Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary Spring 2012 draft for more information visit www.hkgi.com/projects/dakota
INTRODUCTION The Rosemount Greenway Master Plan portrays a vision to establish a greenway from the southeastern part of Lebanon Hills Regional Park through downtown Rosemount and east to Spring Lake Regional Park Reserve and the Mississippi River Regional Trail. Rosemount Greenway The Rosemount Greenway Master Plan emerged from the Dakota County Parks, Lakes, Trails and Greenways Vision, 2030, and the Dakota County Greenway Collaborative Guidebook. Dakota County envisions its greenways to provide multiple layers of benefits in water quality, habitat enhancement, recreation, and non-motorized transportation. The Mississippi River is one of the most significant natural landmarks in Dakota County. The river has attracted people for centuries and was the first location for human settlement in the City of Rosemount. Today, the most densely populated portion of Rosemount is 9 miles west of, and disconnected from, the river. This greenway master plan portrays a vision to establish link between downtown Rosemount and the river. The greenway will become a defining natural feature, the importance of which will grow as the surrounding landscape develops. Master Plan Purpose The master plan Provides strategic guidance for future greenway development Integrates recreation, transportation, natural resource management and improved water quality Provides recommendations for natural and cultural resource stewardship Identifies a greenway trail alignment, interpretive themes and design direction Recommend implementation strategies for land protection, development phasing, capital and operations budgets and funding. 1 Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2012
EXISTING CONDITIONS The greenway s 13 mile route is almost entirely within the City of Rosemount, with a small portion within Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. The greenway travels though large lot suburban and rural development patterns in the northwest to the historic and recently developed neighborhoods around downtown and then through the agricultural areas and industrial areas to the Mississippi River. Future residential development in Rosemount will alter the existing character of the mostly rural landscape, transforming it to a more suburban quality. Three miles of the greenway travels on Flint Hills Resources lands. This segment of the greenway will is expected to retain its open, rural feel and views of the Flint Hills refinery long into the future. Cultural Resources Central Park in downtown Rosemount Every place has a unique history with resources with which people have an emotional connection. Within the greenway corridor, there are parks, railroads, and important facilities like the Flint Hills Refinery that many people associate with the region. Though these resources are not considered historic by state or federal definitions, or simply have yet to be evaluated, they are an important part of the landscape to the people along the greenway corridor. There are other cultural resources recognized by the State Historic Preservation Oice within and around the Rosemount Greenway. Of note, there are several structures within older portions of Rosemount and many other structures near the community known as Rich Valley. There are several archaeological sites along the river valley as well. Most of these sites date from before the European arrival. The area s rich resources have attracted people for thousands of years: additional sites likely remain undiscovered in the corridor. Natural Resources The natural resources along most of the Rosemount Greenway are small and fragmented. The anchors of the greenway, Lebanon Hills Regional Park and the Mississippi River Corridor and Spring Lake Regional Park Reserve are the largest, and highest quality expanses of contiguous native plant communities. Smaller patches of higher quality wetland, woodland and prairie complexes are located around Horsehoe Lake and north of CSAH 42 between Highway 52 and Blaine Ave. Neighborhood street in Rosemount Natural areas in eastern Rosemount Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2012 2
North of McAndrews Road, the greenway trail will be on the east side of Dodd Blvd. South of McAndrews Road, the greenway trail alignment along Dodd Blvd. to be determined based on future feasibility study.
Rosemount Greenway Concept Plan
THE PLAN The Development Plan Development of the Rosemount Greenway hinges on a continuous, paved trail for nature-based recreation and non-motorized transportation. The trail is a connective feature linking recreation destinations (places people go for outdoor recreation), activity centers (gathering places along the trail), and trail connections. Design features that are signatures of Dakota County Regional Trails include: Follows natural resources and has a natural design signature Frequent access points at full service trailheads with restrooms, picnicking, water and vehicle parking (every 3-5 miles) and smaller, more frequent, neighborhood gateways between trailheads Paved trail that is plowed in winter Wayfinding is discussed as an important part in the Development Plan for the greenway. Above are concepts for a Gateway Landmark wayfinding element. Grade separated crossings at major roads Cultural and natural resource interpretation Wayfinding High quality furnishings at trailheads, gateways and rest areas Universal accessibility Utilizing sustainable building practices and materials Lighting where evening use is anticipated Trailheads will be located at major access points along the greenway. Rosemount Greenway at Horseshoe Lake Conceptual Cross Section Native Lakeshore Planting Greenway Trail Neighborhood park Neighborhood Gateway Parking Horseshoe Lake 5 Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2012
Source: jankegeneralcontractors.com AUSTIN BENCH RIDE BIKE LOOP CALLISTO BOLLARD Grade separated crossings will be used along the greenway to cross major roadways or railroads. Outdoor furnishings, such as benches, bike racks and lighting, will be placed conveniently along the greenway for resting and safety. Source: HKGi The Interpretive Plan The interpretive plan identifies an interpretive theme and sub-themes that provide a framework for cultural and environmental interpretive education. The plan recommends that the theme and subthemes be integrated into the greenway design and interpretive concentrated at trail heads and neighborhood gateways. Interpretive Theme From Early Waterways and Trails to Railroads and Highways: The current settlement of Rosemount is the result of key transportation networks and the fertile lands of the glacial outwash. Subthemes Movement of the People Historic Villages and Settlements Waves of Immigration Active Living - Counting the Benefits The Steeple Center in downtown Rosemount Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2012 6
The Stewardship Plan The linear nature of the Rosemount Greenway will require natural resource management strategies that are geographically targeted, cooperative, and realistic. The plan recommends restoration and protection eorts be focused on the trailhead locations, where there is the greatest opportunity for greenway users to see the results of activities, as well as building on and linking existing habitat preserves. Stewardship activities in the larger greenway corridor will need to be in cooperation with public and private landowners. All stewardship actions should be evaluated through the lens of sustainability is the stewardship eort sustainable over the long-term, from both an ecological and economic perspective. Habitat Investment Areas Rosemount Greenway Strategic Habitat Investment Diagram Strategic habitat investment would build on existing habitat preserves and, where feasible, connect them with natural habitat corridors. Pine Bend Blu SNA & Mississippi River Rosemount f Moderate quality lakes, wetlands, forests, prairies and native spacies exist among the cultivated landscape f Opportunity for protection and preservation as land develops f Large patches and corridor with high quality plant communities-wetlands, lakes, islands, blus and native species f Preserve and maintain Natural Habitat Corridor Habitat Preserve Urban Corridor with natural signature Adjacent natural area Moderate condition plant community f Native species present f Preserve for wildlife habitat Oak Savanna Treeline f Design oak savanna treeline as a windbreak along northern edge of greenway Moderate condition plant community f Native species present f Preserve for wildlife habitat Dakota County -Rosemount Interpretive Greenway Master Plan 7 Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2012 Flint Hills Resources to River corridor f Preserve 300 green corridor through rural industrial areas f Buer land uses and maintain water quality Spring Lake Park Reserve f Forest/Woodland, Shrubland and Prairie ecosystems with native species present throughout park f High quality plant communities along river f Preserve and maintain high and moderate quality plant communities
IMPLEMENTATION & MANAGEMENT Implementation will depend on multi-jurisdictional collaboration. Without continued coordination between the communities and agencies that the greenway travels through it is unlikely the greenway, as it is envisioned, will be built. While the 30 regional trail corridor will be the jurisdictional and operational responsibility of Dakota County, the larger greenway corridor will be governed in many ways depending on the situation and land ownership. As greenway segments are built, formal joint powers agreements between Dakota County and collaborating agencies will need to be established to outline specific agency responsibilities. These agreements will outline who has control over the trail right-of-way, as well as who will operate and maintain the trail and how they will do it. Similarly, responsibilities for land acquisition, construction, stewardship, operations and maintenance will depend on the particularities of each segment. Land Protection and Stewardship Dakota County s greenway concept expands the traditional concept of a corridor to include recreation, transportation, ecological, and water quality components in a 100-300 corridor. Because securing the entire width of the corridor it is not feasible, a dual approach to securing greenway lands is recommended. Land Protection - is protecting land essential to make the greenway usable to the public. For the Rosemount Greenway, this means securing lands needed for the trail corridor and trailheads. For land owned by other public agencies, Dakota County will need to permanently protect the trail corridor and trailheads for greenway trail use with easement or joint powers agreements. For land that is currently privately owned, the County will need to protect the trail corridor for public use. Land protection strategies include: park dedication, direct purchase with resale of land not required for the trail, permanent easements, land donation, bargain sale, life estate, and negotiations with cities and developers. Meadows Park Agricultural fields Land Stewardship - refers to the care of native landscapes and habitat within the wider greenway. Generally, Dakota County will not be the lead agency in stewardship activities outside of the 30 trail corridor, but will work as steward partners with local jurisdictions, agencies, and private landowners with funding and expertise. Flint Hills Resources Land Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2012 8
Phasing and Priorities Greenway segments have been prioritized as either first priority projects or second priority projects. It is anticipated that first priority projects will be built in advance of second priority projects but the Master Plan remains flexible so that any project can be implemented as partnership or funding opportunities arise. First priority projects are those that are needed to create a continuous, functional greenway experience. It is intended that recreation, water quality, and natural resource elements be integrated into the greenway at the time of initial construction. Second priority projects will enhance the greenway experience. These are things such as grade separated crossings and trailhead development. Funding Funding will also be a collaboration between the County, Cities, and other agencies as appropriate. Cost share roles will be determined based on 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 individual joint powers agreements between agencies. Rosemount Greenway Priority Projects It is anticipated that most future capital projects will be positioned to secure regional, state, and federal funds for recreation, water, and habitat, and that these sources will account for the majority of capital construction costs. In many Existing A First Priority Project Second Priority Project C B D E F G I H J L K O M P N Q R S T V W X Y AA Z DD CC BB EE 9 Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary 2012
Rosemount Greenway Priority Projects PROJECT PRIORITY POTENTIAL TRIGGERS/PARTNERS Segment 1: Lebanon Hills Regional Park to Downtown Rosemount A Lebanon Hills Gateway at 120th St W 2nd Greenway along Dodd Blvd (120th St W to Connemara B 2nd Trail) C Underpass at McAndrews Road 2nd D Underpass at Connemara Trail 2nd E Greenway from Connemara Trail to TH 3 Enhancements 1st F Gateway at Rosemount Community Center 1st G Underpass at TH 3 in downtown Rosemount 1st H Greenway from TH 3 to Central Park 1st I Trailhead at Central Park 1st Greenway Enhancements (Erickson Park to Meadows Park J 1st / Bonaire Path) Segment 2: Downtown Rosemount to Akron Ave K Gateway at St. Joseph's Catholic School 2nd L Gateway at Meadows Park 1st M Underpass at Bonaire Path 1st To be completed with development N Greenway from Bonaire Path to Akron Ave 1st To be completed with development O Gateway at Horseshoe Lake 1st To be completed with development P Gateway at wetland 1st To be completed with development Q Underpass at Akron Ave 1st To be completed with development Segment 3: Akron Ave to Hwy 52 R Trailhead at Future Athletic Complex 2nd S Greenway (Akron Ave to Bonaire Path) 2nd T Underpass at RR and Bonaire 2nd U NOT USED V Greenway (Bonaire Path to Blaine Ave) 2nd W Gateway at Blaine Ave 2nd X Grade separated crossing at Blaine Ave 2nd Y Greenway (Blaine Ave to Hwy 52) 2nd Segment 4: Along Vermillion River to Empire Township Z Greenway (Hwy 52 to Elhers Path) 2nd AA Greenway (Elhers Path to Highway 55) BB Underpass at highway 55 2nd CC Greenway (Hwy 55 to Mississippi River Regional Trail) 2nd DD Gateway at Mississippi River Regional Trail 2nd EE Trailhead at Spring Lake Park Reserve Existing 2nd To be completed with park / athletic complex cases, but not all, Dakota County, as the regional agency, will be in the best position to pursue outside funding. Examples of outside funding sources include: NPS Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Minnesota Department of Transportation Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Pollution Control Agency The Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment Watershed Management Organizations Foundations and Nonprofits State Health Improvement Program Funding for annual operating and maintenance costs for the 30 regional trail corridor and trailheads will primarily be the responsibility of Dakota County. Annual operating costs are funded though the Dakota County General Fund Budget and from Regional Park allocations from the Metropolitan Council. In situations where there are eiciencies in local jurisdictions performing maintenance and operations, Dakota County will enter into a joint powers agreement outlining responsibilities and cost sharing. Rosemount Greenway Master Plan Executive Summary2012 10
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