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Big Island Nature Park Management Plan November 2011 <br />____________________________________________________________________________ <br />10 <br /> <br />During 2006 the MCWD Conservation Easement was formally established and mapped. The <br />City Council authorized expenditures for burying power lines and replacement of the well. <br />A Hazardous Materials Inventory of the mess hall, cabins, and storage buildings on the <br />property was completed in preparation for demolition, and the historic significance and value <br />of the remaining buildings was considered prior to the decisions regarding their removal. <br /> <br />2008 Visioning Process <br />Orono‘s initial intent in purchasing the property was to keep it available for the public rather <br />than having it fall into private hands where it would likely have been developed into as many <br />as 7 or 8 individual recreational homesites. In February 2008 the City involved the Big Island <br />Committee and the City Council in a visioning process in which a number of questions were <br />asked of each participant about their perceptions, views and goals for the Park. The list of <br />questions included the following: <br />- What do you like about Big Island Park that should be preserved? <br />- What is unique about the Park (elements, characteristics, natural features)? <br />- Who uses the Park now and should continue to use it? <br />- Who else should be using it, or using it more? <br />- What activities should the Park support? <br />- What types of activities should not be allowed in the Park? <br />- What changes to the Park are needed? <br />- What services should be provided (restrooms, picnic table, docks, trails, interpretive <br />signage, etc.)? <br />- What services/amenities/improvements should be provided by other agencies in the <br />next 10 years? <br />- Describe what you want the Park to be like in 10 years. <br />A number of common themes emerged, through which the Big Island Committee formulated a <br />set of goals for management of the Park, focused on passive recreation in harmony with the <br />natural environment, and revising the Park‘s name to Big Island Nature Park. These goals are <br />listed below, and the policies for implementing them are included in the appropriate sections of <br />this Management Plan. <br />Big Island Nature Park Management Goals <br />1. Manage the Park in a manner consistent with its identity as a Natural Passive <br />Recreation Area <br />2. Implement environmentally sound and sustainable policies within the Park <br />3. Improve access to and mobility within the Park <br />4. Provide the level of recreational and service facilities necessary for safe public use of <br />the Park while limiting the need for intensive operation and maintenance activity <br />5. Allow for educational and service opportunities related to the biological, physical and <br />cultural resources of the Park <br />6. Promote a passive day-use recreation and natural area identity in the Park reinforced by <br />the design of facilities and amenities as well as by the establishment of rules and <br />regulations consistent with that identity <br />7. Recognize, acknowledge and embrace the special relationship that America‘s military <br />veterans have with the Park property, and encourage their use of the Park in a manner <br />consistent with its mission, vision and goals