Parks and Trails Introduction 5 New Ulm was fortunate to have founders with a vision and a deep interest in parks when they platted the City in 1858. Their interest in parks was probably rooted in the Turnverein philosophy of promoting a sound mind and a sound body. This vision provided New Ulm with land dedicated for public parks in a uniform pattern across the City. There continues to be a strong interest in outdoor recreation; the population recognizes that recreational interests are changing somewhat and that the system should keep pace. The New Ulm Master Park Plan was most recently prepared in 1989 and incorporated into the 1996 Comprehensive Plan. The Parks chapter of this Comprehensive Plan was updated in 2007 based on the 1996 Compre- hensive Plan. It includes an evaluation of the current park and recreation system, more detailed park and facility standards, a trail plan, future park needs, park renovation and facility priorities. Guiding assumptions for mid- and long-term park and recreation system planning are: Z The City’s population will remain stable or slightly increase, and the mean age will increase with the Baby Boomers moving into the 45 to 60 year range. Interest in trails, passive parks, cultural and fine arts programs, and indoor recreation is likely to increase. Z Exercise and health will continue to be an integral part of the lives of the people of New Ulm. A comprehensive trail system would help meet these demands. A loop trail network with connections to key local destinations (downtown, larger city parks, and Flandrau State Park) and to external trail routes (such as the Minnesota River State Trail) is needed to meet recreation, active living and non-vehicular transportation needs. A city and regional trail system would attract both residents and visitors alike. New Ulm Comprehensive Plan Page 5-1 Parks and Trails Z Parks, trails and open space expansion of other partnerships f Vogel Fieldhouse, fitness center, play an important role in attracting will help provide the best and most racquetball courts, meeting tourism, maintaining and increas- efficient system. rooms. ing property values and for neigh- Z f New Ulm Civic Center – two borhood and community quality There will be an increased em- phasis on energy efficiency, green ice skating and hockey rinks of life. (that become seasonal dry floor Z infrastructure and sustainability in Maintenance, cleanliness and the future. Increased gasoline costs arenas) and meeting rooms. the safety of parks and recreation may cause some to seek close-to- f The New Ulm Community facilities are a key factor in satisfac- home recreational activities such Center - senior recreation, tion with the park system. as walking or biking. cafetorium, arts, crafts, pottery, Z Interest in the environmental meeting rooms. and natural resources will play The purpose of the Parks and Trails an increasingly important role in Element of the Comprehensive Plan These first class facilities provide planning, park and community de- is to: excellent indoor recreation for the velopment decisions. Key natural community. A. Guide the Park and Recreation resources such as the Minnesota In addition to the City facilities, River, Big Cottonwood River, bluff Commission, Planning Commis- areas, prairies, trees and woodlands sion and City Council in acquiring schools and Martin Luther Col- will need greater protection, pres- land for new parks. lege also provide active recreation ervation and management. facilities such as athletic fields, B. Guide development of new bike play equipment and gymnasiums; Z Future downtown develop- routes, sidewalks and off-street although public access to these fa- ment will provide the City with a trails. strong and viable downtown area. cilities can be limited during peak Historic renovation of buildings C. Help guide decision-making re- school use times. Flandrau State for interpretative means, and the garding improvements to existing, Park provides outdoor natural re- on-going maintenance of German, underdeveloped and undeveloped source based recreation for the New Kiesling and Schonlau Parks will parks. Ulm area and beyond. Private parks help meet the demands of a more and recreation areas play an impor- active downtown. D. Provide policy direction regard- tant role in the community. Schell’s Z Tourism will continue to grow ing natural resource preservation, Brewery, Putting Green Adventure within the New Ulm area. Future management and recreation facility Park, Jr. Pioneer Park, Turner Halle programs, attractions and facilities development. and other facilities supplement the will need to be developed using the public park and recreation sys- City’s German heritage, architec- Park and Recreation tem. See Table 5-1 - Existing Parks tural resources, riverfronts and park Inventory and Figure 5-1 - Existing system as major attractions. System Inventory Parks and Trails Map. Z Partnerships for park and rec- The City of New Ulm is well served reation facility development and by 14 Neighborhood Parks, 4 Mini operation will continue to increase Parks, 4 Community Parks, 5 Spe- in importance. The Park and Rec- cial Use Parks, and 2 Natural Re- reation Department has a good source Areas. The City has an working relationship with not only excellent range of indoor recreation the school systems in the New Ulm facilities: area, but also the many organiza- tions and groups which utilize parks f The Recreation Center - indoor and recreation facilities. Enhance- swimming pool. ment of those partnerships and New Ulm Comprehensive Plan Page 5-2 Key: V = Vault W = Wading F = Fitness X = Yes E = Enclosed/Screened O = Outdoor S = Seasonal C = Carry in boat launch R = boat launch Ramp I = Indoor P = Portable seasonal G = Gravel N = Nearby H = Hard surface New Ulm Comprehensive Plan New UlmComprehensive PARKS & FACILITIES L = Lights Acres Shelter, Bandshell (open unless noted) Picnic Tables Restrooms Equipment Playground Baseball/Softball Fields Horseshoe Courts Courts Tennis Volleyball Courts Basketball Courts Football/Soccer Fields Trail or Walking Track Ice Rinks Pool Swimming Center Fitness Meeting/Multi-Purpose Rooms Locker Rooms w/Showers Arenas - Indoor Dry Floor Stand Concession Cafeteria, Kitchen, Ampitheater or Theater Accessible Pergula & Fountain, Gardens, Benches, Bleachers, Grandstands Center Interpretive Historical Marker, Monument, Sculpture Water Drinking (Winter) Hill Sliding Open Play Space Natural Area Grills Disc Golf Course (9 holes) River Acess: Minnesota (MN) or Cottonwood (CT) Archery Range 226 22nd North St (E of Industrial) 2.00 X H BMX Track 316 3rd South St 4.00 X P H N XS Civic Center 1212 North Franklin St 3.00 X X I 2 9 8/4 S 2 2 X X X Community Center/North German Park 600 North German St 2.81 X X X L 1 4 1 I 1 X X X X Inventory 5-1:Park Table Cottonwood River Beach Park 620 Cottonwood St 2.10 G X C CT andTrails Parks Seventh North Park (Undeveloped) 1601 7th North St 7.00 X Fifth North Holding Pond (Undeveloped) 601 North Garden St 8.00 1 X X Fifth North Mini Park 1449 5th North St 0.82 X German Park 200 North German St 6.80 3 X X X H O 1 X X X X S Graffiti Art Wall 600 North on the Trail (221 6th N. St) 3.50 H X X Harman Park 101 North Garden St 13.98 E 1 X X X 3/(L2) L 4 S O L 3 XXXX Heritage Tree Monument 101 North Minnesota St 0.05 X 1 1 Hermann Heights Park & Monument 14 Monument St 5.95 E 2 X S X XXSXS X Highland Park 1627 5th North St 3.00 X P X X X X Johnson Field 400 North German St 8.50 S L 1 1 S XS Johnson Park 500 North German St 8.49 S L 1 1 S X X X S Page 5-3 Page Kiesling Park, House & Gallery 220 North Minnesota St 0.20 1 X XXI Lakeside Village Park (Undeveloped) 2315 Lake Ave 1.50 X Lincoln Park 718 South State St 2.81 1 X S X 1 L 2 1 O L 1 O W XXS Maplewood Park (Undeveloped) 1321 Maplewood Dr 3.00 X Minnecon Park 2 5th North St 118.65 1 X V G X X X C R MN Mueller Park 224 3rd North St 8.50 1 X S L 1 H 1 S X X S Nehl's Park 1100 Summit Ave 12.00 X P X 1 G F X XXXX North Park 1801North State St 13.97 2 X S X L 3 X 1 S 1 S XSXX North End of Trail (Undeveloped) 2228 North Broadway 2.64 H X North German Park (see Community Center) 600 N. German North Market Park 1414 North German St 1.10 1 X X X Riverside Park 101 South Front St 13.23 X P X 1 X S 3 X X X X C R MN Schonlau Park/Glockenspiel 327 North Minnesota St 0.40 X O 1 X X X 1 Skateboard/In-line Skate Park 315 1st South St 1.09 X P H XXS South Park 1800 South State St 13.97 X X 1 X 1 X X X X X South German Park 501 South German St 5.56 H XX South Market Park (Undeveloped) 1415 South German St 2.81 H X Steinhauser Park/Recreation Center 122 South Garden St 11.29 X X I 3 I 3 I 3 I I I 2 3 2/2 1 1 X X X X X Trap Range 214 21st North St 4.00 E S X S H 1 X Washington Park 715 North State St 2.81 1 X S X 1 L 2 1 1 O W XXS Total 281.42 Parks and Trails Figure 5-1: Existing Parks and Trails Map New Ulm Comprehensive Plan Page 5-4 Parks and Trails Goals and Policies Goal 2: Provide a range by either the land developer or the of community-scale and City.