MISSISSIPPI GORGE REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board CAC MEETING #1 APRIL 23, 2018
AGENDA Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan CAC #1 01 / Welcome and Calling Circle 02 / Intros 03 / Group Agreement 04 / MPRB 101 and Racial Equity Action Plan 05 / Project Overview 06 / History of the Park and Recreation Trends 07 / Rehabilitation Discussion 08 / Q and A 09 / Public Comments, Community Engagement, and Next Steps 7:30pm: Adjourn
MPRB 101
4 What you should know about the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board MPRB is an independent government agency Founded in 1883 by act of the Minnesota Legislature 6700 acres of parks in 5 cities 146 park properties, 46 recreation centers Neighborhood and regional (state funded) parks 9 directly elected commissioners Direct taxing authority
6 What you should know about MPRB Funding MPRB is funded through a variety of sources: Property taxes in Minneapolis (18.5% of taxes collected) State and regional funds: bonding, lottery, and Legacy amendment Park dedication fees Outside grants and donations 20-Year Neighborhood Parks Plan (NPP20) agreement with City Annual budgeting process looks at general operating AND capital expenditures (physical park improvements) Detailed financial information is at minneapolisparks.org (search for budget )
7 Regional Park and Trail Equity Metrics Criteria Selection Criteria Community Characteristics Racially Concentrated Areas of Poverty Park Access Neighborhood Safety Regional parks and trails: capital project selection Park Characteristics Historic Investment Use Intensity ADA Considerations Natural Resources Trail Quality
8 Regional Park Equity Metrics
9 WHAT IS THE MPRB RACIAL EQUITY ACTION PLAN? It is an internal working document that will guide racial equity work for the next two years. It captures ongoing work from the past years, work that was initiated this year, and new initiatives. It establishes timelines, accountability, and performance measures for each action.
WHAT ARE THE FOCUS AREAS OF MPRB S RACIAL EQUITY ACTION PLAN? A. MPRB is committed to creating/developing/fostering a culture that values and advances racial equity. B. Minneapolis residents view the MPRB as an effective and inclusive government that engages all communities. C. MPRB workforce reflects the diversity of community across the breadth and depth of the organization. D. MPRB investments in contracting and procurement benefit our diverse community. E. The MPRB provides programs and services that are responsive and reflective of community needs.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
12 Project Overview: Why Master Planning is Needed The city has changed and is changing: demographics, recreation needs, community awareness, changing development patterns. The 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan set a vision for aligning the parks with community needs. Regional parks in the Minneapolis park system serve regional visitors as well as Minneapolis residents. As such, they are eligible for regional funding through the Metropolitan Council. A Master Plan has not been completed for the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park since 1982.
13 Regional parks are usually large in size and contain most of the natural areas in the Minneapolis park system. What is unique about this Master Plan? The Mississippi Gorge Regional Park sits in a NATIONAL RECREATION AREA and includes NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS This master plan will: Set budgets and priorities Guide capital improvement decisions Set a vision for operations and management
14 CAC Charge To advise MPRB staff and Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan consultants on preferred rehabilitation and recreation projects within the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park, considering historical, cultural, visual, social, ecological and park safety impacts on parkland and the adjacent Mississippi River. The Mississippi River Gorge CAC shall: Become knowledgeable about the project and its scope and advise MPRB staff and consultants throughout the planning process. Contribute to broad community engagement by acting as primary contact for the CAC s represented communities, and by enhancing the project s interaction with a wide range of stakeholders and stakeholder groups. Assist with ongoing communication of technical plan elements to the general public. Report back to appointers or appointing bodies, as requested, on the plan process, information presented, and possible recommendations. Make recommendations to the MPRB Commissioners on service area-wide vision, goals, and principles.
15 Roles CAC Chair: co-facilitate CAC process CAC Representative: voting member of CAC and expected to attend all CAC meetings General Public: invited to attend all CAC meetings and invited to participate in public conversations and activities at meetings MPRB Staff: project management, co-facilitation of CAC, fields questions, leads community engagement, collects and stewards community input, park and process design Consultant Planning Team: Working closely with MPRB staff on community engagement, park design and project management
HISTORY OF THE PARK And RECREATION TRENDS
18 Mississippi Gorge Regional Park History Settlement at Bohemian Flats
19 Mississippi Gorge Regional Park History Settlement at Bohemian Flats
20 Mississippi Gorge Regional Park History West River Parkway 1910 WPA-era stone stairway at Annie Young Meadow (ca. 1930s)
21 Mississippi Gorge Regional Park History Long Range Improvement Plan for the Mississippi River Lower Gorge approved in 1982 Park area included and addressed: East River Flats East Sand Flats Bridal Veil Falls East River Parkway Riverside Park Hadjuk Springs West sand Flats Prairie Picnic Area West River Cave 44 th Street Overlook Winchell Trail West River Parkway
Bohemian Flats as planned (ca. 1980 s) Bohemian Flats today
REHABILITATION DISCUSSION
Recently rehabilitated trail and parking entry
Pedestrian walkway gap
Detectable warning upgrade opportunity
ADA parking spaces
Ramped walkway with hand rails
Hand rail upgrade opportunity
Opportunity to extend Bohemian Flats rehabilitation
Waterfront walkway, lighting and guard railing opportunities.
Guard railing mounting rehabilitation opportunity.
Landscape enhancement opportunity
Seating node rehabilitation opportunity
Pavilion enhancement / upgrade opportunity
Beach node opportunity
Paddle craft opportunity
Parking area lighting and landscape opportunity
Cracked walkaway replacement opportunity
Seasonal rest room upgrade opportunity
Recently updated sign
Accessibility opportunity
Site furnishing, landscape and accessible walkway opportunities
Historic stone stairway renovation opportunity
Drinking fountain upgrade opportunity
Historic stone wall renovation opportunity
Furnishings update and accessibility opportunity
Portable restroom accessibility and aesthetics opportunity
Accessibility, landscape, furnishings and signage opportunity
Q & A
PUBLIC COMMENTS, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, And NEXT STEPS
MPRB PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Regular meetings with a Project Advisory Committee comprised of MPRB staff inform our understanding of the regional park and will be an important part of the conversation throughout the process to ensure that all the ideas we put forth are sustainable and work across the agency.
COMMUNITY EVENTS WE WILL ATTEND MPRB Earth Day Clean Up Minneapolis Institute of Art Sustainable Spring Arbor Day Celebration at MLJ Jr. Park Music and Movies in the Parks Red, White, and Boom Aquatennial What else? PROJECT EVENTS WE WILL HOST Open houses MGRPMP Signature Event WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE FOR WHERE/ HOW/ WHEN WE SHOULD ENGAGE?
55 NEXT STEPS CAC meetings: April 23, May 14, June 11, July 16, August 20 Community engagement at workshops and events Community conversations : please reach out if you have ideas or would like to invite us to a group that you are part of
Have a great evening and thank you for coming!