City Council Resolution 2011-53CITY OF MONTICELLO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2011-53
ADOPTING THE 2011 MONTICELLO PARKS & TRAILS PLAN AND
APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2008 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
WITH AN AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 5 — PARKS & TRAIL PLAN
WHEREAS, the City adopted an update to its municipal Comprehensive Plan in 2008; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Monticello Parks & Trails Plan as an amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan provides an appropriate Parks chapter for the Comprehensive Plan, supports
the proposed land use plan, and furthers the City's land -use and development policies through
the provision of vital parks and trails infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, it is in the City's best interest to reevaluate its comprehensive plan and consider and
analyze amendments as necessary; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MONTICELLO,
MINNESOTA THAT, the City hereby adopts the 2011 Monticello Parks & Trails Plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2008 Comprehensive Plan shall be amended as
follows:
Amendment of Chapter 5 — Parks & Trails Plan (see attached Exhibits A and B)
ADOPTED BY the Monticello City Council this 27th day of June, 2011.
ATTEST:
J f eill, City Administrator
CITY OF MONTICELLO
Clint Herbst, Mayor
EXHIBIT "A"
Attach Final Park & Pathway Systems Plan
.11 vlriv
Monticello Parks and Pathways S'-Ywrstem Pla4
City Of Monticello
Parks and Pathways
System Plan
June 3, 2011
Public Hearing Draft
Project funded by a grant from Live Wright, a program of Wright County Public Health
SHIP
ISION HwIth Iniprmtvnent Pmgram
el Betto- OJI &"flik
Prepared by:
Northwest Ass ocl ated Consultants, I n c.
Table of Contents Page No.
Chapter 1. Introduction 1-1
History 1-1
Recent Planning Efforts 1-2
Current Planning Process 1-3
Chapter 2, Existing Parks and Recreation Systems 2-1
Background
2-1
Inventory and Classification
2-1
Existing Parks and Pathways Map
2-2
Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities
2-3
Regional Park Facilities Location Map, Figure 2-1
2-3
Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park, Figure 2-2
2-4
Montissippi County Park, Figure 2-3
2-6
Monticello Community Center, Figure 2-4
2-7
Summary of Regional Parks Issues
2-8
Community Parks
2-9
Community Parks Facilities Location Map, Figure 2-5
2-10
East Bridge and West Bridge Parks, Figures 2-6, 2-7
2-11
Ellison Park, Figure 2-8
2-13
Swan Park, Figure 2-9
2-14
River Mill Park, Figure 2-10
2-15
Freeway Fields, Figure 2-11
2-16
Pioneer (Lion's) Park, Figure 2-12
2-17
Groveland Park, Figure 2-13
2-18
Otter Creek Park, Figure 2-14
2-19
City/Xcel Athletic Fields, Figure 2-15
2-20
Summary of Community Parks Issues
2-21
Neighborhood Parks 2-22
Neighborhood Parks Inventory, Figure 2-16 2-22
Existing Park coverage Areas Map 2-25
Pathways 2-26
Summary of Pathway Issues 2-27
Special Use Facilities 2-28
Special Use Facilities Map 2-29
Park Survey and Public Process 2-30
Chapter 3, Parks System Objectives 3-1
Parks and Pathways Role in Community Development 3-1
Changing Park Proximity 3-1
Seven Principles for Parks Development 3-2
Vision and Policy 3-3
Park Development and Design Policies
3-5
Park Acquisition Model, Figure 3-1
3-5
Community Park Model, Figure 3-2
3-6
Neighborhood Park Model, Figure 3-3
3-7
Pathways
3-8
Sidewalks and Minor Pathways
3-8
Sidewalk/Minor Pathway Cross Section, Figure 3-4
3-9
Secondary Pathways
3-9
Secondary Pathways Cross Section, Figure 3-5
3-10
Primary Pathways
3-10
Primary Pathways Cross Section, Figure 3-6
3-11
Chapter 4, Parks and Pathways System Plan 4-1
Future Park System Service Area Map
4-3
Park and Trail Draft System Plan Map
4-5
Specific Park Recommendations
4-6
Hamlin Marsh Community Park Search Area
4-6
Hamlin Marsh Community Park Map
4-7
Pelican Lake Community Park Search Area
4-8
Pelican lake Community Park Map
4-9
Edmonson Greenway Community Park Search Area
4-10
Edmonson Greenway Community Park Map
4-11
Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park
4-12
Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Concept Map
4-13
Chapter 5, Implementation Options 5-1
Implementation Strategies 5-1
Funding Mechanisms 5-2
Park Dedication 5-3
EXHIBIT "B"
Attach Final Comprehensive Plan Amendment Text
MONTICELLO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Proposed Amendment Language
6/27/11 Council Consideration
Chapter 5, Parks
The Monticello Parks and Pathways Plan identifies the City's objectives for Parks and
Pathways planning and development, building on the existing parks infrastructure, and in
the context of the City's participation in the acquisition and development of the Bertram
Chain of Lakes Regional Park on former YMCA property with Wright County.
The intent of the Plan is to ensure that the continued development of the parks system will
provide convenient and quality recreation facilities, ease of access to the parks and pathways
system, and promote continuity internally as well as outward to other providers of
recreation facilities and programs.
The Plan and its recommendations can be found as an appendix to this Comprehensive
Plan, and consists of the following components:
➢ Introduction and background material
➢ Inventory of existing parks facilities, and summary of public comment and input
➢ Organized system of objectives and policies for park development
➢ Plan concepts and layouts for conversion of existing facilities as well as the location
and development of future parks and pathways.
➢ Recommendations for implementation of the system, including operational policies,
funding sources, and park dedication approaches.
The 2011 Parks and Pathways System Plan is an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan
and is incorporated as a separate document.
Resolution No. 2011-53, adopted June 27, 2011.
The term "parks" does not adequately describe the breadth of the this
chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. There are many facets to the park
system in Monticello:
► Parks are public spaces developed as places to play and gather.
► Parks include facilities for organized and unstructured outdoor rec-
reational activities.
► Parks provide a means of preserving open space, natural resources
and wildlife habitat.
► Trails allow access to parks and connect individual parks into a sys-
tem.
The primary focus of the Comprehensive Plan is on parks owned and main-
tained by the City of Monticello. The Monticello School District, Wright
County and the State of Minnesota are also important providers of park,
recreation and open space facilities for the residents of Monticello.
The park system is an essential part of the quality of life in Monticello.
Parks play an important role in making Monticello an active and healthy
place to live. Parks are integral parts of Monticello neighborhoods. A
direct link exists between parks, recreation facilities open space, and
trails and the community's of life. The future of Monticello, to a degree,
will be determined by its ability to attract new residents. People will view
Monticello and assess what it has to offer compared to other area com-
munities. Maintaining and enhancing an already strong park system is
one measure that can be taken to ensure Monticello's reputation as an
attractive place to live.
The process of preparing the Comprehensive Plan did not seek to duplicate
previous efforts of the City in park planning. Rather, the Comprehensive
Plan builds a strong link between community development and the provi-
sion of parks and recreation facilities.
2008 Comprehensive Plan Parks 1 5-1
Park Standards
Parks and trails are classified according to their use
and function. The information below is a summary of
typical park characteristics: classifications, park sizes,
and service areas. This section is intended to act as a
general guide to park planning, acquisition and use.
The standards are designed to assure that Monticello
residents have convenient access to neighborhood
parks and that the community has a range of active
and passive recreation facilities to meet current and
future needs.
Mini -Park
► Use: Specialized park that serves a concentrated
population (i.e. tots or seniors) or geographic area.
Used in areas where geographic barriers prevent
access to a neighborhood park.
► Service Area: Less than 1/4 mile radius
► Size: 0.5 to 2 acres
► Location: Typically near higher density housing
that does not have access to a neighborhood park
or as a supplement to a neighborhood park.
Neighborhood Park
► Use: Basic unit of the park system, developed for
both active & passive activities. Design criteria
should anticipate the changing demographic pro-
files of the neighborhood served, as to provide
appropriate facilities. Focus on informal and un-
structured activities.
► Service Area: 1/3 mile radius
► Size: 4-10 acres
► Location: Easily accessible to the neighborhood
population with safe walking and biking access uti-
lizing trail networks. Parking facilities limited to a
minimum. Site should have well -drained soils and
not include topography of excessively steep slops.
Community Park
► Use: Area designed for community scale recreation
either active (athletic fields, etc),. passive (picnic
facilities, nature study, etc.) or a combination of
both.
► Location: Site should be suited for community use,
be easily accessible to the population it is intended
to serve. Located near high traffic areas such as
schools and major thoroughfares.
School Park
► Use: Depending on circumstances, combining parks
with school sites can fulfill the space requirements
of other classes of parks, such as neighborhood,
community, athletic complex and special use.
► Service Area: Driven by the location of the school
property.
► Size: Variable - depends on function.
► Location: Land should typically be suited for ac-
tive recreation use, but may also include natural
areas.
Linear Park/Greenway
► Use: Trails incorporating ROW widening and land
acquisition long rivers and natural areas.
► Service Area: Community wide
► Size: Varies
► Location: Along major river corridors, sensitive
areas and exiting roadways. Incorporate multi -use
and multi -modal trails.
Current Park System
Planning for the future begins with an understanding
of the park system in 2007. Monticello's park system
currently includes 23 parks totalling approximately 108
acres. The location of each park is shown in the map
in Figure 4-1. The section that follows summaries the
basic characteristics of each park.
4th Street Park
► Shelter
► Rest rooms
► Ball diamond
► Tot lot
► Skating facilities (with lighting) - recreational
skating and 2 hockey rinks
► Off-street parking
► Service Area: Community wide Balboul Park
► Size: 20-65 acres
► Play facilities
5-2 1 Parks City of Monticello
Figure 4-1- Existing Park and Trail System
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2008 Comprehensive Plan Parks 1 5-3
► Picnic facilities
► Natural area/open space
Battle Rapids Park
► Natural area/open space
Cardinal Hills Park
► Volleyball courts
► Picnic area
Cardinal Hills Park Tot Lot
► Tot lot play area
City/Xcel Ballfields
► Lighted softball fields (4)
► Bleachers
► Shelters
► Restroom
► Concession stand
Country Club Manor
► Playground
► Ball field
► Volleyball
► Picnic tables
East/West Bridge Park
►
Play lot
►
Gazebo
►
Picnic facilities
►
Skating rink
►
Warming house with rest rooms
►
Sliding hill
►
Off-street parking
Ellison Park
► Shelter
► Rest room facilities
► Creative play area
► Tot recreational equipment
► Swings for the handicapped
► Parking
► Boat launch
Fallon Park
► Open space
Freeway Fields
► Soccer/football field
► Basketball court
► Little league ball field
► Softball field
Groveland Park
► Youth football fields
► Softball diamond
► Play area
► Shelters
► Parking
Hillcrest Park
► Skating facilities
► Play lot
► Picnic facilities
► Ball field
Meadow Oak Park
► Picnic tables
► Nature trail
► Basketball court
Meadows
► Natural area/open space
Mississippi Drive
► Natural area/open space
► Scenic river overlook
► Swan viewing
Oak Ridge Park
► Open space
► Gazebo
► Flower park
Otter Creek Park
► Gazebo
► Natural area/open space
Par West Park
► Playground
► Disc golf area (3 hole)
► Basketball court
► Picnic tables
Pioneer Park (Lions Park)
► Play area
► Community building with rest rooms
► Picnic area with shelters
5-4 1 Parks City of Monticello
► Off-street parking
► Nature trails
River Mill Park
►
Playground
►
Lighted sliding hill
►
Ball field
►
Shelters
►
Basketball court
►
Volleyball court
►
Soccer field
Rolling Woods
► Playground area
► Basketball court
Sunset Ponds Park
► Ball field
► Soccer/football field
Comprehensive Plan Initiatives
The process of preparing the Comprehensive Plan
identified a variety of initiatives related to the future
park system in Monticello. These initiatives should
be considered by the Park Commission in its planning
efforts.
Neighborhood Parks
The map in Figure 4-2 illustrates the areas served by the
existing park system. Each circle on this map represents
an approximate one-third mile radius. This map sug-
gests that there are no critical gaps in the distribution
of city parks. All neighborhoods have reasonable access
to some form of park.
The Comprehensive Plan does not show individual
neighborhood parks in areas guided for new residential
development. Instead, it is assumed that neighborhood
parks will be added as property is platted.
The following policies will guide City actions in the de-
velopment and maintenance of neighborhood parks.
1. Neighborhood parks are essential elements of
Monticello neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks
are intended to be two to six acres in size.
2008 Comprehensive Plan Parks 1 5-5
AErt*srsr
Lots
Figure 4-2: Existing Park Service Areas
2. The Comprehensive Plan seeks a service area of
one mile or less for a neighborhood park. This
service area must account for barriers created by
natural and man-made features. The goal is to
have a neighborhood park within walking or biking
distance of every home.
3. There is a clear nexus between development and
the need for additional parks. The City will use
the park dedication powers convey by State Law
to acquire land (or cash) to implement this Plan.
The City will require the dedication of desirable
locations for parks in all new subdivisions, unless
the subdivision is adequately served by an existing
(or planned) neighborhood park. Land received
by the City through park dedication must have the
capacity for park use. Dedicated land should not
be encumbered by steep slopes, poor soils, utility
5-6 1 Parks City of Monticello
easements and other impediments to intended
park uses.
4. Parks should be connected by trails and sidewalks
to provide walking and biking access for both neigh-
borhoods and the broader community.
5. The development, improvement and maintenance
of the park system requires careful financial
planning. With park dedication providing a key
resource, this planning must be tied to ongoing
projections of future growth. This planning should
work to ensure that funding plans for the acquisi-
tion and development of the regional park do not
deplete funding for the rest of the system.
6. Timely development of neighborhood parks is es-
sential. Funding of the park system should provide
for both acquisition and timely development of
neighborhood parks. This objective may require
new financial strategies. Finance tools such as
special assessments and housing improvement
areas would allow a park to be built at the outset
of residential construction.
7. Planning for neighborhood parks should also con-
sider the needs of rural residential subdivisions. A
less dense development pattern does not remove
the need for neighborhood parks, but may alter the
service area and location.
Community Parks
The acquisition and development of YMCA Camp
Manitou is the sole new community park initiative pro-
posed in this update of the Comprehensive Plan. The
illustration in Figure 4-3 shows a preliminary concept
for the development of this regional park.
This initiative meets a wide range of community
needs.
► Acquisition of this property protects and preserves
critical natural areas. As Monticello grows, it is
important to preserve these areas for future gen-
erations.
► The recent and future growth of Monticello creates
the need for more community recreation facilities.
The regional park provides the space to meet these
needs.
► The park provides a wide range of amenities that
will attract new development to Monticello. The
2008 Comprehensive Plan Parks 1 5-7
Figure 4-3: Concept for Development of Regional Park
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Monticello, Minnesota
M .31;
Active Park Use (65 acres
Phase 1: a) Parking lot for approximatly 100 vehicles
b) 4 Softball fields 300' base pads
c) 5 International size soccer fields
Phase
00 - 120 yds x 70-80 yds
s
(a 11: a) Parking lot expansion
Phase a
b) 4 Softball fields 300' base pads
c) 3 international size soccer fields
Adjacent 100 120 yds x 70-80 yds
Use: Low
Density
Residential
4.5 nni. loop
(.114 lakes)
zel:
ENTRANCE to n.,
loop
Artrv, Port Use (53 Sires,
Campground ! R.V Park
Boat 1 Canoe Launches
Swimming Beach '
L. L.k.
Pkinic G;ounds over k #
Rental C-lialet
Cabin Camping
PlaAjround Ridg.11
0-1 k
Fishing Per
'10 LONG
BERTRAM
102 V
Long Lake
Adjacent o— leek #3
Use: Low 40
Density
Residential 0.6 "we
loop
. . . . . . . . . .
4.5 rn loop
(.114
03
uJ Mh $T. N
Active Park Use (26 acres) Adjacent Use:
Environmental Leaming Center
Horseback Riding Stable Z Commercial
Parking Lot W Nursery
.5 25
0.75 mile
loop
00*00
Adjacent Use: Low Density
Residential and Golf Course
Owrlaek
%L1 Fr LAI
Over) k
Adjacent Use:
Can.. Route
Industrial
Passive Use
(40
Adjacent Use:
acres)
Arboretum
Low Density
Picnic Grounds
Residential
Passive Use (40 acres
Nursery
Passive Park Use (11 acres
Primitive Camping
Passive Park Use (32 acres)
Frisbee Golf Course
Archery Range
Passive Park Use (11 acres)
Dog Park
Parking Lot
0.5 mile 1.
—look
) o"noo"
WETLAND COMPLEX
Adjacent Use:
Low Density
Residential
5-8 1 Parks City of Monticello
park brings community -scale assets that benefits
new development and enhances the quality of life
across the community. These amenities create the
setting that should be a catalyst for the quality of
neighborhood and housing stock desired by the
City.
These factors help to create the nexus between de-
velopment and this regional park initiative. The City
anticipates using a portion of monies received from
payments in lieu of park land dedication to pay for the
acquisition and improvement of the regional park. The
Park Plan identifies two types of parks designed to meet
the needs of the broader community.
The Land Use chapter describes how the park will relate
to adjacent development and connected to the broader
community.
Community Greenway
The Parks chapter reinforces the concept of a greenway
introduced in Land Use. As Monticello continues to
grow to the west and south, it has the opportunity to
establish a community greenway. Monticello has a his-
tory of protecting natural features as growth occurs. A
greenway builds on this commitment to create a con-
nected system of natural areas that ring the community.
The intent of this initiative is:
► The corridors are a tool for preserving important el-
ements of the natural environment in Monticello.
► The corridors provide public access and use to
these areas.
► The corridors connect community parks.
► Greenway corridors become part of the defining
characteristics and identity of Monticello.
► The corridors provide routes for the trail system
and a means of linking parks, community facilities
and neighborhoods.
► These areas provide habitat for wildlife.
The map in Figure 4-4 shows a potential layout of a
community greenway system. This illustration is not
intended to show a specific plan, but rather the critical
elements of a community greenway. These elements
include:
2008 Comprehensive Plan Parks 1 5-9
Figure 4-4: Potential Elements of Community Greenway
5-10 1 Parks City of Monticello
► Linking park and open space destinations such as
Montissippi County Park, Mississippi River, larger
City parks (Ellison, Pioneer and West/East Bridge),
Downtown, YMCA property, and Pelican Lake.
► Preserving and providing public use of key areas of
trees, wetlands and other natural features as part
of future development.
► Using powerline corridors, trails and bike lanes to
fill in gaps where it is not possible to have natural
areas in the greenway.
A key next step in this initiative is to conduct a Natural
Resources Inventory (NRI). A NRI determines the type,
quality and location of natural features in Monticello
and the orderly annexation area. The NRI can be used
to identify key property to acquire for the greenway. It
will also be useful in identifying potential gaps in the
greenway that must be bridged with some other form
of public space.
Trails
A system of trails is an essential part of the Compre-
hensive Plan. Trails build connections, allowing people
to move through the community without a car. Trails
provide the means for using area wide parks and other
natural areas. Trails offer recreational opportunities for
Monticello residents.
For the purposes of the Comprehensive Plan, continued
planning and development of the trail system should
be guided by the following objectives:
► T r a i l s m u s t b e
v i e w e d as a system. Individual seg-
ments must combine into a network that connects
places within the community. These connections
facilitate the movement envisioned by the trail
plan.
► Trail development should be incorporated with
street construction. The construction and im-
provement of streets provides an excellent oppor-
tunity to build new segments of the trail system.
Where possible, the trail should be detached and
separate from the roadway.
► Integrate trails into new subdivisions. Focusing
on trails at the platting and site planning stage
of development allows for routes that serve the
neighborhood and link with other elements of the
trail system.
Park Dedication
The use of park dedication is essential to achieving the
City's plans and goals for parks, trails and open space.
In fact, it would be difficult for the City to acquire and
create the park system envisioned by the Comprehen-
sive Plan without park dedication.
The experience of Monticello and other cities clearly
demonstrates a nexus between the development of
land and the need for the municipal park system. The
development of land for residential purposes increases
the demands for parks, trails and recreational facilities
in Monticello. The development of land also creates
opportunities to preserve open space and natural re-
sources.
The Comprehensive Plan establishes a system of neigh-
borhood and community oriented facilities. Monies
received from payments in lieu of dedication shall be
used pursuant to the park plan to meet the needs of the
park system. The demands on the park system from
new development are not tied to physical proximity of
a subdivision making dedication. New residents may
also be served by the development of parks and trails
and the preservation of open space in other parts of
Monticello.
The overall plan for the park system seeks to provide ev-
ery resident with reasonable access to the park system.
In implementing the Comprehensive Plan, the City will
work to distribute neighborhood parks throughout
the community. Community parks and recreational
facilities will be developed at locations appropriate for
the function of each park. Park dedication allows the
flexibility to:
► Acquire land suitable for parks in both location
and character.
► Acquire land for trails that connect neighbor-
hoods with the park system and other community
destinations.
► Acquire and preserve natural resources areas and to
connect these areas into a community greenway.
2008 Comprehensive Plan Parks 1 5-11
► Accept cash payments in lieu of dedication where
land from a subdivision does not meet the park
development needs and plans of the City.
Each proposed plat should be carefully reviewed to
determine if the subdivision contains land that should
be dedicated to implement the park plan. If the dedi-
cation of land does not satisfy the requirements of the
park dedication ordinance, then the City should receive
a cash payment in lieu of dedication.
State Law (Minnesota Statutes, Section 462.358, Sub-
division 2b) authorizes the City to require the dedica-
tion of land for the purposes of this plan as part of the
subdivision and platting of land. The City has adopted
an ordinance that establishes regulations for the use of
park dedication. This ordinance should be reviewed
from time -to -time to ensure consistency with State
Law and the Comprehensive Plan.
5-12 1 Parks City of Monticello