04-22-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Big Island Nature Park Management Plan November 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________ 32 allowed to be replaced with nonbituminous materials such as crushed limestone or similar all weather surface capable of supporting handicapped access. The Conservation Easement allowed the existing partial concrete sidewalk/trail leading from the dock area up a steep slope to the south hill picnic shelter building, to be reconstructed and/or expanded within the existing trail corridor with concrete or similar material to prevent erosion on the steep slope and/or to provide handicap access to the pavilion building. Since that pavilion has been removed, the basis for trail reconstruction with bituminous or concrete materials may no longer exist. The portion of the trail system (20%) within the defined Recreation Area is subject to a somewhat less restrictive set of limitations. Existing trails may be maintained or improved but may not be widened, lengthened, or relocated without the prior written approval of the MCWD. Additional unpaved paths or foot trails may be established in the Recreation Area for recreational uses. Installation of benches or picnic tables along the trails is not anticipated due to maintenance and vandalism concerns. Motorized Vehicles Policy While motorized vehicles (automobiles, 4-wheelers, snowmobiles, etc.) are generally unable to directly access the Park during ice-free months, winter frozen lake conditions make the property readily accessible to automobiles as well as snowmobiles and other recreational conveyances. This accessibility is problematic in that, although the vestiges of old concrete or asphalt walkways remain, there are no paved roads or designated snowmobile trails in the Park. The topography and wooded character of the park are natural features which tend to be attractive to motorized recreational vehicle users. Uncontrolled use of motor vehicles within the park property could be expected to have severe detrimental effects on the natural features intended to be protected via the Conservation Easement. For these reasons, operation of motorized vehicles within the park property must be curtailed to the greatest extent possible. Upon acquisition of the property as parkland, the Big Island Nature Park became subject to Orono‘s general park ordinances, which have prohibited the use of motorized vehicles for many decades. Additionally, the regulations adopted by the City Council specifically for Big Island Nature Park via City Ordinance No. 74, 3rd Series on June 28, 2010 prohibit the operation and use of motorized vehicles in the park, with the exception that the City or its designees may utilize such vehicles as necessary for park operations, maintenance, emergency vehicles or handicap accessibility. Despite ordinances that prohibit motorized vehicles, ongoing vandalism activity suggests that motorized vehicles provide a level of winter access that enables such activity to occur The use of motorized vehicles on all platted streets on Big Island was prohibited by an action of the City Council in 1971, based on the inability of the City to provide adequate police to protect the public safety; the lack of ability for Orono to maintain and plow roads; and the lack of need of the public to use motorized vehicles on the island. While signage warning of this prohibition was subsequently placed on the platted rights-of-way on the island, the action was never documented by a formal resolution of the Council nor was it codified as a City ordinance. The action also did not prohibit use of motor vehicles on private property.