Parks And Trails

The Regional Parks System primarily consists of lands located in high-quality natural resource settings that are contiguous to lakes, rivers, or other water bodies. Natural resource restoration and protection is a key objective. The Regional Parks System contains large areas of land that often extend into multiple communities. Federal and state recreation and open space lands generally serve similar recreational needs as the Regional Parks System. Your comprehensive plan should identify, map, and plan for all of the Regional Parks System components as well as federal and state recreation and open space lands that are located within your community. 

 Minimum Requirements: 

• 

  Describe, map, and label the Regional Parks System facilities that are located in your community.

• If no portion of the Regional Parks System falls within your community, state that fact in your comprehensive plan.

• Describe, map, and label the federal and state recreational lands within your community, as shown on your System Statement.

• Depict existing regional parkland with a land use of “Park” (or your community’s equivalent) on your Existing Land Use map.

• Acknowledge the Council-approved master plan boundaries of regional parks, park reserves, and special recreation features by guiding the properties with a land use of “Park” (or your community’s equivalent) on your Future Land Use map.

• Collaborate with staff from your regional park implementing agency in preparing your comprehensive plan.

• Plan for compatible land uses adjacent to Regional Parks System facilities.

 We Can Help!

• See more details on the Regional Parks System Plan in Chapter 3 of the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan.

• Download parks and trails GIS data on the Minnesota Geospatial Commons.

• Contact your sector rep for further assistance.

• Connect with the Council regional parks staff for parks related questions.

• Connect with your Regional Park Implementing Agency. 

Local recreational open space facilities are an important component of the overall outdoor recreation system in the region. Local parks are often more intensely developed than regional parks and provide facilities for active recreation such as playgrounds, athletic fields, sport courts, and aquatic centers. Local parks are designed to serve a neighborhood or community and are frequently located in residential areas.

• Describe and map your existing and proposed local parks, trails, and recreation facilities.

• Include a capital improvement program for parks and open space facilities as part of your implementation program.

• Include high quality natural resources as part of your local park planning.

• Address the linkage of local land use to local and regional parks and open space.

• Consider people’s changing recreational preferences in planning your local parks.

• Plan and develop local trail connections to regional parks and trails as identified in the 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan.

• Plan for and connect to the Regional Bicycle Transportation Network as identified in the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan.

• Coordinate with adjacent communities in planning for local trails that cross jurisdictional boundaries.

• Prioritize parks and trails; they create opportunities for community members to increase their physical activity, which can improve mental health, decrease obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases. (Minnesota Healthy Planning: How-To Guide, page 17)

• Locate pedestrian trail access within ¼ mile and bicycle trail access within 1 mile of residential or commercial destinations. (Minnesota Healthy Planning: How-To Guide, page 61)

• Consider people’s changing recreational preferences in planning your local parks. Evaluate population size and demographic characteristics to determine the specific needs for park space, proximity, access and community facilities that serve as the foundation for park systems. (Minnesota Healthy Planning: How-To Guide, page 63)

• Take into account the value of tree canopy; preserving a healthy tree canopy can serve a number of public health benefits such providing shade on hot days, reduce heat island effects, improve air quality, improve water quality, improve livability and more. (Minnesota Healthy Planning: How-To Guide, page 65)

 We Can Help!

• The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan includes a Classification System for Local and Regional Facilities (Table 3-1) that provides guidance on the use, service area, size, and location for various park and trail facilities.

• Download parks and trails GIS data on the Minnesota Geospatial Commons.

• The Metropolitan Council’s Regional Park Use Among Select Communities of Color report includes information that can be useful in planning for diverse park users.