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• Preservation <br /> The location of additional structures in the site will likely break open views <br /> into the meadow or prairie from adjacent trails. The structure, what ever its <br /> form, will likely be located in an open meadow, rather than in woodlands. <br /> The design of the structure and location should be considered together to <br /> accent views and to "fit" into the site. <br /> Considerations for a structure include solar access, use for warming house, <br /> picnic shelter, and possibly an educational/interpretive center. <br /> Farmhouse <br /> The existing farmhouse is most likely a temporary structure in the park. The <br /> location on the entrance drive confuses the entry experience of the park user <br /> giving the impression of entering onto a private drive. The farmhouse and the <br /> land behind is a potential location for a picnic structure, picnic area, picnic <br /> parking, and ski race staging area or right-of-way for a future east-west <br /> transportation corridor. <br /> • East-west Corridor <br /> Sherburne County's transportation master plan calls for a new east-west <br /> road that connects County Road 32 to County Road 33 following the southern <br /> edge of the park, across the City Railroad Trail, and through the northern <br /> part of Top of The World Park and through the gravel mine area This master <br /> plan is likely to be adopted by the City of Elk River and may be implemented <br /> in the distant future. <br /> The implications to the park are great. The proposed corridor right-of-way is <br /> 100 feet, however with the steep slopes in the area the deforestation due to <br /> grading will likely be greater. The effects may be greater fragment the forest <br /> ecosystem, increased of noise and pollution and increased light and wind into <br /> the forest which may change the nature of the understory with exotic weeds <br /> and edge species. Furthermore, the continuity between Woodland Trails Park <br /> and Top of the World Park and the City Railroad Trail will be broken. <br /> Concept A <br /> This concept sites a barn structure on the site to be used as a possible <br /> warming house, picnic shelter, education/interpretive center. A barn would <br /> • require a relatively large flat area and would serve as a focal point in the <br /> f:\shrdoc\planning\stevewen\parkmmo\woodland.doc <br />