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Park Plan Update continued <br />January 27, 1998 <br />Page 2 <br />3.Provide neighborhood parks in the City's rural area. Although the current <br />Comprehensive Plan indicates two acre properties have their parks in their back <br />yards, the City's goals of preserving open space and providing an area for active <br />recreational activities may not be met by a subdivision of two acre lots. The Park <br />Commission recommends identifying undeveloped parcels in the rural area, <br />particularly in the northwest area of Orono between the Burlington Northern railroad <br />tracks and Watertown Road, that would both enable the preservation of open space <br />and provide an area for active recreational activities. <br />It is imfwrtant to identify parcels to be acquired for park purposes at an early point <br />for two reasons. First, properties in Orono are being developed quickly. If we do not <br />want to have the same situation in the rural area as we now have in Navarre (where <br />no land is available for parks), we need to identify parcels that meet the City's park <br />needs. Secondly, if the City identifies parcels for acquisition prior to development, <br />land developers will be aware of the City's plans prior to creating a development <br />plan, so the development plan can reflect the City's park plan and needs. The City <br />will then also be able to acquire at least a portion of the park land through the park <br />dedication ordinance at the time of subdivision. <br />% <br />4. Orono does not currently have a community park to serve as a recreational focal <br />point for the community--with ballfields. a picnic shelter and other amenities. If it <br />is determined that a community park could provide substantial benefits to the <br />community, a potential site would be a portion of the undeveloped property in the <br />southwest quadrant of Willow Drive and County Road 6. A park in this location <br />could take advantage of the wetland area as an amenity accessed by a trail. This park <br />could be connected to the City facilities, the Orono schools, the OBA ballfields, and <br />the Old Crystal Bay Road trail. <br />5. There is one residential parcel that protrudes into the middle of Hackbeny' Park. The <br />City should plan to acquire this parcel when it becomes available for acquisition. <br />6. Some of the City's park needs coincide with the goals of other agencies. Because <br />Orono does not have the financial or staff resources to accomplish large projects, the <br />City should take advantage of opportunities to partner with other agencies, such as <br />Hennepin Parks and the DNR, on projects that could meet shared park needs. <br />7. Trails to connect the community.