Council approves funds for new regional park in Scott County

“Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park” is proposed on popular fishing lake

Contact: Bonnie Kollodge
651.602.1357

ST. PAUL--May 24, 2007--The Metropolitan Council on May 23 approved a grant of up to $1 million to help Scott County acquire some of the land needed for the future 300-acre Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park on Cedar Lake. The proposed park, including 4,100 feet of Cedar Lake shoreline, is identified in the Council’s long-term park expansion plans as one of the “last best places” in the region for future park development.

“This is a big step forward in the effort to preserve metro-area land that’s ideal for future park use,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “It’s a way to set aside natural areas before development changes them forever, and do so before the cost of land escalates even further.”

The grant will help the county acquire the 61-acre Cedar Lake Farm Resort Park, currently a private park used for large-group picnics. In addition to the grant, Scott County has asked the Council to consider reimbursing the county up to $3.5 million for the property from future regional parks capital improvement programs.

“Parks and other open and natural spaces are highly valued by metro residents and key to the region’s livability,” said Bell. “We see this time and again in our annual Metro Residents Survey.

“Last year, 34 percent of those surveyed identified parks, trails, lakes and the natural environment as the region’s ‘most attractive feature.’ Forty-four percent of residents think it is ‘very important’ to purchase land now for future regional parks and park expansion,” said Bell.

Park acquisition will occur in three phases:

Scott County will acquire 173 acres at no cost, which is land dedicated to the county by a residential developer in exchange for county approval of a planned residential development by mid-2009.
The county has negotiated a purchase price for the 61-acre Cedar Lake Farm Resort, which, including closing and other costs, totals about $4.5 million.
The county will purchase 63 acres owned by 10 land owners, as land owners are willing to sell.

“Creating a new park is no small endeavor and can take years to accomplish,” said Council parks planner Arne Stefferud. “Scott County officials have shown a great deal of foresight. They’ve done an amazing job of getting this land dedicated for regional park purposes.”

Assembling the property is just one part of the process. After purchase, the local park agency assumes stewardship of the property, which includes general clean-up, weed control, ground maintenance and identifying park boundaries, to name a few.

The park is then developed, adding features identified by local citizens, including things like picnic areas, beaches and boating and fishing amenities, for example. Once the park is established, there is ongoing operation and maintenance.

“It takes a strong local, regional and state commitment, as well as a fair amount of resources,” said Stefferud.

The purchase and creation of the Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park is consistent with Council policy calling for the largest expansion of the region’s parks and trails since the regional park system was established in 1974, and preserving some of the last best natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities for future generations.

The Council’s parks policy advocates for three new regional parks and seven new regional trails prior to 2030, and four new regional parks and three new trails after 2030, securing the land in advance to preserve it.

Council plans would expand the regional park system from 52,000 acres to nearly 70,000 acres with funding assistance from the Council, state, federal government, local park agencies and public/private partnerships.

The 10 local park agencies that operate regional parks include:

Park departments in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties
Three Rivers Park District
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, St. Paul Parks and Recreation and Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Today the regional park system includes:

52,000 acres in 49 regional parks and park reserves
Six special recreation features, such as the Como Zoo and Conservatory
28 regional trails, with 172 miles currently open to the public
More than 33 million annual visits.

For more information on regional parks, see http://www.metrocouncil.org/parks/parks.htm.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning agency for the seven-county Twin Cities area. It runs the regional bus and light-rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.