HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.03.25 Joint Work Session Packet
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
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
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4. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
6. ADJOURN
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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
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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
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1.Project Purpose
2.2050 Vision
Framework
3.Strategies for
new parks and
greenways
4.Questions and
Discussion
Overview
Process
Spring – Fall 2024:
Research, Community
Engagement
Fall 2024-Winter 2025:
Vision Framework and
Develop Draft Plan
Spring 2025: Public Review
Draft Plan, Community
Engagement
Spring - Summer 2025:
Final Plan and Approvals
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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 partnershipsPa
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Vision Framework
Nature
Protected,
Community
Reflected,
All Are
Connected
VISION
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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
experiences.
Vision Framework - Goals
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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.
9.Lead on ecological health and climate resilience.
Vision Framework - Goals
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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.
Vision Framework - Goals
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Goal 8
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
B.Expand Greenway Collaborative
to partner with cities for more
nature-based recreation along
greenways
C.Community trail loops
New Park and Greenway Units
Park
Service
Area Gaps
Greenway
Service
Area Gaps
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Tools to address needs
Regional System
•Regional Park
•Regional Park Reserve
•Regional Greenway
•Expanded Greenway
Collaborative *
•Bridging Facility*
•Special Recreation Feature*
•Cultural Landscape and
Open Space Classification*
County System
•County Park
•County Park Conservation
Area*
•Community Trail Loop*
*New for Dakota County since 2030 Plan
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A . Park Search Areas
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A. Greenway Search Corridors
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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
•Overlook
B. Expand Greenway Collaborative
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•Local trail loops connected to greenways
•Possibilities for partnership
o Locally led projects
o Potential for political and technical support (e.g.
studies, grant writing) from county
C. Community Trail Loop Concept
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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
Thank you!
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Park and Greenway Search Areas
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Park and Greenway Search Areas
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