9.5. SR 05-18-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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13 City of Elk River - Parks and Recreation Master Plan Environmentally Aware From global concerns over climate change and air pollution to local challenges like invasive species management and watershed protection, people across the nation and in Elk River are increasingly aware of the environment and our impacts on it. At the same time, people are also demanding more natural recreation experiences, such as birdwatching, fishing, hiking, hunting, and nature study. People are also becoming more interested in the environmental and health benefits of local food production. Parks and recreation can be a showcase for environmental best practices such as on-site stormwater treatment, green buildings, habitat preservation, invasive species management, habitat restoration, and landscape management. Changing Climate Recent climate trends have brought warmer winters and more severe weather, all of which can impact winter sports such as skating, skiing, and hockey. Wetter, longer springs have meant fields are not playable until later in the season, and warm summers require additional resources to keep fields watered and in good shape. Climate change also means vegetation change. Plants that cannot survive the coldest Minnesota winters are now persisting, and pests and invasive species that had been kept at bay by the climate are making headway into the state. Some implications for parks and recreation departments across Minnesota include: increased demand for synthetic turf fields; interest in refrigerated ice rinks; reduction in neighborhood skating rinks; snow making for more consistent cross-country ski conditions; the need for proactive vegetation management plans addressing Emerald Ash Borer; the need to preserve existing natural landscapes; and the need to manage parks and open space for increased biological diversity. Local Food Production Interest is growing about where food comes from. Farm-to-Table arrangements such as Community Supported Agriculture and farmers markets are popular and effective ways to support and obtain local foods. People are also exploring other opportunities related to the production of foods. Foraging and edible landscapes are gaining popularity along with backyard agriculture such as straw bale gardens. At a larger scale, working farms are opening their doors to the public to learn about the food they cultivate. Some housing developments are incorporating agriculture as the centerpiece of the neighborhood. Many parks systems now incorporate rentable community garden spaces into some of their property. The benefits of local food production include support of the local economy, learning about regional foods and seasons, improved access to healthy foods, and reduced reliance on other regions and transportation.