Campostella Park Classification: Nature Area 14 acres Character: This park is an undeveloped, heavily wooded natural open space park located along the Cannon River, just to the southwest of Babcock Park and behind an industrial area. Development Considerations: Other than being part of the linear greenway and trail corridor along the Cannon River, the park will largely remain natural open space. The one exception is the possible development of an archery range if siting it at Lashbrook Park falls through for any reason. The limiting factor in this regard is the heavy vegetation, which may make this site less physically practical and more costly to develop for archery. Potential Development Costs to Optimal Level: None. (Trail development through the park is included under the cost estimate for trails.) Cannon River Campostella Park Adjacent Industrial & City Facility Uses Site Photo A.9
Central Park Classification: Neighborhood Park 3 acres Character: This park is adjacent to an old school site now owned by Carleton College. The park has a formal character, with symmetrical walkways leading to a central plaza space surrounded by ornamental gardens and open green space reminiscent of old town squares. The plaza space is large and lacks a focal point. The play area is still in good shape, but is a bit out of character for the site and seems retrofitted into the design. Site amenities also lack an overall sense of cohesive design character. The old school building is boarded up and the gravel parking lot detracts from the park atmosphere. Development Considerations: The park site remains a viable and important neighborhood park for this area of the city. It should be enhanced over time with amenities common to neighborhood parks as defined in Section 3. Possibilities in this regard include adding a basketball court, small picnic shelter, and lawn games area. The interrelationship between the park and the adjoining Carleton College property should also be considered as part of any improvement planning for the park. Potential Development Costs to Optimal Level: $50,000 to $100,000. Playground Ornamental Plants Carleton College Property Plaza Central Plaza Children s Play Area A.10
Char Carlson Park Classification: Conservation (Nature) Area 9 acres Character: The western side of the site is mainly an open area, with a mature stand of dense trees located on the eastern side. The park is essentially an open space surrounding stormwater detention ponds that have some aesthetic appeal, including an island with a mature oak tree. An asphalt trail runs along the eastern side of the pond and provides a scenic walkway with views of prairie, wetland, woods, and wildlife. Development Considerations: Completing the trail system and adding a couple of simple bench overlooks at select locations along the trail would allow park users to stop and enjoy the view. Additional landscaping along the western edge of the park would help screen future development on that side and help retain the natural appearance of the site. Potential Development Costs to Optimal Level: $50,000 - $60,000. Ho ney loc Dr. Je ffe rs on Ro ad ust Trail Ponds Oak Wooded Area Lawn View of Pond View of Pond, Vegetation & Wildlife A.11
Cherry Park Classification: Neighborhood Park Less than 1 acre Character: This is a small neighborhood park tucked back in a residential area. More recent upgrades include play equipment, a shelter structure, and an asphalt trail extending to the neighborhood street to the south. The asphalt trail separates the park space from residential property, though some of the residential lots could easily be confused as being part of the park. The park amenities lack a consistent character. Development Considerations: Updating site amenities with a more consistent character is recommended when replacement is needed. In addition, any additional development of this park should be considered in the context of the development of Way Park to ensure that duplication of amenities is limited. As such, improvements to this park should be very limited, with Way Park providing a higher level of service for this neighborhood area. Cherry St. Potential Development Costs to Optimal Level: $4,000 - $6,000. Shelter Trail Play equipment St. Olaf Ave. Park Trail Play Equipment Park Shelter A.12
Dresden Hill Park Classification: Neighborhood Park Less than 1 acre Character: This is a small neighborhood park located on a large hill near a dense area of housing. Park development is limited to play equipment, picnic tables, and benches. The play equipment is in acceptable condition, but is nearing the end of its useful life. Located on a hill, providing accessible routes to the playground equipment and park amenities will continue to be a challenge. The park amenities also lack a consistent character. Given the park s small size, it is substandard given the density of the housing in its service area. Development Considerations: The long-term future of this park is contingent upon whether a new neighborhood park is provided to the north, as defined on the System Plan. If that approach is taken, this park could be phased out of the system. If replaced, the City should consider selling the property and using the proceeds for development funding for the relocated park, which if properly located would more effectively service this area. Given this possibility, near-term investments into the park other than routine upkeep should be avoided. Potential Development Costs to Optimal Level: None. Play equipment Dresden Ave. View of Playground A.13