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Using the Plan • Shifting park dedication resources to greenways will reduce funds for • other elements of the park system. In new subdivisions, special assessments and housing improvement areas could be used to acquire and improve neighborhood parks. • Parks and greenways will compete with other services and facilities for property taxes. Some communities have sought voter approval to issue bonds to finance park and open space initiatives. Old Town The Old Town is an essential part of Elk River's heritage and identity. The Old Town land use seeks to preserve and enhance the commercial districts and residential neighborhoods in this area. Designating a land use is only the first step in this effort. Subsequent actions must work to achieve community objectives for this area. Focus future planning on a broader area. Current planning focuses on the downtown/central business district portion of Old Town. The next phase of planning should include the entire Old Town area. This planning initiative would provide a means of identifying needs for preservation, renovation, revitalization, redevelopment and public improvement. Build connections. A key to the revitalization Old Town is creating connections within the area • and to other parts of the community. Some potential connections include: • Streetscape improvements along Main, Proctor and Jackson to create a sense of identity and improve the appearance of the area. • A well defined system of sidewalks and trails to encourage pedestrian and other non-vehicular movement within the area. These connections should link downtown, the school campus, Lion's Park, the River, Handke School and the Library. • Connections through parks, other public open space, trails, and orientation of private development to create visual and physical connections between Old Town and the Mississippi River. Maintain public facilities. Public facilities are key elements of the Old Town. Schools, Lion's Park Center, parks and the Library shape the identity of Old Town and attract people into the area. Improvements to public facilities should consider the objectives of the Old Town and public actions should focus on retaining these public uses in the Old Town. The reuse of the Handke School provides a current example. Future conditions will cause the School District to consider other uses for existing elementary and middle schools. The City and the School District should work for • i(t Building the Future -A Comprehensive Plan for Elk River 3.6 River