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6 / Chapter 2: A Vision for Elk River <br />Elk River Comprehensive Plan <br />Overarching Vision Statement <br />Elk River’s Vision Statement, as expressed below, and adopted in 2010, captures the <br />“big-picture” aspirations of the City. Specifi c visions for each of the elements of the <br />Comprehensive Plan are provided in each of the other chapters of this Plan, along with specifi c <br />goals and objectives on how to attain those visions. <br />Elk River Vision Statement <br />Abounding in natural beauty, Elk River is a vibrant, historic rivertown that promotes an <br />active lifestyle in an innovative and involved community offering unlimited opportunities. <br />Furthermore, the future of Elk River consists of several themes, including: <br />1. Maintain a distinct identity for Elk River <br /> ·Elk River will keep an identity and character all its own. <br /> ·Natural, cultural and historical resources of the community are essential ingredients of Elk River’s <br />identity. <br /> ·Elk River seeks to grow in a manner that preserves the qualities of its “small town” heritage, including <br />providing community space, maintaining and creating connectivity throughout the city, providing <br />opportunities for social connection and interaction, and having destination locations such as downtown. <br />2. Create and Maintain strong neighborhoods <br /> ·Neighborhoods are the basic building blocks of Elk River and are the reason people stay in Elk River. <br /> ·Residential development is judged on both aesthetics and function. <br /> ·Commercial corridors are the most visible aspect of our community and shape our views and attitudes <br />about the community. <br />3. Keep Elk River a “safe” place <br /> ·Elk River is a place where people feel comfortable and secure. <br /> ·Traffi c safety is an important factor in all aspects of community development. <br /> ·A system of streets, sidewalks and trails encourages safe and convenient movement throughout the City. <br /> ·Elk River is accessible for all people. <br /> ·Municipal services (police, fi re, water treatment) create both the perception and reality of safety. <br />Furthermore, the Vision serves several purposes including: <br /> ·The Vision serves as a tool for evaluating <br />proposals, projects, ideas and new directions. How <br />does this action fi t with the Vision? <br /> ·Creating a Vision Statement allows a shared <br />understanding of community desires for the future. <br /> ·The Vision encourages the community to consider <br />the future, even a future that is twenty years <br />distant. <br /> ·The Vision provides an anchor in times of confl ict <br />and change – a way of fi nding common ground and <br />shared values. <br /> ·The Vision encourages imagination, recognizing that <br />the direction it sets can be the reality of the future. <br /> ·The Vision creates energy and enthusiasm for <br />maintaining the commitment to the Comprehensive <br />Plan.