06-25-1990 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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CHAPTER 3 SHORELAND ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT Shoreland is being developed and redeveloped throughout the metropolitan area, causing concerns about public access to the lakeshores and degradation of the lakes and their shores. This chapter discusses the availability of shoreland access, trends in recreational use and development of the shoreland, and current shoreland management. FINDINGS Shoreland access People use shoreland for many recreational activities. Swimming, shore-fishing, and walking are enjoyed by many people, including those who are older, younger, handicapped, or unable to afford a boat. In winter, shoreland is used for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshocing. The DNR aixi the Metropolitan C outk U anticipate changes in overall participation for many recreational activities as the baby-boom generation ages.^ Significant increases in participation are expected for fishing, hiking, boating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Local governments generally are responsible for providing access to shoreland in the metro area. Counties and municipalities can purchase shoreland for parks, but many do not because they lack funds or favor development of valuable lakefront property to generate tax revenues. In 1974, the Legislature mandated a regional recreation open space system for the rnetropolii.in area. The Metropolitan Council plans for the regional park system and obtains state funding. Counties, cities, or park disuicts plan, own, and operate individual regional parks. Of the 54 existing and proposed regional parks and park reserves, all but three provide access to the shores of lakes or rivers.^ Some counties and cities have purchased large areas of lakeshore. For example, Minneapolis acquired most of the shoreland of the Chain of Lakes in the late 1800s and has preser/ed these areas as public parks. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is now studying the possibility of acquiring more property on the north shore of Cedar Lake. Other citie.s. such as Woodbury, arc also trying to purcha** shoreland for parks or have it set aside as a condition of development projects. Regional parks arc heavily used. The Metropolitan Council estimated the parks were vi.sitcd over 13 million times in 1988.^ Use of the regional parks has increased about seven percent annually from ^ Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, "Minnesota Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 1984-1989," 1985. 2 Metropolitan Council, "Regional Recreation Open Space Needs in the Twin Cities Metrpolitan Aixa," 1988. 3 Grant Scholen and Arne Slefferud, "Regional Recreation Open Space System: 1988 Facility Inventory. Capacity Estimate, and System Infrastructure," Metropolitan Council, 1989.