Updated Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Packet 06-11-2025

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Chapter 5: How We Get There 60 getting thereInitiative 4 Connect to the Rivers The Elk and Mississippi Rivers serve as important recreation assets for the community. These assets are from the downtown event space at Rivers Edge Commons Park to the natural experiences at Bailey Point Nature Preserve, the beach at Orono Park, to the boat launch at Babcock. These assets need to be developed further by improving physical access, or places to be near the river, river views, and movement along the rivers and developing additional ways to experience them. Recommendations 1. Improve riverfront connectivity. Strategies: • As opportunities arise, consider adding riverfront property to the city’s park system with priority on properties or easements that allow for linear connections along the river. • Maintain a boat launch on the Mississippi and on the Elk River above the dam. If the existing Mississippi River boat launch is removed with future Highway 10 improvements, move to another location. • Consider additional “Quiet Craft” launch opportunities. • Partner with local businesses, organizations, or schools to provide kayak and canoe rentals at Orono Park and Bailey Point Nature Preserve. Expand to other locations as opportunities allow. • Acquire prairie river bluff lands south of the Focus Area Study, sub area East Elk River Gateway, as opportunities arise. • Expand Rivers Edge Commons as opportunities allow. 2. Connect existing riverfront public property with pedestrian and bicycle trails. Strategies: • As opportunities arise, extend a connection from Bailey Point Nature Preserve to Babcock Park. Consider: ▶Opportunities along the river’s edge. ▶Add on-road bicycle facilities on Angel St., Morton Ave., and Main St. • Extend the Riverfront trail in conjunction with development, redevelopment, or other opportunities east from Babcock Park and west from Bailey Point Nature Preserve. Page 128 of 240