C I T Y O F N O R T H F I E L D M I N N E S O T A P A R K S, O P E N S P A C E, A N D T R A I L S Y S T E M P L A N ARKS P RAILS T ACE P S EN P O MARCH 2008 BRAUER & ASSOCIATES, LTD. LAND USE PLANNING AND DESIGN P L A N ACK N OWLEDGME N TS Starting in early 2007, Northfield’s Park and Recreation Advisory Board IN TRODUCT I O N (PRAB) oversaw the preparation of a comprehensive parks, open space, and trail system plan for the city. This document is the final product of the public process, which was completed in December of 2007. PUBL I C IN VOLVEME N T Given the considerable public interest in parks, open space, and trails, the Northfield City Council and PRAB placed high value on extensive citizen involvement in the project. Through formal and informal meetings and open houses, individual citizens and advocacy groups had direct access to the consultant team and PRAB on numerous occasions. The comments and suggestions received from these interactions proved very fruitful and greatly influenced the development of the plan. The consultant team would like to thank Northfield for undertaking an open ACK N OWLEDGME N TS and constructive public participation process for this project. This allowed many perspectives to be considered and acted upon. Through this process, a responsible balance between individual interests and the general public good has been achieved. The consultant team would also like to thank the PRAB for their participation. Their individual and collective insights were instrumental in considering options and drawing final conclusions. The City Council should also be commended for their faith in the public process and confidence that citizens can help find reasonable solutions if given the right opportunity and planning process. Finally, the consultant team extends a thank you to the many citizens who took the time to attend meetings, write letters, and make phone calls so that we could understand their perspectives first hand. Sincerely, Jeff Schoenbauer, Senior Principal Brauer & Associates, Ltd. NORTHF I ELD PARKS , OP E N SP ACE , A N D TRA I L SYSTEM PLA N I PROJECT OVERS I GHT NORTHF I ELD CI TY COU N C I L Lee Lansing-Mayor Noah Cashman Scott Davis Jim Porkorney Arnie Nelson Jon Denison Kris Vohs NORTHF I ELD PARK A N D RECREAT I O N ADV I SORY BOARD Grace Clark Margaret Colangelo Dennis Easley Eric Hong Daniel Hudson Spencer Jones Richard Vanasek, Chair NORTHF I ELD CI TY STAFF Joel Walinski, Director of Public Services Dan Olson, City Planner Lynn James, Administrative Assistant O N SULTA N T EAM Brauer & Associates, Ltd. C T 10417 Excelsior Boulevard #1 Hopkins, MN 55343 (952) 238-0831 Jeff Schoenbauer, RLA, Senior Principal/Principal-in-Charge George Watson, RLA, Senior Principal Candace Amberg, RLA, Principal Jason Amberg, RLA, Principal Amanda Prosser, LAIT NORTHF I ELD PARKS , OP E N SP ACE , A N D TRA I L SYSTEM PLA N II TABLE OF CO nt E nt S SE ct IO N 1 – COMMU N I T Y Inp U T A N D VALUES ST A T EME nt 1.1 - 1.6 Overview 1.1 Growth of the Community/Demographic Changes 1.1 Public Process Findings 1.2 Trends Influencing Planning Outcomes 1.3 Influence of Public Input and Trends on Planning Outcomes 1.5 SE ct IO N 2 – VISION A N D POLI C Y PLA N 2.1 - 2.6 A Common Vision 2.1 System Plan Goals and Policies 2.1 Guiding Principles 2.4 Achieving the Common Vision 2.5 SE ct IO N 3 – PARKS A N D GREE N WAY SYS T EM PLA N 3.1 - 3.30 Overview 3.1 Interlinked Systems – Northfield and School District 659 3.1 Park and Greenways Classifications 3.2 Local Park System Plan 3.4 Park Reserve Land 3.17 Natural Open Space (Greenway) System 3.18 Select Special-Use Facilities and Amenities 3.28 Sustainable Park System Practices 3.30 Park Signage Program 3.30 Park Master Planning and Facility Design Quality/ Development Standards 3.30 SE ct IO N 4 – TRAIL SYS T EM PLA N 4.1 - 4.28 Overview 4.1 General Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines 4.1 Trail Classifications 4.3 Local Trail System Plan 4.6 Mill Towns Trail 4.18 Downtown Area Trail System Connections 4.20 Trail Development and Public Use of Carleton and St. Olaf Properties 4.21 “Complete Streets” Philosophy 4.22 Trail Related Amenities and Standards 4.23 NOR T HFIELD PARKS , OP E N SP A C E , A N D TRAIL SYS T EM PLA N TC.1 TABLE OF CO nt E nt S SE ct IO N 5 – NA T URAL RESOUR C ES A N D ST EWARDSHI P PLA N 5.1 - 5.16 Overview 5.1 Natural Resources Stewardship Philosophy and Vision 5.1 A Public-Private Partnership 5.3 Overview of Ecological Conditions 5.3 Dual Track Stewardship Strategy 5.5 Phases and Time Frames for Natural Resources Stewardship Programs 5.8 Providing Buffers to Protect Sensitive Ecological Systems 5.10 Enhancing Wildlife Habitat 5.12 Water Resources Management 5.13 SE ct IO N 6 – IM P LEME nt A T IO N PLA N 6.1 - 6.16 Overview 6.1 A Balanced Approach to Implementation 6.1 A Disciplined Approach to System Investments 6.2 Long-Term Commitment to a Sustainable System 6.2 Prioritizing Criteria for System Initiatives 6.2 Implementation Strategies and Priorities 6.3 Funding Options 6.9 Admin. Provisions – Interrelationship With CE 6.11 Admin. Provisions – Interrelationship With Local Associations/Facility-Use Policy 6.11 Admin. Provisions – Shared Responsibility Agreements 6.14 Admin. Provisions – Public Involvement 6.16 App E N DIX A – PARK A N D TRAIL DE V ELO P ME nt CO N SIDERA T IO N S A.1 - A.38 Overview A.1 Development Cost Considerations A.1 Consideration for Park Development A.3 Facility Development Guidelines A.37 App E N DIX B – SUMMARY OF FI N DI ng S FROM PUBLI C PRO C ESS B.1 - B.5 Overview A.1 Development Cost Considerations A.1 Consideration for Park Development A.3 Facility Development Guidelines A.37 NOR T HFIELD PARKS , OP E N SP A C E , A N D TRAIL SYS T EM PLA N TC.2 SECTIO N 1 COMMU N ITY Inp UT A N D VALUES STATEME N T Understanding the needs and desires of the community was one of the OV ER V IEW first steps in preparing the system plan. Through the public process, citizens and their local representatives on the Park & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and City Council had a variety of opportunities to provide input and perspectives on planning issues. These findings provided the foundation for developing the parks, open space, and trail system plan. Through these interactions, a strong and consistent public statement has been made: Preserve the sense of place and livability of the community while accommodating growth and evolving recreational and social trends. These values have been extensively reflected in the system plan. In 2000, the total population of Northfield was 17,147. Since then, the GROWTH OF THE overall population has grown to over 19,413. By 2020, the population is COMMU N ITY A N D projected to grow to 23,600. Figure 1.1 illustrates the projected population growth rate in Northfield. EMO G RA P HIC HA ng ES D C FI G URE 1.1 – PROJECTED PO P ULATIO N A N D HOUSEHOLD GROWTH RATES THROU G H 2020 30,000 2007) OND 23,600 Y E B P ROJECTIONS GROWTH PO P ULATION 20,000 ROJECTED 19,413 P ( 17,147 ULATION P O P 2000 2007 YEAR 2020 10,000 To accommodate this projected growth, privately-held land in Northfield will continue to be subdivided for residential housing, commercial, and industrial uses – including spreading out into the surrounding township on a managed basis. Inherently, this growth will impact the demand for parks, Complementary Study: “Chapter Two, open spaces, and trails. Demographic Composition, Northfield Comprehensive Plan” provides a more The system plan as presented here is planned to accommodate this level of comprehensive overview of the demographic trends growth. However, should growth rates and overall population significantly that influenced the development of the park, open space, and trail system plan. exceed these projections, reevaluation of the system plan is recommended. DEMO G RA P HIC IN FLUE N CES As a modestly growing community, many of the new households that have come to the community since 2000 are families with school age children, a trend that will likely continue. As a college town, 28% of the local population comes from St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges, which effectively lowers the median age in Northfield. Excluding this population, Northfield looks much like other communities. NORTHFIELD PARKS , OP E N SP ACE , A N D TRAIL SYSTEM PLA N 1.1 SECTIO N 1 - COMMU N ITY Inp UT A N D VALUES STATEME N T FI G URE 1.2 – KEY DEMO G RA P HIC GROU P S WITH At the same time, with the general aging of the population, there will also EV OL V I ng RECREATIO N AL NEEDS be a higher propensity of “empty nesters” or households without school age children.