Citizen Advisory Committee: Wirth Lake Area Plan CAC MEETING #1

Welcome and Introductions

Andrea Weber Project Manager Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Phone: 612-230 230-6466 Email: aweber@minneapolisparks.org Jennifer Ringold Public Engagement and Citywide Planning, Manager Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Phone: 612-230 230-6464 Email: jringold@minneapolisparks.org

How did we get here? CAC formation and charge Notification 3 block mailing + neighborhoods, elected officials Notice in StarTribune News release to local papers News release to Golden Valley s email notification list Announcement on MPRB Website

CAC Charge: To advise staff and consultants on park visitor interests in the development of schematic designs that update the 1980 Existing Conditions and Long Range Improvement Plan for Theodore Wirth Regional Park for the section of the park bound by Theodore Wirth Parkway (west), Highway 55 (north), rail line (east) and Glenwood Avenue (south), and the portion south of Glenwood Avenue designated as Picnic Area in the 1980 plan. These designs are to include a destination family picnic area, trail connections, education programming, recreation and maintenance facilities that will draw people to the park and connect people to its recreational and natural resources.

CAC Composition: Appointing entity or person No. of People President of the Board (This appointment will be the chairperson) 1 Each Park Commissioner (not including president s appointment) 8 Mayor of Golden Valley 1 Bryn Mawr Neighborhood 1 Harrison Neighborhood 1 Northside Residents Redevelopment Council 1 Ward 5 Minneapolis Council Member 1 Ward 7 Minneapolis Council Member 1 Youth Coordinating Board (Youth) 3 Mayor of City of Minneapolis 1 Total 19

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Vision Statement In 2020, the Minneapolis park system is a premier destination that welcomes and captivates residents and visitors. The park system and its beauty are part of daily life and shape the character of Minneapolis. Natural, cultural, artistic, historical, and recreational resources cultivate outstanding experiences, health, enjoyment, fun, and learning for all people. The park system is sustainable, wellmaintained, and safe. It meets the needs of individuals, families, and communities. The focus on preserving land continues, with a strong emphasis on connecting people to the land and each other. Aware of its value to their lives, residents are proud stewards and supporters of an extraordinary park and recreation system.

Project Overview

Wirth Lake Area Plan, Design, and Construction Develop an area plan (focusing on the Wirth Lake area) that brings the pieces of past planning efforts together to showcase the park. Refine and implement previously planned beach improvements; Enhance picnicking and recreation on the east side of Wirth Lake; and Connect the Wirth Lake area to the rest of Wirth Park and the surrounding region promote the beach area as a gateway to the rest of Wirth Park. Protect and enhance natural systems in the Wirth Lake Area

Wirth Park

Wirth Lake Project Area

Project Schedule Phase II construction project 2010 Wirth Lake Area Planning Project kick-off March 2010 CAC and TAC process March-April 2010 Public hearing at Park Board May 2010 Phase II & III Design and cost estimates March-June 2010 Advertise for bids August 2010 Award bids and start construction Sept. 2010 Finish construction of 2009 grant June 2011 Finish construction of 2010 grant Dec. 2011

380.1 96.7 24.8 234.8 1915.5 2008 Regional Visition Estimation (1,000's) 876.8 339.6 1627.4 74.4 733.5 30.2 Cedar Lake RT Central Mississippi Riverfront RP Columbia Parkw ay RT Kenilw orth RT Luce Line RT Minneapolis Chain-of-Lakes RP Minnehaha Parkw ay RT Mississippi Gorge RP 1126.8 Minnehaha RP Nokomis-Hiaw atha RP North Missisippi RP 1342.2 5115.2 Ridgew ay Parkw ay RT St Anthongy Parkw ay RT Theodore Wirth RP 1524.4 Vicotory (Wirth) Memorial Parkw ay RT Data source: Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Park System for 2008

Theodore Wirth Park Highlights Theodore Wirth Park Visitation Estimates 2004-2008 Visit Estimates (1,000's) 450 440 430 420 410 400 390 380 370 360 350 340 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Year Theodore Wirth Park Data source: Annual Use Estimate of the Metropolitan Regional Park System for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008

Theodore Wirth Park Highlights Transportation: 3% Walk, ran or inline skates 3% Bicycle 90% Drove or road in a vehicle 10% 10% Primary Activity (N=30) 17% 3% 17% Walking/hiking Biking Sw imming Picnic Jogging, Running Race/Ethnicity (N=30) by Percentage of Visitors 30% Sunbathing Relacing 70% 60% 50% 70% 3% 7% 20% Fishing Other 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% White or Caucasian 10% Black or African American 0% American Indian 13% Asian 3% Hispanic Data source: Metropolitan Council Regional Parks and Trails Survey 2008

The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) will have the following roles and responsibilities: Provide input on the park design Help define the issues. Assist in identifying alternative improvement strategies. Review plan concepts and provide input on major study decisions. Relate experiences pertinent to the Wirth beach area. Provide two-way communication between the project team and the community. Link the project team to residents and businesses. Communicate study findings to neighborhoods. Bring neighborhood comments to the project team. Provide guidance to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board on the final design recommendations, and ensure that the full range of local issues area addressed.

Subconsultants Larry Wacker, ASLA Project Manager Sanders Wacker Bergly, Inc. Landscape Architects and Planners Phone: 651-221 221-0401 Email: lwacker@swbinc.com Mark Apfelbacher Sustainable Solutions Collaborative Design Group Architectural Design SEH Shoreline Stabilization/Restoration U.S. Aquatics Design of Pool/Spray Features McGhie & Betts Environmental Planning and Wetland Delineation Hess Roise Historical and Cultural LKPB Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

What is sustainability?

Sustainability as Defined by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Sustainability means meeting current park and recreation needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by balancing environmental, economic, and equity concerns.

Sustainability as Defined by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Environment Sustain and enhance parklands, waters, and urban forests. Economic Develop short-term and long-term financial stability of the park system. Equity Provide residents with the opportunity to improve their quality of life and well-being through outstanding parks and recreation services that are suited to their respective needs.

Basic Components of Sustainability People Planet Profit Social Environment Economics Equity Ecology Economy

But what exactly is sustainability all about and how does it relate to Wirth Park? What is our role in helping move Wirth Park toward sustainability?

A Tree as a Metaphor for Sustainability Planning Source: fulltable.com Narrow minded arguments can arise when we focus only on details (the leaves of a tree), rather than focusing on the interconnections ions of the system (the leaves, branches, and trunk).

Nothing Disappears First Law of Thermodynamics and the Conservation of Matter and Energy

Everything Tends to Disperse Second Law of Thermodynamics The Law of Entropy

Core Human Needs Safety Leisure / Participation Understanding Subsistence / Creativity

The Natural Step: Four Conditions of Sustainability 1. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to the systematic accumulation of materials from the earth s s crust. Why? Mining of hazardous materials and burning fossil fuels release substances that stick with us for a very long time. Cells cannot handle significant amounts of these substances.

How can we address Condition #1 in Wirth Park? Conserve and efficiently use energy generated from fossil fuels and use renewable sources of energy when possible Promote multi modal transportation: consider public transportation, bikes, pedestrians Recycle mined materials (aluminum cans, equipment)

2. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to the systematic accumulation of substances produced by society. Why? Many of the substances we create spread and bio- accumulate Cells cannot handle significant amounts of these substances DDT, PCBs, etc..

How can we address Condition #2 in Wirth Park? Substitute persistent and unnatural compounds with ones that are abundant and breakdown easily. Use all substances produced by society efficiently. Promote the use of green cleaning supplies. Consider alternatives to hazardous pesticides.

3. Reduce and eventually eliminate our contribution to the systematic degradation of nature. Why? Naturally productive ecosystems provide us with the material we need to survive. Ecosystems purify the planet and make the planet habitable. If we destroy nature we will destroy countless forms of life and eventually humans.

How can we address Condition #3 in Wirth Park? Exercise caution in the modification of nature. Use all resources efficiently (reduce, reuse, recycle). Use land efficiently protect existing natural areas and efficiently use developed areas.

4. Reduce and eliminate our contribution to conditions that undermine people s s ability to meet their basic needs. Why? When we have unsafe, unhealthy working conditions, we don t t have affordable housing, etc. people do what they can to survive.they use and sell endangered resources, fight for neighboring resources, etc.

How can we address Condition #4 in Wirth Park? Provide opportunities to meet basic human needs. Ensure a safe and healthy environment. Promote public involvement in decisions affecting the park.

Hitting the Walls of the Funnel A Sustainable Wirth Park

Examples of Standards and Indicators Standards, constructs, and indicators help us implement and measure actions that move us toward sustainability. GreenStep Cities Global Reporting Initiatives B3: Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond LEED Standards Sustainable Sites Initiatives Minneapolis Indicators

BLUE&GREEN Meeting your Sustainability Goals Understand Unique Project Goals Apply Your Sustainable Design Principals + Utilize Standards, Constructs and Indicators = Provide an Economic and Efficient Solution For Theo Wirth Park

BLUE&GREEN What is Park s Capability? Infiltration Retention Impermeable Basins

BLUE&GREEN What are Your Techniques? Low Maintenance Pavers Permeable Parking Lots Bio Swales Green Parking Water Management Park Utility

BLUE&GREEN Effective Solutions for Sustainability INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE WATER MANAGEMENT PARK USE Sustainable Design Comes in Many Forms Lets find out what they are!

General Analysis of the Wirth Lake Area

Existing Natural Features / Conditions

Existing Circulation / Recreation Facilities

Existing Utilities

Who are the park visitors and project stakeholders? (discussion)

Phase III issues, opportunities, goals and objectives