11-24-2025 - Agenda Packet Cc - Work Session

Home Browse Search

The 2050 Regional Parks and Trails System Plan Map is depicted in Figure 1. Orono should consult the complete 2050 Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan in preparing its local comprehensive plan. In addition, your community should consult Imagine 2050 and the current version of the Met Council's Local Planning Handbook for specific comprehensive plan requirements. 2050 Regional Parks and Trails System Units The Regional Parks and Trails System comprises four main types of units: regional parks, park reserves, special features and regional trails. • Regional parks contain a diversity of natural features, either naturally occurring or restored, and are typically 200-500 acres in size. Regional parks accommodate a variety of outdoor recreation activities. In 2024, a total of 46 regional parks are open to the public. • Park reserves, like regional parks, provide for a diversity of outdoor recreation activities. One major distinguishing feature is that the minimum size for a park reserve is 1,000 acres. Additionally, regional park implementing agencies are required to manage at least 80% of the park reserve as natural lands that protect the ecological functions of the native landscape. As of 2024, a total of 12 park reserves were open to the public. • Special features provide opportunities not generally found in the regional parks, park reserves, or trail corridors. Special features often require a unique managing or programming effort. As of 2024, there are eight special features open to the public. • Regional trails: The Met Council has defined two major types of trails to serve the region: destination or greenway trails and linking trails. Destination or greenway trails typically follow along corridors with high -quality natural features that make the trail itself a destination. Linking trails are predominately intended to provide connections between various Regional Parks and Trails System units. As of 2024, 56 regional trails totaling approximately 487 miles were open for public use. 2050 Regional Parks and Trails System Components The 2050 Regional Parks and Trails Policy Plan identifies five components which together comprise the vision for the Regional Parks and Trails System in 2050, as described below. • Existing Regional Parks and Trails System facilities are open for public use and include land that is owned by regional park implementing agencies. They may include inholding parcels within the boundaries of these parks and trail corridors that have not yet been acquired. Existing regional trails may include planned segments that will be developed in the future. • Planned Regional Parks and Trails System facilities (not yet open to the public) have a Council -approved long-range plan and may be in stages of acquisition and development but are not yet open for public use. • Regional Parks and Trails System boundary adjustments include general areas identified as potential additions to existing Regional Parks and Trails System facilities to add recreational opportunities or protect natural resources. Specific adjustments to park or trail corridor boundaries have not yet been planned. • Regional Park and Special Feature search areas include general areas for future regional parks and special features to meet the recreational needs of the region by 2050 where the regional park boundary has not yet been planned. • Regional trail search corridors include proposed regional trails to provide connections between Regional Parks and Trails System facilities where the trail alignment has not yet been planned. 2025 SYSTEM STATEMENT REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS 34 37