Three Rivers Parks News

Snowmobiling Public Forums Scheduled

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:23:15 -0500

Three Rivers Park District would like to hear from the public about snowmobiling in the parks. The Park District has scheduled three forums to gather public comments related to the Park District’s snowmobiling policy, Ordinance, and a variety of snowmobile-related topics. The Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners will use this information as it reviews Three Rivers’ snowmobiling policy and operations.

The public is encouraged to attend one of the following forums:

Tuesday, June 25, 6:30 PM
Gale Woods Pavilion
7210 County Road 110 West, Minnetrista

Monday, July 1, 6:30 PM
Elm Creek Chalet
12400 James Deane Parkway, Maple Grove

Thursday, July 11, 6:30 PM
In partnership with Scott County
Ridges at Sand Creek
21775 Ridges Drive, Jordan

The public is also invited to complete an online survey by July 15.

Snowmobiling is currently permitted in order to provide links in State Grant-in-Aid snowmobile trails within Baker, Carver, Crow-Hassan, Elm Creek, Lake Rebecca and Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserves, as well as Cleary Lake, Spring Lake and Lake Minnetonka Regional Parks.

Hyland Open House To Take Place May 14

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:34:57 -0500

Three Rivers Park District is considering a project to provide consistently high-quality cross-country skiing conditions throughout the entire cross-country ski season by developing a snowmaking and trail lighting system at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Snowmaking and trail lighting infrastructure will be constructed for a 5-kilometer loop running from the Hyland Visitor Center to the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area. As envisioned, the Hyland Visitor Center will continue to be used as the trailhead for the cross-country ski trail network within the park. The snowmaking trail will utilize existing trails and service roads within the park to minimize impacts on the park’s natural resources. As planned, the project could be complete in time for the holiday break this December.

The public is invited to an open house to learn more about the proposed project and share comments about it. Details are as follows:

Hyland cross-country skiing snowmaking project open house
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
5:00-7:00 PM
Hyland Visitor Center-Lakeview Room
10145 Bush Lake Road
Bloomington, MN 55438

This project will enhance the position of Hyland Lake Park Reserve as a winter recreation provider and will help to ensure that cross-country skiing remains an important part of winter in the Twin Cities metro area. The Hyland snowmaking project will provide consistent snow conditions for recreational cross-country skiers and high school ski meets, and will serve residents of Bloomington and southern Hennepin County. Review a map of the proposed project.

Please contact us with questions or comments regarding this project.

Go Slow for Turtles

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:33:42 -0500

Motorists on park and local roads should be aware of female turtles that are leaving wetlands and crossing roads in search of high nesting ground this time of year.

Most of Minnesota’s nine species of freshwater turtles lay their eggs in late May through June. Turtle populations have been decreasing in North America. Habitat destruction and fragmentation are the major causes for their decline. Each year thousands of turtles are killed on roadways, especially during the nesting season. Turtles may not reproduce until 14-16 years of age and rely on nesting for many years to compensate for high predation on their eggs and young. A mature female killed on a roadway is a significant loss for its population.

Drivers are asked to slow down and be observant while driving on roads near wetlands. By being alert and cautious, it is possible to safely avoid killing these reptiles that are just trying to complete their life cycle. While certain turtle species nest along riverbanks, others may travel far overland and often will cross roads. There are now more roads and more traffic volume on these roads than ever before.

A female turtle digs a nesting cavity, deposits her eggs, and then leaves the eggs to incubate in the warmth of the sun. The eggs will hatch in two to three months, if they manage to escape predation by skunks and raccoons. The hatchling turtles are then on their own to find their way to a wetland and fend for themselves.

Turtles evolved 200 million years ago and their shell has remained unchanged for millions of years. They are among the longest-living vertebrates. Let’s do our share to help preserve these ancient creatures.

The public also is reminded that it is illegal to take or collect snapping turtles in May and June in Minnesota. The harvest ban is intended to protect nesting female snapping turtles.

For more information about the Park District’s efforts to protect turtles, contact Wildlife Technician Madeleine Linck at 763.694.7851.

ADA Transition Plan Survey

Wed, 29 May 2013 10:31:24 -0500

Three Rivers recently held ADA Open Houses to provide information on our commitment to accessibility and to hear how we can better serve persons with disabilities in our community. Feedback received will be considered as we develop our ADA Transition Plan.

Through the end of June, we invite you to share your ideas for reducing barriers and better serving persons of all ages and abilities by filling out our ADA Transition Plan survey.

HSSA Chalet Project Moves Forward

Tue, 28 May 2013 14:45:18 -0500

At Three Rivers’ Board meeting on May 23, 2013, Commissioners approved the schematic design for the new Chalet at Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area and directed the project team to move forward with design development of the Chalet, Chalet parking and Normandale parking expansion project. The Board also approved a resolution setting the total project budget at $14,150,000.

Three Rivers has developed a blog for the project - HSSAredevelopment.com. Three Rivers’ Board Chair, John Gunyou, said, “The site will provide a wonderful opportunity for the community to keep up-to-date on the project while also offering a forum for public comment.” Individuals can “Follow” the blog to receive an e-mail update when new posts are made. The schematic design is available for review on the blog and a construction schedule will be forthcoming.

Elm Creek Dog Off-Leash Area Project

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:26:33 -0500

Preparatory work is underway at the dog off-leash area at Elm Creek Park Reserve for an improvement project that will result in:

A separate small and frail dog area;
A well with a drinking fountain;
Improved entry gates and access that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
Expanded parking

Although some of these improvements will not be completed until 2014, tree removal and other sitework for the entire project are in progress. At this time, it is anticipated that the dog off-leash area will remain open during construction.

Please contact us with questions or comments regarding this project.

New Regional Trail Search Corridor

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:56:01 -0500

Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail to Luce Line State Trail
Three Rivers Park District is collaborating with the City of Minnetrista and other stakeholders on the identification of a new regional trail corridor connecting Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail, Carver Park Reserve, Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Dakota Rail Regional Trail, Gale Woods Farm, and the Luce Line State Trail. From the Lake Minnetonka LRT Regional Trail to Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, the regional trail will utilize existing and new paved trails through Carver Park Reserve, a new underpass at TH 7, and a new paved trail through the future Woodland Cove development.

The City of Minnetrista approved a preliminary route, which will be further developed as part of the master planning process which is anticipated to start in early 2013.