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1 City of Elk River - Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br />Elk River is powered by nature. Residents live here because of it, visitors expect it, <br />and the city is defined by it. A vibrant historic downtown, strong neighborhoods, <br />and thriving industry are complemented by a landscape rich in natural resources, <br />which includes expansive forests, wetlands, oak savanna, prairie, agricultural lands, <br />and the essential presence of the Elk and Mississippi Rivers. Parks and Recreation <br />are the vital connection points between these incredible natural assets and the <br />residents of Elk River. <br />With 44 parks and recreation facilities and over 1,000 acres of parkland, the city is <br />in great position to strengthen the connections to nature for residents and visitors <br />alike. The Great Northern Trail passes from north to south through the city, and <br />the Mississippi River Trail, which connects Lake Itasca to the Gulf Coast, runs <br />through Elk River. Residents also have access to some of the best cross country <br />skiing and mountain biking trails in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. <br />Because the parks are essential to the city’s identity and to the quality of life for <br />residents, a strategic approach to protecting and cultivating these assets for the <br />future is vital. The Elk River Parks and Recreation Master Plan provides the <br />city with a roadmap for protecting, developing, and improving the park system <br />into the future. The master plan identifies important projects and recommends <br />priorities for the City Council to allocate financial and staff resources in order to <br />achieve its vision for the parks system. The master plan will also be an important <br />tool for evaluating future land use proposals throughout the city. The master plan <br />will provide context and direction for those evaluations, and will specifically help <br />address the proper role of parks and trails in development and redevelopment <br />proposals presented to the city. <br />The plan is organized into five chapters. Chapter 1 introduces and provides the <br />context for the plan. Chapter 2 identifies national and local trends that impact <br />current and future development and use of park systems. Chapter 3 provides an <br />overview of Elk River’s current park system. Chapter 4 provides the framework <br />for the future of the park and recreation system. Chapter 5 identifies the goals <br />and policy directions necessary to achieve the vision for the Elk River Parks and <br />Recreation System. Chapter 6 focuses on implementation, providing the “nuts and <br />bolts” of how to build the park system the city envisions by identifying resources, <br />processes, and tools needed to achieve the vision. <br />Chapter 1 <br />Plan Context and Purpose <br />Introduction