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31 <br />Appendix XX <br />Big Island <br />In order to achieve the level of management needed to operate Big Island Park successfully, the <br />City has created and adopted the Big Island Nature Park Management Plan, November, 2011. The <br />Plan’s Vision Statement establishes the following Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives for Big <br />Island Nature Park: <br /> <br />Mission <br />The mission of Orono’s Big Island Park is to provide safe and enjoyable passive recreational and <br />educational opportunities for visitors while preserving the natural, cultural and physical resources of the <br />site. <br /> <br />Vision <br />Big Island Park on Lake Minnetonka is a serene natural refuge on an island surrounded by an intensely <br />used recreational lake. Accessible only by water or ice, it is characterized by open and wooded hills, <br />wetland areas, and steep bluffs. Historically, a succession of diverse recreational uses has been <br />accommodated on the property, and the remnants of those uses add to the character and mystique of the <br />site. Through mutual collaboration between the City of Orono and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed <br />District, Big Island Park will be preserved, maintained and improved as a passive recreational, ecological <br />and educational asset to the Lake Minnetonka community and its visitors. <br /> <br />Overall Goal for the Park <br />Achieve an appropriate and responsible balance between the recreational use, protection and interpretation <br />of the biological, physical and cultural resources of the park. <br /> <br /> <br />Specific Goals and Objectives/Policies <br /> <br />Goal 1. Manage the Park in a manner consistent with its identity as a Natural Passive Recreation <br />Area <br />The City will: <br />● Maintain the Park as a nature and wildlife preserve within the guidelines established in the <br />Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Conservation Easement while encouraging and allowing only <br />minimal impact recreational and educational uses <br />● Provide only facilities and amenities that are compatible with the level of recreational and <br />educational activities intended for the Park <br />● Provide an inviting impression of the natural character of the Park by planning and <br />implementing shoreline and point-of-access improvements, regular maintenance and provision of tasteful <br />directional or informational signage at strategic locations <br />● Protect the natural scenic quality of the Park as viewed from internal and external locations <br />● Define and constantly reinforce the unique character of the Park with every decision and <br />communication related to the Park