05-28-1996 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

f ' , ' i ;-» 1 Ji.,. > si H . TO: Park Commission Members FROM: Ron Moorse, City Administrator DATE:May 2, 1996 SUBJECT: Access to Lowr>‘ Woods Open Space Area There are two issues related to the provision of access to the Lowry Woods Open Space area. One is the type of access to be provided (vehicular versus pedestrian). The second is how the access is to be provided. Type of Access The decision on whether to provide vehicular or pedestrian access is based on who the city is trying to serve. Are we trying to serve those who are within walking distance, those within biking distance, or those within driving distance? Because there are a number of open space nature areas in and around Orono; some providing nature walk experiences superior to what would be provided by Lowry Woods, and also providing vehicular access and parking; it is not critical that Lowry W'oods serve those who would come to the area by car. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide for vehicular access and parking. Staff s recommendation is that the access to be provided to Lowry Woods should be pedestrian access. How to Obtain/Provide Pedestrian Access The attached map shows the Lowry Woods area. Although there are theoretically at least four possible access options, three of the options involve substantial use of a private road and/or require substantial easements across private property. One option would require an easement between two existing homes. There is one option that has minimum impact on residential properties, requires a minimum easement, and would have the minimum cost. This is the triangle of property adjacent to the southwest comer of the Lowry Woods parcel. It is staffs recommendation that a 20 foot easement for pedestrian access to the Lowry Woods Open Space area be pursued with the owners of the triangular parcel.