Information Requests Street Car Wildlife Golden Valley Leash Ordinance/Dog Park
(How we got here!)
1980 Plan for Wirth Park (Designated Master Plan) Wirth Lake/Picnic Area designated as a general recreation area for picnic, parking, trails, programming West of lake and East of creek, as edge areas with less development
1980 Plan for Wirth Park
Visitation Theodore Wirth Park Visitation Estimates 2004-2008 Visit Estimates (1,000's) 450 440 430 420 410 400 390 380 370 360 350 340 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Year Theodore Wirth Park Data source: Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Park System for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
Senior population Teenagers Children Family groups Immigrant population Scuba diving (classes) Hikers In-line skaters Birdwatchers Anglers Cross-country skiers/teams Volleyball teams/players Canoeists Tennis players Bikers (off-road) Runners Swimmers Sunbathers Event participants Juneteenth Loppet Team Teenworks Heart of the Beast Summer Camps J.D. Rivers Garden user groups Concert goers MPRB educational program participants Church and school groups Picnickers Vendors/customers Permit holders Local hires/job seekers Commuters-auto and non-motorized Trail users Dog walkers Photographers Artists Nearby neighborhood residents
Common Themes/Goals Sustainability (environment, economic, equity) Helping People Connect with Nature Protecting and Enhancing the Natural Environment Improving Year Round Use Improving Water Quality Improving Circulation and Connectivity Improving Safety (real and perceived) Supporting Alternative Transportation Access Providing Maintainable Amenities and Facilities Remove/replace Rundown Amenities and Facilities Increased Visibility and Usage
Top 3 Needs Trail improvements and lake loop trail (17) Picnic improvements (6) Performance area (4) Top 3 Wants (less consensus) Water Related Improvements (10) and Functional Improvements (10) Trail (6) and Added/Improved Features (6) Natural environment (4) Increase Staffing (4)
Love it! Top Ten Facilities-High Support restrooms unreserved picnicking improved access from neighborhoods lake loop trail, biking and hiking trails pedestrian crossing improvements on Glenwood wayfinding, gateways, and I.D. signs, and interpretation of streetcar shelter fishing dock fitness and nature play facilities natural resource based recreation and protection of natural areas
Some Love! Facilities-High to Moderate Support reserved picnicking concessions or restaurant performance area canoe racks, shoreline access, water sports High: mountain bike nodes, bocce ball, geocache stations Moderate: course, kato (hard court volleyball), table tennis, horseshoes off-leash dog area composting area pavilion access spray pad or artistic water feature second bridge crossing on Bassett s Creek, bus stop enhancements
Not enough love! Facilities Low support Paddle Boat rental Traditional play features Pedestrian Bridge crossing over Glenwood Cable sports/ Cable Park Lower priority facilities are not being included in future concepts
Developing a Concept
Concepts A and B Concept A- Dual road and dispersed circulation Pavilion and boat ramp at creek/lake Concept B- Single new parking, reduced driving access More paths NW of lake
Land Use in Concepts A and B New Facilities concentrated in Recreation Open Space as per 1980 plan Amenity Open Space for nature and recreation
Amenity Review and Discussion Cable Park Tennis Court Dog Park (off-leash recreation area)
Feedback from Representatives/Groups Was there anything you heard from your reps that is new or different than what has been shared with the CAC to date?
Concept C Synthesis and Connectivity
Concept C Parking closer to road Facilities concentrated near the lake Concessions Picnic shelters Maint. facility Unifying lake promenade
Concept C-1C Parking extended to creek Lake walk/promenade extended
MPRB Comprehensive Plan Four Visions directly support our efforts: Urban Forests, Natural Areas and Waters Recreation Dynamic Parks A Safe Place Language: North/Northeast - calls for balance of destination spots Sustainability as a Value Statement Provide comparables in the system like N. Mississippi, Wabun, etc. and the importance of adding an amenity to this area of the city remind them of their charge
Beach Parking and Pavilion Access Both the beach parking lot and pavilion access route are part of the funding request in phases II and III. The Park Board will approve the proposed construction designs.
Discussion/Next Steps May 6 th Mtg = CAC Recommendations Public Hearing and Park Board approval Design Development (immediately ) Construction Documents/permits (summer 2010) Bidding construction (late summer 2010) Construction (fall 2010-fall 2011) Future Phases (pending funding 2012-13)