& SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Transcription

1 Chapter 6: IMPLEMENTATION, MANAGEMENT, & SUSTAINABILITY PLAN Overview The Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo Master Plan presents a long-term vision for the park. While phasing of improvements is suggested, Olmsted County Parks should remain flexible to respond to funding and partnership opportunities, as well as changing trends. The investments outlined in the plan have been organized into the following three phases: Short-term indicates that the project should be started in the next 1 to 5 years due to sensitive resources, desire for use, or the improvement needs to happen before another project. Mid-term indicates that the project should be started in the next 6 to 15 years. These projects may be just as important as Short-term projects, but they may be more expensive or more planning needs to be completed before they can be implemented. Long-term or Visionary projects are those that will be completed after 16 years. These are projects that may be difficult to complete due to land ownership, funding, or community support. More planning will need to be done in the next decade in order to determine if these projects will become reality. DRAFT Implementation, Management, & Sustainability Plan 39

2 Figure 11. Park-Wide Priorities Coordinate with Adjacent Landowners for Water Quality Enhancement Protect: - Forest - Karst Protect: - Rare Plants DEVELOPMENT AREA SEE ENLARGED MAP Protect: - Rare Plants Overlook Coordinate with Adjacent Landowners for Water Quality Enhancement Evaluate River Stability Long Term Bridge Replacement Protect: - Forest - Karst - Rare Plants Realign CR 105 to Create Contiguous Zoo Boundary LEGEND Short Term Mid Term Long Term Ongoing or when opportunity arises Realign CR 105 for Intersection Safety Enhance Park Buffer & Protect From Development Given Landowners Want to Sell Improve Safety of CR 105 With Guardrail, Signage, Curb, Etc. Potential On-Leash Dog Trail Loop with Parking Lot Future Trail Loop and Parking Lot with Land Acquisition 40 Oxbow Park + Zollman Zoo Master Plan DRAFT

3 Figure 12. Priorities for Development Area * * Canoe & Kayak Launch Group Picnic Group Picnic Group Picnic Sand Volleyball Event/ Expanded Parking (Shoulder) * Upgrade Bridge Event/ Expanded Parking (Turf) Reconfigured Maintenance Yard Expanded Parking (+31) Nature Center Expansion Bus Drop Off ADA Paved Trail Loop * Upgrade Bridge Shelter & Restrooms Playfield Woodland Edge Realign County Road 105 New Access New Seasonal Group Camp New Campground & Trails Restore Realign Access Restore Doc s House LEGEND Short Term Mid Term Long Term Ongoing or when opportunity arises DRAFT Implementation, Management, & Sustainability Plan 41

4 Operations & Maintenance It is envisioned that management and operations will be primarily the responsibility of the Olmsted County Parks Department, in coordination with several existing and future volunteers, including the Friends of Oxbow. MANAGEMENT The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners establishes policies and goals for its park system and through an annual budget provide capital and operational funds for parks and trails. GENERAL OPERATIONS Olmsted County Parks Department staff will be responsible for the operation of Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo. Where there are opportunities for operational partnerships, Olmsted County will enter a joint powers agreement with partner agencies. When possible, the County will encourage and advocate for volunteers to assist with improvements, outdoor education programs, patrol, park clean-ups and special events. This will primarily be accomplished through existing partnerships with Friends groups. OPERATING HOURS The park hours will be according to Olmsted County park ordinances or policies. Campgrounds are open 24 hours during the camping season. MAINTENANCE Regular maintenance activities for the park will include: Mowing Trash collection Tree trimming Winter road and trail clearing Trail repair and erosion control Bridge repair Sign maintenance Park facility repair and maintenance PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT There are several paved roads and parking areas within the Olmsted County Park system. Pavement deteriorates as it ages. Regular pavement maintenance can prolong the surface s lifespan in a cost effective manner. The Olmsted County Public Works Department will work with the Parks Department to manage the paved areas in the parks. 42 Oxbow Park + Zollman Zoo Master Plan DRAFT

5 ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY Visitors will be informed of park and trail rules and regulations through postings at park facilities and strategically located signs that address specific information about hours, trails, permitted and prohibited activities, and directions. Local law enforcement and public safety agencies will be responsible for emergency and criminal complaints within the trail. Parks have onsite caretakers that manage security during the non-staffed park times. CONFLICTS Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo is compatible with surrounding, primarily rural agricultural land uses. Minor conflicts will occasionally arise from private property owners or neighboring residents sensitivity to park recreation or maintenance uses. Olmsted County will work with individual landowners to resolve these issues case by case as the park is developed and expanded. PUBLIC SERVICES There may be a need for increased public services when development of park facilities occurs. In order to use sustainable building materials and methods, options such as solar powered lighting and self-composting toilets will be considered. Stormwater will be treated on site. DRAFT Implementation, Management, & Sustainability Plan 43

6 Programming, Marketing, & Evaluation PROGRAMMING PLAN Olmsted County Parks provide many programming opportunities. Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo cater to school groups of all ages with environmental and animal related educational classes and tours while Chester Woods Park provides many environmentally and seasonally focused classes aimed at bringing families and people of all ages into the natural area and familiarizing them with activities and resources in the outdoors. The Friends groups assist County Parks staff with programs, and the existing program schedule will likely remain at its current capacity for the near term future. Potential future programming of the park may be associated with the expansion of the Nature Center. Programming at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo offers a wide range of opportunities for families, schools, and other groups. In 2015 there were 5,315 participants in school and group classes and 3,748 in public program participants. There are more than a dozen group classes with topics related to specific zoo or nature center animals; general environmental education like life cycles or animal classification, and scavenger hunts. In addition, public programs are offered most Saturdays on a wide range of topics depending on the season. Examples include geocaching, night hikes, bee keeping, invasive species, paddling, seed collecting, hibernation, wildflowers, fall colors, and winter adaptations. MARKETING & PUBLIC AWARENESS Olmsted County will promote use of the park through their websites, media promotions, Public Service Announcements, brochures, and public events and meetings. Olmsted County Parks Staff regularly participate in radio broadcasts and have stories in the local media frequently throughout the year. Public awareness is also achieved through its partnerships with local institutions including schools, scouting groups, youth organizations, etc. RESEARCH PLAN Olmsted County will participate in the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission research initiatives (visitation counts, use profiles, recreation demands, and trends surveys, etc.) as these programs are developed over time. The County may continue to monitor park use and conduct more surveys or questionnaires in line with the physical development of elements within this park master plan. 44 Oxbow Park + Zollman Zoo Master Plan DRAFT

7 Funding Funding for initial capital cost and ongoing operations and maintenance costs is essential for a successful regional park. Funding will be primarily the responsibility of Olmsted County, including donations acquired at Zollman Zoo and potential large donations from local business and landowners. There will be an emphasis on seeking outside funding in the form of grants. Costshare roles will be determined by the strengths of each agency and circumstances of each project. In-kind contributions of land, easement, design, engineering, construction and maintenance and operations are encouraged and will be outlined in joint powers agreements among agencies. It is anticipated that most future capital projects will be well positioned to secure regional, state and federal funds for recreation, transportation, water and habitat and that these sources will account for a majority of capital construction costs. Examples of outside funding sources include: Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds Foundations and nonprofits Statewide Health Improvement Program Funding for operating and maintaining the park and trail facilities will be the County s responsibility. Annual operating costs will be funded through Olmsted County s annual budget. PARTNERSHIPS Olmsted County Parks currently partners with Friends groups to provide park services and maintenance. Other partnerships, where applicable, will be sought with other agencies. COST ESTIMATES The cost estimates indicate projected capital costs for various development proposals listed in this plan. The cost estimates are planning level and do not reflect construction level documents, nor do they include design and engineering costs (approximately 15-20% of capital cost). DRAFT Implementation, Management, & Sustainability Plan 45

8 Table 2. Development Concept Capital Cost Estimate Short Term Action Number Unit* $ Per Unit Total Cost Notes Build New Paved Parking Lot 1 LS $75,000 $75,000 New Bus Drop Off south of existing parking lot 500 LF $225 $112,500 Restore Doc s House 1 LS $50,000 $50,000 Realign County Road LS $332,500 $332,500 Build New 24 Street 1,500 LF $225 $337,500 Add User Amenities (benches, trash/recycling, lighting) 1 Set $30,000 $30,000 SHORT TERM SUBTOTAL $937,500 Updated Parking at Nature Center; staff estimate based on 24 street cost with curb and gutter Large Turn Near Zoo; Engineer s estimate, includes culverts Includes curb and gutter Around expanded Nature Center/Zoo Parking Area Mid Term Action Number Unit* $ Per Unit Total Cost Notes Expand Existing Nature Center 1 LS $500,000 $500,000 Safety Improvements on CR LS $112,000 $112,000 Signs, Curb, and Guard Rails; Engineer s estimate Build new Bath House for Relocated Campground 1 EA $105,000 $105,000 Reconfigure Maintenance Yard 1 LS $10,000 $10,000 Includes cost of new well for $30,000 Build New 8 Bituminous Trail 6,600 LF $60 $396,000 Paved ADA Trail New Campground Sites 9 EA $5,000 $45,000 First Loop, includes clearing, grading, turf grass, parking spot, fire pit Build new Picnic Shelter 3 EA $40,000 $120,000 Group Picnic sites near river; 20 x20 shelter with concrete pad, picnic tables, trash/ recycling, grills Build New Sand Volleyball Court at Group Picnic site 1 LS $5,000 $5,000 Build New 6 Gravel Trail 2,000 LF $10 $20,000 New on-leash dog loop in southeast Build New Paved Parking Lot 10 Space $3,500 $35,000 Adjacent on-leash dog loop Add User Amenities (benches, trash/recycling, lighting) 1 Set $30,000 $30,000 MID TERM SUBTOTAL $1,388,000 In on-leash dog loop area 46 Oxbow Park + Zollman Zoo Master Plan DRAFT

9 Long Term Action Number Unit* $ Per Unit Total Cost Notes Realign County Road LS $113,750 $113,750 Replace bridges 3 EA $225,000 $675,000 Build New Overlook 1 LS $30,000 $30,000 New Campground Sites 16 EA $5,000 $80,000 Build Playfield in Center of Campground 1 LS $2,000 $2,000 Build New Canoe/Kayak Launch 2 LS $5,000 $10,000 Build New Seasonal Group Camp Area 1 LS $80,000 $80,000 Build New 6 Gravel Trail 3,000 LF $10 $30,000 Build New Paved Parking Lot 10 Space $3,500 $35,000 Add User Amenities (benches, trash/recycling, lighting) 1 Set $30,000 $30,000 LONG TERM SUBTOTAL $1,085,750 Change Intersection With County Road 5, Engineer s estimate, includes culverts Includes removal of old bridges and grading for accessibility East side of park by Doc s House Completion of campground with outer loop Includes parking, vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, Expanded on-leash dog trail in southeast in park expansion area Adjacent to new onleash dog trail in southeast in park expansion area In new on-leash dog trail parking area * LS is Lump Sum, LF is Linear Feet, EA is each, AC is acres $937,500 SHORT SUBTOTAL $1,388,000 MID SUBTOTAL $1,085,750 LONG SUBTOTAL $3,411,250 TOTAL DRAFT Implementation, Management, & Sustainability Plan 47

10 Table 3. Natural Resource Recommendations Cost Estimate Olmsted Parks Natural Resource Recommendations and Costs Develop clear vision, goals, and strategies for park management Continue to survey and document native plant communities and rare flora and fauna Ensure protection of existing rare species, especially Goldenseal and Handsome Sedge (both listed as endangered species in Minnesota) Continue to support and enhance exceptional pollinator habitat in North Prairie Continue invasive shrub management in forests and woodlands, particularly along the edges Flag and protect native tree and shrub species in areas of invasive shrub management Manage reed canary grass along nature trail area and ash seepage swamps Remove planted pine and spruce groves and consider uses for local timber source. Replace planted conifers with native tree and shrub species Restore floodplain forest along river corridor where feasible Review river corridor for restoration and habitat enhancement opportunities Staff Hrs Staff Costs ($75/hr) Consultant Hrs Consultant Costs ($130/hr) 24 $1,800 8 $1, $1, $5,200 4 $300 $- 8 $600 $- 60 $4,500 $- 8 $600 $- 16 $1,200 $- 24 $1,800 $- 40 $3, $2, $1, $3,120 Review all spring creeks and drainage ways for stability 24 $1, $5,200 Gully stabilization with trail crossing is needed at three locations along west boundary Upstream storage needed at locations of gullies and trail crossings. Consider CWF grants and working with SWCD to install retention basins Support and promote river fishing by improving access and in-stream habitat 60 $4, $45, $4, $5, $3,000 8 $1,040 Support and promote local birding interests 16 $1,200 $- Plant fruit bearing shrubs to support wildlife 40 $3,000 $- SUBTOTALS 468 $34, $68, Oxbow Park + Zollman Zoo Master Plan DRAFT

11 Const./ Mat. One-Time Periodic Annual Notes $2,840 Internal meetings, develop consensus on strategies $6,400 request dnr support as alternate to consultant fees or have staff do it $300 $2,000 $2,600 $2,000 $6,500 $600 $500 $1,700 $5,000 $6,800 implement patchy removal of aged conifers every few years $10,000 $15,080 periodically implement small forest restoration areas $4,920 $7,000 $180,000 $230,000 Partner with SWCD, Pursue CWF $80,000 $89,700 Not including land cost/easements, Partner with SWCD, Pursue CWF $4,000 $8,040 $1,200 $3,000 $6,000 Partner with SWCD $286,500 $325,040 $56,140 $5,800 DRAFT Implementation, Management, & Sustainability Plan 49

12 OXBOW PARK & ZOLLMAN ZOO MASTER PLAN