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IMPLEMENTATION The Master Park and Recreation Plan provides the City of Elk River with a detailed framework for the orderly growth and development of the Park and Recreation System. Implementation of the Plan requires thoughtful consideration of priorities,policies, phasing, financing, maintenance and operation. The following discussion and recommendations for implementation should provide a sound foundation for proceeding with the Park and Recreation Plan. • PRIORITIES The community survey conducted by Decision Resources, Ltd., in December, 1989, provides the basis for establishing priorities that are consistent with the current preferences of the residents of Elk River. The survey indicated a very strong demand for park and recreation facilities. The most popular activity was hiking or walking, followed by bicycling and nature walks. All of these activities suggest that trails should be a very high priority in the Park and Recreation Plan. The survey also indicated strong demand for a broad range of activities, including swimming, fishing, golfing, softball,picnic areas, sliding hills and soccer. The concept `�. of a downtown river walk was favored by 74% of the residents. A nature trail was favored by 74%, an outdoor swimming pool 65%, a nature area/interpretive center 66%, and play equipment 44%. Sixty-five percent of the residents supported the concept of acquiring land for park development along the Mississippi River. Seventy-four percent of the residents supported the construction of an Elk River Community Center. In summary, the community survey clearly indicated that the residents of Elk River desire an improved and expanded park and recreation system. Support for financing an expanded park and recreation system is more difficult and points out the importance of having well-planned park proposals that are in line with resident preferences. The determination of park and recreation priorities is also influenced by other factors. Additional considerations may include the following: Existing City Ownership of the Land Land that is currently owned by the City of Elk River may be a higher priority for improvement simply because it is available and can be developed more quickly and at a lower price. I 108