04-22-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Big Island Nature Park Management Plan November 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________ 22 Existing Recreation Facilities and Amenities 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. Bulkhead facilities are in place to allow for installation of two additional parallel docks if needed in the future. The docks are intended to be available specifically for boating access, and are not designed or suited to accommodate fishing, bathing or other activities. Signage was installed in 2009 prohibiting fishing from the docks. Shore fishing is allowed at the Park except within the designated swimming beach area. Trails. Visitors enjoy more than 1-1/2 miles of informal 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. Swimming Beach. A natural swimming beach approximately 200 feet in width is located along the southeasterly shore of the Park. The beach is enjoyed by Park visitors who arrive at the docks as well as recreational boaters who pull their watercraft up to the shore at or near the beach. The beach area is not improved, is not attended by a lifeguard, and is posted ―No Life Guard On Duty‖. Regulatory Signage. Signage that could be characterized as primarily regulatory in nature was installed at appropriate locations within the Park in spring 2009, addressing ‗No Fishing from Dock‘; ‗No Life Guard on Duty‘; ‗No Dumping Allowed‘; and general park rules & prohibitions. Demand for Facilities - Visitor Expectations Big Island Nature Park has been open for public use since 2006. Although no formal visitor counts have been performed, it has been observed by City staff and others that the number of visitors is relatively low during weekdays but increases on weekends, especially during periods of good weather. Special events or activities such as the Orono Schools‘ Big Island Summer Institute and the Minnehaha Big Island Weekend have brought numerous visitors to the Park on occasion. Informal use of the swimming beach area by the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School during weekdays has also resulted in additional use. However, no charter boats have made Big Island Nature Park a destination point, and the City has not sanctioned Big Island Nature Park as a port-of-call except for the Minnehaha, the Sailing School, and the Lake Minnetonka Water Taxi service. Most Park visitors arrive in individual boats. The typical length of stay has not been studied. Based on the number and types of inquiries received by City staff regarding Big Island Nature Park, a significant share of the general public appears to harbor certain expectations for its