Discussion:
The Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan (PTRMP) will serve as the guiding document for the city's parks and trails over the next ten years and will provide the city with the data, tools and vision to continue to build and maintain high quality parks which serve the needs of our residents and bring interest from around the region and potentially the nation.
The Plan was born out of the years long effort of the Envision Shakopee - 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update, known as Envision Shakopee. Through the comprehensive planning process, it became clear to staff and Council that more planning was needed for the city's parks and trails. The PTRMP builds upon themes and recommendations which were developed as part of Envision Shakopee.
The city retained Confluence in 2018 to build the master plan that would look at existing parks, establish a baseline design for future parks, evaluate parks and recreation operations and develop an overall vision for the city's parks and trails.
The PTRMP has gone through community engagement and drafting since October of 2018. This engagement has consisted of over a dozen stakeholder meetings with various groups throughout Shakopee who have a vested interest in the future of Shakopee's parks and trails, monthly meetings of the Council -appointed Advisory Committee that advised staff and Confluence as the planning process progressed, coordination meetings with various agencies and organizations and smaller scale popup outreach like at Rhythm on the Rails. This engagement served as additional engagement from the extensive work already done for the comprehensive plan and help to solidify the community's desires for future parks, trails and recreation opportunities.
The PTRMP will serve as an overall master plan for the entire parks system, including recommendations for system branding, operations, financial strategies, standards for future parks and more. The Plan sets a cohesive and comprehensive vision for the future of Shakopee's parks and trails to elevate Shakopee as it continues to grow and mature as an important regional economic center and a continuously growing suburb.
Additionally, as part of this master plan, multiple specific parks were identified to receive more detailed concept plans. These parks include: Huber Park; Memorial Park; Lions Park; Quarry Lake Park; Windermere Park; and the Upper Valley Drainageway Trail. These concept plans will reimagine some old favorite parks in Shakopee and create
brand new and memorable experiences in new spaces. These parks were selected for their higher interest from the community, park development opportunities and are geographically spread throughout the community.
There was also an extensive outreach and discussion with partners in the community including the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Scott County and the Three Rivers Park District. As a result of this plan, should the Council concur, staff will be bringing back to Council a cooperation agreement between all of these parties to assist in the future development of the Cultural Corridor along the Minnesota River.
The Planning Commission reviewed the Plan at its August meeting and unanimously approved recommending adoption by the city council.. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board also met and recommended approval.
The Plan is still in its draft stage and will eventually be attached as an appendix to Envision Shakopee.
The Plan can be viewed or downloaded on the city's website at the following link
https://cld.bz/ea1hDxp