04-22-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Big Island Nature Park Management Plan November 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________ 23 potential uses and amenities. Those expectations include basic sanitation facilities, picnic facilities including tables and grills, the ability to have bonfires, and opportunities for large group events. One possible reason for these presumptions may be the mere fact that it is called a ‗Park‘ and is located in a prominent public location easily accessible via a provided dock. Additionally, some members of the public may view this as a regional facility that they expect will provide the type of amenities they would find at a typical Three Rivers Park District or MnDNR park. Finally, the history of use of the property as a Veterans Camp for more than eight decades has ingrained into past visitors and their families that this is a campground, with all the associated recreational features. There are a number of actual recent examples of how the limited physical facilities provided in the Park impact potential recreational users: - During 2009 the operators of the Minnehaha steamboat determined that regular scheduled visits to the Island would not be feasible due to the lack of toilet facilities on the Island, as their scheduling would only allow for stops at 4-hour intervals. - After the south pavilion burned to the ground in January 2011, the City concluded that the remaining north pavilion building should be removed due to ongoing vandalism. This resulted in no remaining facility being suitable for the Big Island Summer Institute, and Orono Schools has discontinued that program. - The City regularly receives requests to allow weddings and corporate picnic events at the Park. The lack of sanitation facilities coupled with the provisions of the Conservation Easement and City prohibitions on alcohol use, sound amplification, open fires, and exclusive use of facilities, combine to make it infeasible to hold such large group events. For all the reasons documented in this Management Plan, Big Island Nature Park is not intended to provide the level of facilities and amenities that some members of the public may desire. Managing public expectations will continue to be a critical factor in successful management of Big Island Nature Park. Proposed Facilities Development Docks. Bulkheads and concrete aprons are in place to provide for two additional docks at the main entry point of the Park. The need for installation of additional docks is dependent on future levels of demand for boat access to the Park. Installation of a designated fishing dock is not proposed and has not been requested by the public. Future consideration for a fishing dock must take into consideration a suitable separation distance from the main entry docks and provisions to eliminate conflicts with boaters. Trails. Because the trails are located mainly within the Natural Area defined by the Conservation Easement, future improvements to the existing trails will be limited to addition of limestone or crushed gravel in selected areas where necessary to provide a stable walking surface.