02-25-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Rev. Aug 10, 2011 G. Air Quality/Noise: Describe any temporary or permanent air or noise pollution that will result from the development and use of the site and the impacts on adjacent land uses or land owners. The cove along the northern shore of Big Island Park has become a popular summer weekend gathering place for boaters from far and wide, who often tie their craft together. There are few if any similar shore locations on Lake Minnetonka where adjacent lakeshore homeowners would not be affected by the noise of revelers and bustle of boats coming and going. However, this level of activity is in stark contrast to the serene natural character of Big Island Park. Because of this potential disturbance, the northern edge of the Park is purposely untouched. No northern access points onto the island are planned as to ensure as much separation as possible from the two user groups. H. Archeology/ Ground Disturbances: Provide a description of current and previous land use and ground disturbances. Include available information concerning known or suspected archaeological resources within the park. Indicate if an archaeological survey has been previously completed for the park. The Park has a long history from Native American use, to early European settlers, to an amusement park in the early 1900s and then a Veterans Camp. There are numerous foundations in the park from both the amusement park and the Veterans camp period. The city has commissioned a Phase 1 Archeological survey for early 2019 funded by a grant from the state historical society. The intent is to use any information learned from the survey for interpretive signage and future education programs as well as to inform future improvements at the park. It is anticipated the park improvements will have minimal ground disturbances. The ADA trail improvements will follow the existing trail alignments for the majority of the site. If slight grade or alignment changes are necessary to establish an ADA accessible path, professional care will be taken to ensure the least amount of impact to the site. I. Historic Structures: List known historic buildings or structures located within the project area (i.e., individual properties or districts which are listed in the National Register or which meet the criteria for listing in the National Register). There are no structures in the park on the National Register. There are a couple structures of local historical interest. The visitor center (a former veteran’s camp cabin) an old fish cleaning shack from the veteran’s camp days and some of the foundations of the amusement park. The visitor center was recently restored by a volunteer group and will house some of the interpretive signage. The city is exploring the viability of restoring, moving or recreating the fish cleaning shack as part of the historical interpretation work.