1978-12-20 Parks and Open Space PlanCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE PLAN
20 December 1978
PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
There are no more challenging phases of the comprehensive planning process than
the planning for parks and open space. So much appreciated when they are
available, yet too often spurned on referendums or neglected in the budgeting
process, the park and open space system presents a challenge to community
leadership as well as to community planning. Parks serve a threefold purpose:
they provide facilities for outdoor recreation; they enable historic and scenic
values in the community to be preserved; and they permit property which may
be poorly adopted for urban purposes by virtue of steep slopes and poor drainage
to be protected from harmful private use.
The first of these purposes is the most widely accepted. A11 types of people
in all age brackets have their individual recreational demands. Parks are not
the private domain of the young people. For the toddler, the back yard is
adequate; for small children, the elementary and the neighborhood park provide
a large measure of recreational needs. The young people in the secondary
school level are interested in a wide variety of recreational activities, such
as baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and tennis, which often require
large land areas or specialized facilities. Adults and senior citizens require
a more diverse recreational program, consisting of both organized and
unorganized programs, with small and large spaces required. In addition, many
people appreciate the opportunity to visit a park which has not been improved,
but is intended for passive use in its natural environmental setting.
1. Elements of a Parks S stem. The following is a brief discussion of the
four main types of parks which comprise the modern system, together
with recreational areas of specialized significance. The standards of
the Metropolitan Open Space are given in Appendix A.
a. Small Parks. Small parks of two or less acres can be valuable
assets in a heavily populated section of the City. Such areas
may provide some space for active recreation but serve mainly
as an ornamental function. The number of small, ornamental
parks should be relatively low, since their value is in their
location and appearance, rather than in use and their mainten-
ance cost is relatively high. Such _parks are often developed
and maintained privately.
b. Neighborhood Parks. The neighborhood park can range in size
from a few to ten acres for passive and active recreational for
all ages. Because these parks serve roughly the same area as
an elementary school, elementary schools serve as neighborhood
parks in neighborhoods where they exist. The original park plan
for Mendota Heights was done with this principle in mind. A
neighborhood park or elementary school site should be not more
than three -eighths mile from its outer service area. The
neighborhood park should provide facilities for all seasons as
well as indoor and outdoor education and intense recreation
activities.
c. Play Fields and Community Parks. With increasing interest in
competitive games and sports, there is a growing need for indoor
recreational facilities and play fields where practically the
entire area can be intensely utilized for competitive games.
They may be located in any area adjacent to a larger passive
park area or combined with a neighborhood park. Adequate off-
street parking and spectator seating must be provided to
accommodate those who travel to use these areas. Such athletic
fields fully developed with all types of facilities normally
occupy between 20 and 40 acres.
d. Large Parks - Communit Parks. In addition to the three types
of facilities mentioned above, there is a need for larger parks
which serve the entire community. These areas are normally
selected because of their topography and physical advantages
and occupy more than 50 acres. Locations on rivers or lakes are
especially desirable as are areas containing rugged topography
and heavily wooded sections. While some of the larger parks
might be improved with facilities for active recreation, the
major part of the area should be maintained in its natural state
to afford opportunities for picnicking, walking, riding,
boating, and various types of passive recreation.
e. Trails. A form of open space is identified as trails utilized
for a variety of uses including pedestrian trails, bicyle trails,
horse trails, etc. Trails are in essence, a form of lineal
open space. Standards for a trail development vary from a
minimum of an eight foot walkway to a 200 foot right-of-way
depending on intended uses. Hennepin County Park Reserve
District supports a corridor concept and recommends a minimum
trail right-of-way of 150 feet, within which separate pathways
can be provided serving bicyling, hiking, horseback riding,
snowmobiling, etc.
2. Existing Park and Recreatio
summarizes the existing city
Development of the park faci
Parks Plan as shown in Plate
n faciles
The most significant park within the City limits is the major portion of
the Fort Snelling State Park, located at the confluence of the Minnesota
and Mississippi Rivers. As can be seen in the land use survey, park
land within the City totals 785.4 acres or 13 percent of the City's
total land area. Fort Snelling State Park represents 611 acres or 9.8
percent of the City's land area. The City park system of 174.2 acres
represents 2.9 percent of the City's land area.
The estimated population of Mendota Heights in 1977 was 7,450 people.
This is a ratio of one -tenth of an acre (4,517 square feet) of park
N
c * �00
( W 0 �O vo3i tOd A T T Z
..j Q� l0 0 w to w -% N Z b 6 v Y
n c w f Z Z a m J N m O rD m
m . m n O fD 0 w t< w o_ w ��
i S (AV Z O n O
Q. j m c+ r a fD a Z V n n T
Z N w rD m� m
F F F -1 N
m F N 2 H a
3 r F Z
r+ -s
O_ M N
0 n
A
rr
w j rD
x r+
rD 'I
VNi N a J M F Ol
9 man C+a r+ r+0 °',o m z a a m ,w n
0+1 a n 7�- a n C J F -+ F to d C C ra'+ N
rr
rt z m v�CD m (D z
N 7' w rA F. y t•C " m m << N '•�< m d m m i j p r
;a m n rf _a. N O a r J rL j O' o. w w Vmi <• C H
�. to Vl N ac m w " o Dmi a °i r+ O' N a w n F
m m rtZ w o-0 m w" o �a w n
ap 0)J a r+ -. n o' c
Ncr � 0 w or "I m ' z c+ rz -s s n m xi
cr J m w m in rD a �. �-
5 C 0 tmn 'N 0 _..r m In m .. O. 0_ O_ N m Lon r+ r+ " a m c m n rn to Z t0 w
• N r+ m m w O- w F w m w m M O. m
T -K W e in -0 m a O'"
w N 0; m� 0 7 0. -o m Nto cw0 fat ? 0
O- 7 's w J fwi J t0 " to Z is N �. a m n 'l n
m m F
wm rom: mom£. F 77n� E nmm
CL
N 7 n d l0 to l0 c+ n r-F N D"
m wm m:E mm tom n
rn O_ to . j w d In j j 7 O
r+ O < 0 a a CD
a rr
c r+ 0 w J t< m ml CD
o rr n -o n"
t< mr+ m < N OOn n m wni �' w mC
�
m ma m a cvc 0ol
1!D j '1 a ms s Nton dOm Z r+ w t+ 0 NN
r. s to r+
io a w to to " v F '� w m w
V t0 0 w e -0 '•. m .. O'In -h F
D
c .o. � m -h 'w ry a s to o J a
m O. fj N J N -I m m Z
m v o o* o. N
by rt nmr+
W r+ Z P 4p (�' wj n m c z O n on
F
—'f •n-++ o� w N� m to m" n �"
o� n w" c n '^ a C
Cot,tO m m < wr " Z r+
M rn Z .n nr+ tw 0 ^ n
-h " CL rn _, f w w _ �
OL r+ 0 " .� o. to . O. F
0 N c rf w n
m 110 m D
no " 'n mw
cm)1 o m
rr n w
x
a
CD �c
1] m 7C T
c n n � n
a < c �
ri
D �
w rD N 'S -1
rr n m
v z +n m
m m N
o w
O D_
w � O
r+
m m
a
W
m
J
I
1
fill.
r ►1 f,r,E'
land per citizen. However, if we eliminate the Fort Snelling State
Park, the ratio drops dramatically to 944 square feet of park land
per citizen.
Appendix A indicates the metropolitan standards for the development of
recreation and open space. A national standard recommended by the
National Recreational Association proposes a minimum of 25 acres per
1,000 population for a park system. This would translate into 1,089
square feet per individual.
Comparing the national and metropolitan standards with the existing
park land in the City of Mendota Heights, we can see that there is
a significant difference. If we apply the national standard of 1,000
square feet of park land per person, there should be 364 acres of
park land for City purposes.
It is important to note that the national standard and the Metropolitan
Council standards do not differentiate between Dark land which is
useable for active athletic facilities versus park land which may be
steep sloped, wetlands, or useable only for passive recreational
activities. As we have seen earlier, the school age population is
dropping but the City of Mendota Heights is maintaining a higher family
size when compared with the balance of the school district. Population
will continue to grow. As was indicated in the discussion on population
projections, the City is expected to reach a saturation of population
and housing past the year 2000, with 15,850 persons.
Private recreation facilities include the Mendakota Country Club,
the Somerset Country Club, and the Par Three Golf Course on Dodd Road.
The Mendakota and Somerset Clubs include 18 hole golf courses and
other recreational facilities. The Dodge Nature Center represents a
major private recreation facility in the City.
3. Metropolitan Open Space. Within the immediate area are significant
metropolitan open space system elements, including the Fort Snelling
State Park, and the Lilydale Regional Park, owned and operated by
Ramsey County Open Space District. Included within the concept of
the Metropolitan Open Space District, is the Mississippi River Critical
Area.
Fort Snelling State Park includes approximately 611 acres and is
managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)a
Although much of the state park lies within the political boundaries
of Mendota Heights, residents of the City has little opportunity to
take immediate advantage of the park, by virtue of controlled access
and its regional orientation. For example, the principal and only
entrance at the present time is limited to west of the Minnesota River
from U.S. Highway 5. Access and use of the park is available to Mendota
Heights citizens to the same degree as other metropolitan citizens.
There are no existing or proposed joint development plans between the
DNR and the City of Mendota Heights for joint use of the Fort Snelling
State Park facility.
01
1
—ITLLL
r
s'
PLATE TWO
Ramsey County Regional Park was recently acquired in the lower part of
the City of Lilydale within the flood plain and is owned and managed
by the Ramsey County Open Space District. This park is immediately
adjacent to the City of Mendota Heights, north of State Highway 13.
Access to the park is limited to County Highway 40 or Lilydale Road
from State Highway 13. By virture of the ease of access, this park
offers opportunities for the citizens.
The City has in recent months attempted to secure a trail connection
between City trails in Valley Park, through Lilydale into the regional
park along Lilydale Road. Such a trail connection would be
advantageous not only to the local trail system but to the regional
trail system. In order to secure much trail, the City of Mendota
Heights must enter into cooperative planning with the City of Lilydale.
An advantage of the location of the Lilydale Regional Park and the Fort
Snelling State Park offers the residents of Mendota Heights unique
recreation and open space opportunities which they would not normally
experience within their current park system.
Plate 2 indicates the location of the recommended Metropolitan Bicycle
Systems Plan. This plan incorporates extensive use of streets and
highways located within the City of Mendota Heights. The need for
trails (pedestrian and bicycle) is rapidly becoming an important transpor-
tation alternative. Trails are no longer recognized only for recreational
purposes but they can contribute to an alternative means for circulation
within the community as well as between communities. The City of
Mendota Heights should pursue the development of trails incorporating
wherever possible the recommended metropolitan system.
The Mendota Heights Park Plan proposes an internal trail network which
links the City parks with Fort Snelling State Park and Lilydale Regional
Park (see Plate 2). Although there has been no acquisition, trail
development has depended upon real estate developer dedication in
accordance with the City's subdivision ordinances.
4. Park Acquisition and Development Priorities. As Mendota Heights has
developed over the years, their careful use of zoning and planning
controls has resulted in a community of gently curving, tree lined streets
and large lots, providing one with a sense of low density and spacious
development. However, as development occurs, continued demand will be
placed on the City to increase the availability of open space. Because
the availability of land within the City is diminishing at a very fast
pace, it is imperative to plan and provide for any future open space
and major park areas at this time. It cannot be stressed too strongly
that the time to acquire recreation sites is before the land is usurped
for other uses. It then becomes difficult to assemble adequate park sites
as well as being economically prohibitive.
In reviewing past park plans, it is important to note two significant
changes which have occurred in the active recreation habits of the
population. First, there is an increasing emphasis on more organized
sports, particularly for adults and women. Secondly, space requirements
for active recreation activities have changed significantly since the
first park plan was done. This is the result of a great interest in
slow pitch softball leagues and more recently, the growing interest in
soccer. In light of the changing requirements for active recreation
prevalent at this time, adjustments need to be made in the planning
and development of parks. In particular, additional open space and playing
fields are required.
The Park Comparative Analysis, shown in Table 2 indicates that Mendota
Heights had less acres of developed park land per 1,000 population in
1974 in comparison with other communities in the area. Table 3 is a
comparative analysis of park facilities for selected communities.
Therefore, it is our recommendation that acquisition should be the
number one priority with the trail system linking the various recreation
sites and facilities to be completed at a later date. Community scale
facilities should be developed both north and south of Highway 110.
These additional play fields and community park areas along with the
smaller neighborhood parks that will be developed as residential
subdivisions are developed, should be adequate for the project population
of the City.
The Park and Open Space Plan - 1978 following (Plate 3) indicates the
location of the recommended location for additional community parks/
play fields. The Plan also shows existing and proposed recreation
sites and facilities including the internal trail network and the
regional scale (State and County) parks in the City. The location of
future small parks and neighborhood parks are indicated symbolically
on the Plan, and will be worked out in greater detail as development
occurs in these proposed residential areas.
Priority 1 is adjacent to Valley Park along Wachtler Road �nd contains
approximatery 40 acres. This s) e is relatively flat, accessible, and
would enhance Valley Park by providing a site for active recreation in
the most densely populated portion of the City. Priority_ r o 2 is the
existing school_ property ,lust south of Friendly Hills and nothe
proposed extension of Mendota Heights -Road, which contains approximately
35 acres. In addition, additional land should be acquired along the
pedestrian trail between Valley Park on the north, and Highway 110 on
the south. ---
The elementary school site west of Sibley High School is currently
owned by the School District and in open space. If the School District
should decide to sell the land in the future, the City should be given
first option on purchasing the property for park land.
Based on this examination of potential community park areas, the Park
and Recreation Commission adopted the following policy on 21 November 1978:
There is a need for larger open recreation areas within the
`t" City.
b. The type of land necessary would be parcels of approximately
40 acres with a relatively flat terrain, wherein ball fields
could be developed.
c. That there should be parcels acquired of this nature both on
the north and south sides of Highway 110.
d. Due to the scarcity of land and the density of the population,
the northerly site would be the number one priority.
e. The preliminary recommendation for a site north of 110 is
the Wachtler site as it is relatively flat, accessable,
contiguous to Valley Park, is relatively centrally located,
and it is thought to be available.
f. The most desirable
site south of
hlighway 110 is
the easterly
portion (%2) of the
80 acres owned
by School District 197 because
of the terrain and
its accessability
to a major
thoroughfare.
These proposed additions will increase the amount of park land in
Mendota Heights by approximately 135 acres, including the proposed
neighborhood parks. This would give Mendota Heights a total of
approximately 300 acres of park land.
The Parks and Recreation Plan would include the following acres:
Existing
Parks.
.165
acres
Priority
One.
45
acres
Priority
Two.
35
acres
Valley
Park Addition.
30
acres
Future
Neighborhood Parks
25
acres
TOTAL
.300
acres
Based on the population of 15,000, the optimum standard of 25 acres
per 1,000 population would equal 375 acres. In view of the existence
of the nature conservation land (Dodge Nature Center), the Ramsey
County Open Space Program, and the State Park, we feel the 300 acres
is a reasonable standard to be achieved.
� II'9illl�i
f-nsF4 lc� O
r z
! fill II I1
'1 I. it? 1jI f''ii`Ino
�
mat In =4
RO
I ! O ; O
��I
i / I �( I IYNI
:I
' =
of ni _ _
It - �
p� i Nr (j1
Zi
4 Ilk
HI411lI N�ilbi
��
f
jld . L_ }
5.
tt
�
i ,.�co
_�m X
(D 't K C N �. w
i MS x
lf
4 4 trill Will
1 to
AjL1—y i, 5t' - Rp (�pT tl^ rat. 0It
,i1
II"MicIf 4
I.
A ill it,.
tL
law I
jln C N
.V
.� ^fir r'� .a µl� I _���: •' C n__ f�I
It ��i f9 m
C7tJW a�l ' '.
.w
m
It
�'.
Lny Iitp
z
c
� x m m �
o m
=IS
a
Z
PLATE THREE
m
3
m
m
m�
ON
O
0
0
ooa,�
T
C
1-1
S
—i
to
Q
n
3
0
fD
tG
O-
O
s
o
a
m
om=
=
v
o=
a
m
m
m
a
3
—I
yr
r
<
•
j
m
m
CotO
(D
"s
to
m
(D
a
J
(n
-
l 7
•
c+
w
40
m
C
-s
t-+
J
o
a
-s
•
w
0)
m
"s
cn
_..i
—
� nm
o
w
t0
-�
F
a
0)0
m
w
n
F
3
o
C+(DO
rD
N
0)
m
f=D
(D
N'
V
C+
+
N
w
N
C+
N
rF
�
O
S
v
m
c�
O
w
w
w
c
v
0)
P
7
17
'6
N
lO
WN.P
WN
W
W
too
OJ
t p
M
M
M
4P
N
N
M
CD
CD
O
N
N
M
V
W
W
O
(n
M
A
N
V
V
t0
x
to
N
U
Ul
W
M
M
W
i-+
O
M
.P
4�m
CDO
m
(n
to
W
Wto
to
NW
NOm
W
�a
w
5
c
n
C+h
r
w
m
g
Qj
'.
m
77'
-o
C+
�n
N
m
O
to
A
r
r+
m
w
0
U
V
Cn
P
V
0)
OD
W-P
ON
w
n
t<
W
W
Ol
V
V
VtoO�W
OlD
N~
Z
O_
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
u
O
A
El
w
t0
t0
OO(n0
NO
(nO0
V
S
"a
"I
O
O
0
0
0
0
CD
0
O
0
0
0
O
w
o
0
0OoC:)CD
0
m
r+
M
m
n
o
w
ME�
o
--i
A
N
�--
ODrC+D
V
OD
��
?
(D
(Il
-P
V
to
(n
to
M
%
(Vn
w
O
00
r
V
OOI
CO
N(n
Ol
tD
0)
O
(7
3
00
W
W
CD
CD
co
N
00
CD
(
<
N
a
n
O
0
-h
o
m
m
Cl
N
'O
00
m
w
v
S
_
m
CD
F
O
-(D
N
W
NAODMCDCY)
n0)C)D
�--A
m�
�^
Qt
OCU
OOOO
N00
CO
n
m
rn
rn
orn0000000o
p
mc�
w
*
m
z
t<
o
a
o
Colo
Boa
a
y
z
m
—I
to
n
H
m
4
(VTI
f f
op
ol
n
v
(n
J�
W
( n
W
N
O
N
t -'
m
m
O
f-+cn
(n
OD
OO
W
4�O
m
N
O]-P
NOOOONO
(.n
O
7
a
z
O)
0)O
OOO
N000
z
D
m
�
*
m
�
ro
wo
w
..w
g
vex
w
�ro
m
w
..roN o..
Ix
CD
�l
1>Z
c
rn
o
c
.z
z
v03
K
K
<
S
m
O
O
O
Z
O
7 p �. ws oS A N N Z = N O N Z y
n n O C m m (•� c c rD rD O E N rD rD t0 rt c o
C+ <+� m c nn r� m s o s �v
ff n C n VI S Z a to N�? i m fl O N -+ n C 'O 0) W (ml
O 0 o m -ofi w .� E °m' -/+ �"oft rt m g� �-o �• p 'o m
i j� 0r aa0 �c'as .�'sNC+ OJ;
r+ m 3 O t+t0 N j p J rD
b "Z t+ O J c . O Z ..,
l0 N v tp rfD -a-+ w ... t.+ �. O N B _-i. o �. "m, m a n O o Z< N•
a on %nC no?P:� m�rD0) Q.M J��� mm c
o j< (�pp c -s m m N �-'Y t* a rD r+ N• or o _. w n R
tmn N n • C N W V j 7 O N 0 n or < O m N-S E3 -11
7r f O O N m. Z tp O N O CD C) O O p w
J N O !� rD 0) 0) J rD O N N C} N C+ p j
r•h N -h (D O E O 'o fD 5
m c o =� O r+m n0
N m JC c+ rD < N 0 rD
J
y) t7 m m m p
i of N N W
nn O O N y.. v C+N O X 3�G O j
'S n m �' r+ m
S 1 N N rD N N O N
A l n 1 O y O r
"' o �+ o o r+ C r m
n o N o N
. O O rD N V)
m
r•r
o v a O rD w
*o rD -hyCal
Z �F O tp A rD m
S vZ 0 .
O 0 C) o Z n
O0 o 0 0o a
n -Isocn � a
H N r+ C m
O N
N N
cn L r
1 i t m
C) 4T 5 N
O Cl CN rD N
N
Ml n Z p w m
fD m
N N `- •
tT d yt m 3 c S �. N 'D N
7 !D C 'O O r+ r+ rD c+
�.nz In. ='D 3 m
m
ow n o N n
"o trail '" m � U3 Ml m ;o n
g y m o
r+ N . t¢ O -1 U rD 'S -0A
m -*e+ c C+ S < O
N OI SCD cc
C
N O --A
C+ m
1 N
a -s C+ A i -h N N 'iJ m y
<m fD
of N W O m
c c
01 'i N .J tO=5 fD
�'
o' 0 > �. h E r
m0. + �w°z' �+
m N < c m z c< °z o
n
'S m ooi O C O O f+ -i
m -1 j w p
m P OS n O
O S
O
O 0
^
r
T
w
m m
�•
a
v
a
v
�
F
N
aCw
+ �m o
.s T "1O w 0 T n
C t< d O' N 'T (D (D
+�. N -+ —I S N < N
n7cmC+•wso
t0 •O �'O
7 7 • (D
can ql Ow7n
0 7 -+ n
n w O' C+ O
7 i (D j w �T
(D 1 7 (D 0 7
(D
7
c a m mam �•c
C
•3 c �.c C S
n c T O 2 (
7 C O 'o 7
c+N w �T
m 7 0
• n 1
T'O«onN -•wc
oo+ (w+(CD :E -1
N (D 0) � w w O -4
T w 0 T -1 N
J 7 O'w O N
N T T 7 0
p C n N C (p w aj
j N c* w
w �,w •o c 7
7
(n =(,< N a
(D (D c+ N m
N i
wN
-
�• w w w -+• (D T C T
O C £ (D rD w
7 (+ T w 7
c0 7 w fp 7 w(D I-h O
0 rt .LO CL M
n
w u f w 0 7
7 O • 7 7 o 0 0 w
n n 7 n n N (C+ T C
j J N N C n 7 T
S J< D n T C
7 7 aj
C �+. N (D
7
O O
omT(DwN
N
o
0
w
(pNc�
�
+
+
T
�•
T
V
J
<
o
(Dw
0
•
w
w
7
(D
(p
fl
J
(D
w
7
T
n
C+
D
O
(D
rt
T
j
oTam
•<
<
D
N
N
v
rt
O
T
rt
7
w
1
00
w
T
(D
c
fi
N
N
T
S
.
0
tD
(D
N
N
1--• p
� O O
O O
rTD w
irD
N
fort N c-1
rD w w
rt (D D
D D 0 (D
oTT� (D
� rt
N
O O 7 w
�c a
T c
N
(D N (D
c
w w rD 7-
(+ T N (p
D j O T
T C (D
f-1 T
Jn o
(D w
w ct
JO c
n T
c -•
c-1
3
m'
m
fort N c-1
rD w w
rt (D D
D D 0 (D
oTT� (D
� rt
N
O O 7 w
�c a
T c
N
(D N (D
c
w w rD 7-
(+ T N (p
D j O T
T C (D
f-1 T
Jn o
(D w
w ct
JO c
n T
c -•
c-1
3
m'
m
w w rD 7-
(+ T N (p
D j O T
T C (D
f-1 T
Jn o
(D w
w ct
JO c
n T
c -•
c-1
3
m'
m
c-1
3
m'
m
A a
7
N
Z
o
a
o
O
c
0
C+
0
0
ry
t'+
m
G,
w
'O
N-
3
0
0
�
0
m
o
O
m
<
N
C
O
7
wmrr
cvn
�w�c�o�aco
o
v
N
c
J
0to�
•
m
-0
0
N
<
m
o
m
m
n
C
N
j
N
C}
y
w
(p
N
N
N
m
a
c�*wNln
-s
v
a
ci
a
ro
n
a
a
n
caa•
�
N
S
ct
m
w
c
m
�n
a
N
cn
a
m
m
a
f
r-
z
�•
(
CDzv
m
a
m
�
n
o
�
�
o
m
z
o
n
x
z
A
n
m
c�
m
a
o
z
o
z
z
c
o
m
v
�
m
z
v
n
m