03-04-2019 Park Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

Rev. Aug 10, 2011 Project Site Evaluation: Description of the Environment and the Environmental Impact of the Proposed Project A. Present Land Use: Describe the present land use of the proposed project site. State the applicant’s ownership (fee title, easement, etc.). If property is to be acquired, will it be a high priority inholding or addition crucial to the use of, ecological integrity of, or access to an existing natural or scenic area? Address any other impacts the proposed project may have on the present land use of the project site or adjacent lands. Big Island Park is owned and operated by the City of Orono. It is a 56-acre passive recreational park with minimal existing facilities. The Park is intended to serve a dual role in preservation of the unique natural setting while offering the public a variety of passive recreational opportunities. The Park preserves a diversity of natural resources including maple-basswood forest, wetlands, and more than 1.4 miles of undeveloped Lake Minnetonka lakeshore providing ecological and passive recreational benefits for the Lake Minnetonka region and the state. Minnehaha Creek Watershed District partnered with city in the acquisition and initial development of the park and hold and easement over the park restricting/ designating the uses in the various portion of the park. The City and watershed developed a management plan for the park in 2011 that govern how the park is to be improved, preserved and maintained. The proposed project is in keeping with the easement and management plan. The proposed improvements, per the goals of the existing Big Island Park Management Plan, will have minimal impacts on the natural and cultural resources of the Park. B. Environmental Intrusions: Describe all man-made developments on, above, below or adjacent to the proposed project site, including buildings, utility poles and lines, roads, driveways, pipelines, sewer and water lines, fences, ditches, bridges, billboards, railroad tracks, and related structures or facilities. Explain how these intrusions, if any, might affect the use, protection, and enjoyment of the proposed project site and what measures will be taken to minimize any adverse impacts. All existing and future overhead power lines serving the park must be placed underground. The cost of placing the power lines underground can be included in this application. Docks: Two docks are currently provided at the main entry point of the Park along its southwesterly shore to allow for boating access. Located at the site of the boat landing that originally served the Big Island Amusement Park and later the Veterans Camp, they include a large floating dock suitable to accommodate large craft such as the historic steamer Minnehaha, and a parallel dock for smaller boats. No improvements are anticipated for the docks, resulting in minimal or no impact to the environment. Trails: Visitors enjoy more than 1-1/2 miles of informal grass/dirt trails that wander through woods and open meadows within the 56-acre Park. Beautiful vistas of Lake Minnetonka are encountered where the trails traverse the bluffs near the shore. A majority of the trail system is essentially unimproved, with just a few short segments of deteriorated pavement remaining from the amusement park era. The trails are not marked, but are easily followed. The main goal of the trail improvements is to make visiting the island park ADA accessible. By upgrading the existing trails to be ADA compliant, this goal will be accomplished. There will be minimal disturbance and impact on the natural and cultural resources. Only existing trail areas where slopes are greater than allowable for ADA access will be modified.