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PROJECT APPROACH
<br /> Lil Leatham,lead park and recreation planner, is an award-winning park planner and landscape architect who brings hands-
<br /> on experience. Lil has prepared successful park, recreation,and trail and bikeway plans for Brooklyn Park, Inver Grove Heights,
<br /> Rosemount,Dakota County,St.Paul,Duluth and Cloquet,among others. Lil will lead the preparation of plan content and will share
<br /> facilitation responsibilities with Greg.
<br /> Paul Paige,lead park designer,is a highly experienced landscape architect and park designer, Elk River resident,and former Elk
<br /> River Parks and Recreation Commissioner. Paul will lead the preparation of detailed plans for park and recreation focus areas and
<br /> will assist with preparation of the Master Plan.
<br /> Gabrielle Grinde,park and recreation planner,brings her knowledge,communication skills,and design and graphic abilities
<br /> to park and recreation planning. She will assist with plan preparation,graphics,and meeting support. Gabrielle has hands-on
<br /> experience with planning in Saint Paul,Brooklyn Park,Edina,Dakota County and other communities.
<br /> Kevin Clarke,park and recreation planner,is an experienced park planner who has worked with Douglas County,Worthington,
<br /> White Bear Lake, and Minneapolis on park and recreation system master plans. Kevin will assist with facility evaluation, plan
<br /> preparation,and meeting support.
<br /> Rita Trapp,planner and funding specialist,brings her extensive knowledge of grant and foundation funding,and park dedication
<br /> to the Elk River Park and Recreation Plan.
<br /> PROJECT APPROACH
<br /> We at HKGi view the Elk River Parks and Recreation Master Plan as a guide to a sustainable path for the future of the parks,recreation,
<br /> trails,active living,and natural resource system. To create that guide we propose a five step process:
<br /> 1.Inventory and Evaluation
<br /> 2.Needs Assessment
<br /> 3.Synthesis and Prioritization
<br /> 4.Draft Master Plan and Focus Area Plans
<br /> 5.Final Master Plan and Action Plan
<br /> These phases are designed to work as sequential work tasks and deliverables leading to an innovative, user-friendly plan for the
<br /> future. Community,staff,officials and stakeholder input will help inform all phases of the process.
<br /> We see the park and recreation planning process as a partnership between a core group of City staff and HKGi's park planners,
<br /> landscape architects,designers, resource specialists and funding experts. Through a series of hands on planning work sessions
<br /> with staff we will evaluate the system,develop goals and plans and prioritize projects and actions. That detailed work combined
<br /> with the input and direction from engaging community forums,community surveys,stakeholders and City officials ensures a
<br /> comprehensive and user friendly plan for the future.
<br /> Some of the key questions the master planning process will answer are:
<br /> • What are resident,business and stakeholder priorities for the park,trail and recreation system?
<br /> • How will trends,changing demographics and growth influence park,trail,natural resource and recreation needs?
<br /> • How can Elk River best take advantage of its riverfront setting and access to nature?
<br /> • What park improvements are needed and where should future park land acquisition occur?
<br /> • What should the future Elk River recreation,park and trail system look like?
<br /> • What priority actions are needed to obtain the preferred system?
<br /> • What funding tools,resources and partnerships are needed to implement the plan?
<br /> ELK RIVER PARKS&RECREATION MASTER PLAN PROPOSAL-PAGE 5
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