Joint City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission Work Session

AGENDA Joint City Council and Parks & Recreation Work Session 5:30 PM - Monday, March 3, 2025 Farmington City Hall, Council Chambers Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVE AGENDA 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1. Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan 2 - 18 Listen to the presentation, ask any questions you have, and discuss the Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan. Agenda Item: Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan - Pdf 4. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE 5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE 6. ADJOURN Page 1 of 18  SPECIAL WORK SESSION AGENDA MEMO To: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Department: Parks & Recreation Subject: Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan Meeting: Joint City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission Work Session - Mar 03 2025 INTRODUCTION: Dakota County is updating its system plan for parks, greenways, and natural systems. This plan will take the Parks Department into the next twenty years. DISCUSSION: Dakota County completed the last park system plan in 2008. Much has changed since then, so Dakota County is developing its 2050 Vision Plan. The process started in spring 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in summer 2025. As part of the planning process, the Dakota County project team met with City Staff in October 2024 to explore opportunities for new parks and greenways and strengthening partnerships. Staff from Dakota County Parks will be at the work session to present the project overview, 2050 vision framework, and strategies for new parks and greenways. Included in the packet are presentation materials from Dakota County. ACTION REQUESTED: Listen to the presentation, ask any questions you have, and discuss the Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan. ATTACHMENTS: Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan Page 2 of 18  Dakota County Parks 2050 Vision Plan Lil Leatham, Dakota County Principal Planner Niki Geisler, Dakota County Parks Director Farmington Parks & Recreation Commission March 3, 2025 Page 3 of 18  Overview Process 1. Project Purpose Spring – Fall 2024: Research, Community 2. 2050 Vision Engagement Framework Fall 2024-Winter 2025: 3. Strategies for Vision Framework and new parks and Develop Draft Plan greenways Spring 2025: Public Review Draft Plan, Community 4. Questions and Engagement Discussion Page 4 of 18 Spring - Summer 2025: Final Plan and Approvals  Project Purpose • Update 2030 Vision • Respond to changing demographic and outdoor recreation trends • Respond to critical issues facing society • Establish goals for Indigenous engagement and partnership to protect culturally sensitive resources • Evaluate potential for new park, greenway, and conservation units • Identify consistent funding sources and partnerships Page 5 of 18  Vision Framework VISION Nature Protected, Community Reflected, All Are Connected Page 6 of 18  Vision Framework - Goals Dakota County Parks will: 1. Nurture the reciprocal relationship between people and nature. 2. Cultivate belonging by engaging and serving the whole community, with an emphasis on those that are under- represented in the outdoors. 3. Provide core services and amenities at a level where people feel safe, have a positive experience, and become return visitors. 4. Create dynamic spaces with signature recreation Page 7 of 18 experiences.  Vision Framework - Goals Dakota County Parks will: 5. Expand environmental stewardship through outdoor programs, learning, and volunteerism. 6. Offer opportunities to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health. 7. Strengthen partnerships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to protect culturally significant lands and traditions within parks. 8. Locate new park units close to people or to protect natural areas and recreation assets. Page 8 of 18 9. Lead on ecological health and climate resilience.  Vision Framework - Goals Dakota County Parks will: 10. Elevate cultural richness through arts, historic preservation, and interpretation. 11. Seek values-based and mission-driven partnerships. 12. Care for the system through sustainable and innovative funding. 13. Invest in a diverse and thriving Parks Department workforce that represents the communities we serve. 14. Support sustainable economic development. Page 9 of 18  New Park and Greenway Units Park Goal 8 Service Area Gaps Locate new park units close to people or to protect community open space and recreation assets. Strategies for discussion: A. New search areas to locate new parks and greenways close to people Greenway B. Expand Greenway Collaborative Service to partner with cities for more Area Gaps nature-based recreation along greenways C. Community trail loops Page 10 of 18  Tools to address needs Regional System County System • Regional Park • County Park • Regional Park Reserve • County Park Conservation Area* • Regional Greenway • Community Trail Loop* • Expanded Greenway Collaborative * • Bridging Facility* • Special Recreation Feature* • Cultural Landscape and Open Space Classification* Page 11 of 18 *New for Dakota County since 2030 Plan  A . Park Search Areas Page 12 of 18  A. Greenway Search Corridors Page 13 of 18  B. Expand Greenway Collaborative B. Expand collaboration efforts to include partnership to advance equity and accessibility in the outdoors. • Provide more nature-based recreation offerings. • County could help fund, city could construct and maintain. • Examples: • Fishing piers • Walking scale accessible trail loops • Nature play areas Page 14 of 18 • Overlook  C. Community Trail Loop Concept • Local trail loops connected to greenways • Possibilities for partnership oLocally led projects oPotential for political and technical support (e.g. studies, grant writing) from county Page 15 of 18  Questions and Discussion Next Steps • Feb-March: Development of draft vision plan document • April- May: Public review • July: Anticipated plan adoption by Dakota County Board of Commissioners Page 16 of 18 Thank you!  Park and Greenway Search Areas Page 17 of 18  Park and Greenway Search Areas Page 18 of 18