARK / CO RD 5 KRAMER NATURE PRESERVE Minn esota River Greenway Concept Plan THE PLAN The Development Plan

Development of the Minnesota River Greenway hinges on a continuous, paved trail for nature-based recreation and non-motorized transportation. The trail is a connective feature linking recreation destinations (places people go for outdoor recreation), activity centers (gathering places along the trail), and trail connections.

Design features that are signatures of Dakota County Regional Trails include: ff Follows natural resources and has a natural design signature Wayfinding is discussed as an important part ff Frequent access points at full service trailheads with restrooms, picnicking, in the Development Plan for the greenway. water and vehicle parking (every 3-5 miles) and smaller, more frequent, Above are concepts for a Gateway Landmark neighborhood gateways between trailheads wayfinding element. ff Paved trail that is plowed in winter ff Grade separated crossings at major roads ff Cultural and natural resource interpretation ff Wayfinding ff High quality furnishings at trailheads, gateways and rest areas ff Universal accessibility ff Utilizing sustainable building practices and materials ff Lighting where evening use is anticipated Trailheads will be at major access points.

Minnesota River Greenway Typical Section (Not to Scale) Sibley Existing Memorial Big Rivers Highway Regional Trail

Active railroad To Minnesota Existing soft- River surface trail

30-Foot wide regional trail Opportunity easement Opportunity for for stormwater slope stabilization management Wtewardship and habitat land restoration Minnesota River floodplain

5 Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2011 Source: jankegeneralcontractors.com

AUSTIN BENCH RIDE BIKE LOOP CALLISTO BOLLARD

Grade-separated crossings will be used along Outdoor furnishings, such as benches, bike the greenway to cross major roadways and racks and lighting, will be placed conveniently railroads. along the greenway for rest and safety.

Source: HKGi

The Interpretive Plan

The interpretive plan identifies an interpretive theme and sub- themes that provide a framework for cultural and environmental interpretive education. The plan recommends that the theme and subthemes be integrated into the greenway design and interpretive concentrated at trail heads and neighborhood gateways.

Sibley House in Mendota Interpretive Theme

Lured by the Landscape: For centuries, the rich natural resources of the Minnesota River have invited the settlement of diverse cultures.

Subthemes

Confluence of Cultures, An Industrious River, Discover Nature Along the Minnesota River, and Active Living - Counting the Benefits L ong Meadow Lake Bridge

Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2011 6 The Stewardship Plan Today, the Minnesota River Valley is ecologically rich habitat preserve. The linear nature of the Minnesota River Greenway Strategic investment in improving natural resources will require natural resource would be made near trail heads. management strategies that Big Rivers are geographically targeted, Habitat Investment Areas Neighborhood Gateway 66 Improve stream cooperative and realistic. 66 Plant buffer at parking area The plan recommends 66 Divert road run-off restoration and protection 66 Remove invasive species efforts be focused on the trailheads, where there is the greatest opportunity WPA Overlook for greenway users to see 66 Manage invasive species the results of activities. Quarry Area Stewardship activities 66 Fen restoration study in the larger greenway 66 Manage invasives corridor will need to be in cooperation with public and private landowners. All stewardship actions should be evaluated through the lens of sustainability — Nicols Fen is the stewardship effort 66 Study fen restoration 66 Manage invasives sustainable long-term from ecological economic perspectives. Black Dog Greenway 66 Restore native plant community to floodplain forest and native grassland

Burnsville Redevelopment Area 66 Manage invasives, 66 Manage restored wetlands 66 Monitor floodplain forest regeneration

7 Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2011 IMPLEMENTATION & MANAGEMENT

Implementation will depend on multijurisdictional collaboration. Without continued coordination between the communities and agencies that the greenway travels through it is unlikely the greenway, as it is envisioned, will be built. While the 30’ regional trail corridor will be the jurisdictional and operational responsibility of Dakota County, the larger greenway corridor will be governed in many ways depending the situation and land ownership. As greenway segments are built, formal joint powers agreements between Dakota County and collaborating agencies will need to be established to outline specific agency responsibilities. These agreements will outline who has control over the trail right-of-way, as well L oooking upstream of the Minnesota River as who will operate and maintain the trail and how they will do it. Similarly, responsibilities for land acquisition, construction, stewardship, operations and maintenance will depend on the particularities of each segment.

L and Protection And Stewardship

Dakota County’s greenway concept expands the traditional concept of a corridor to include recreation, transportation, ecological, and water quality components in a 100-foot to 300-foot corridor. Because securing the entire width of the corridor it is not always feasible, a dual approach to securing greenway lands is recommended.

Land protection is protecting land essential to make the greenway usable to the Fort Snelling State Park on the shores of the public. For the Minnesota River Greenway, this means securing lands needed Minnesota River for the trail corridor and trailheads. For land owned by other public agencies, Dakota County will need to permanently protect the trail corridor and trailheads for greenway trail use with easement or joint powers agreements. For land that is privately owned, the County will need to protect the trail corridor for public use. Land protection strategies include: park dedication, direct purchase with resale of land not required for the trail, permanent easements, land donation, bargain sale, life estate and negotiations with cities and developers.

Land stewardship refers to the care of native landscapes and habitat within the wider greenway. Generally, Dakota County will not be the lead agency in stewardship activities outside of the 30-foot trail corridor, but will work as Hiking along a soft surface path adjacent to the Minnesota River stewardship partners with local jurisdictions, agencies and private landowners with funding and expertise.

Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2011 8 Phasing And Priorites Minnesota River Greenway Priority Projects Greenway segments have been prioritized in three categories: first A priority projects, second priority projects and long-term projects. i It is anticipated that first priority projects will be built in advanced B C of second priority projects, but the master plan remains flexible D so that any project can be implemented as partnership or funding i i opportunities arise. E i F First priority projects are those needed to create a continuous, i G functional greenway experience. It is intended that recreation, i water quality, and natural resource elements be integrated into the greenway at the time of initial construction. i H

Second priority projects will enhance the greenway experience. These are things such as grade separated crossings and trailhead development. J

Long term projects are in areas where the greenway will be assembled along with development or redevelopment and lighting. L K PROJECT PRIORITY POTENTIAL TRIGGERS/PARTNERS Segment 1: Lilydale Regional Park to I-494 in conjunction with Lilydale Park Lilydale Trailhead 2nd A redevelopment B Lilydale to Big Rivers Regional Trail 1st M C Enhanced Railroad bridge to accommodate trail 1st D Big Rivers Gateway 2nd E Big Rivers Regional Trail Enhancements 2nd Underpass of Sibley Memorial Hwy north of DT assumes implementation with MNDOT 2nd F Mendota Hwy 13 project assumes implementation with MNDOT G Downtown Mendota Gateway 2nd Existing Trail Hwy 13 project N H WPA Trailhead and Overlook Enhancements 1st First Priority Project i Wayfinding/Interpretation 1st Second Priority Project Segment 2: I-494 to Cedar Ave/TH 77 Long-term Project J Trail from I-494 to Cedar Avenue 1st in conjunction with local trail Eagan Gateway 2nd K completion L Cedar Avenue Trailhead and Boat Launch 1st collaborate with DNR Segment 3: TH77 to I-35W M Black Dog Greenway 1st Segment 4: I-35W to Scott County N Greenway from I-35W to Scott County long-term to be completed with redevelopment

9 Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2011 Funding

Funding will also be a collaboration between the County, cities, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota DNR as appropriate. Cost share roles will be determined based on the strengths of each agency and circumstances of each project. In-kind contributions of land, easement, design, engineering, construction and maintenance and operations are encouraged and will be outlined in individual joint powers agreements between agencies. In the event that the greenway becomes designated as part of the planned Minnesota Valley State Trail from Saint Paul to LeSueur, the MnDNR would likely take the lead in funding both capital projects and operations and maintenance.

It is anticipated that most future capital projects will be positioned to secure regional, state and federal funds for recreation, water and habitat, and that these sources will account for a majority of capital construction costs. In many cases, but not all, Dakota County, as the regional agency, will be in the best position to pursue outside funding. Examples of outside funding sources include: ff NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program ff Minnesota Department of Transportation ff Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ff Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ff The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund ff Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment ff Watershed Management Organizations ff Foundations and Nonprofits ff State Health Improvement Program

Funding for annual operating and maintenance costs for the 30-foot regional trail corridor and trailheads primarily will be the responsibility of Dakota County. Annual operating costs are funded though the Dakota County general fund and from regional park allocations from the Metropolitan Council. In situations where there are efficiencies in local jurisdictions performing maintenance and operations, Dakota County will enter into a joint powers agreement outlining responsibilities and cost sharing.

Minnesota River Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2011 10 Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.

Barr Engineering Bolton & Menk 106 Group