HomeMy WebLinkAboutMurphy-Hanrehan master plan for 6-20-07 meetingCity of Lakeville
Parks and Recreation
Memorandum
To: Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee
From: Gerald S. Michaud, Director of Parks and Recreation
Date: June 11, 2007
Subject: Three Rivers Park District Master Plan on Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, consisting of approximately 2,800 acres, is located on Lakeville’s western boundary, north of 185th Street. Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve is classified as
a semi-primitive wilderness area situated in an expanding urban area. The master plan identifies a long-term management plan to enhance and protect its semi-primitive nature. Specialized
recreational activities, such as backpacking, camping, hiking, canoeing, and remote biking, characterize the types of future recreational activities being proposed in the master plan.
The highest priority presented within the master plan is to preserve and protect the natural character of the park reserve. Presently there are several types of trails in Murphy-Hanrehan
Park Reserve. They include cross-country skiing, single track mountain biking, hiking, horse riding trails, and dog walking. The park also has a boat launch on Murphy Lake, horse trail
parking lot, group camping, and a cross-country ski trailhead. Existing facilities are all located in Scott Country with minimal to no access by Dakota County residents.
To maintain the vision of Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, the master plan purposely limits new development to facilities that are appropriate to Murphy-Hanrehan’s character. The updated
master plan calls for improved facilities, expanded trail opportunities, and a smaller new trailhead parking lot and picnic area adjacent to Minnregs Lake on the park’s western boundary
and adjacent to the City of Lakeville. The proposed improvements to the Lakeville side include an ADA approved fishing pier, ten-vehicle parking lot, 24 by 26 picnic shelter, vault
latrines, drinking water (well), and a Minnregs Lake aeration system to assist with managing the lake’s fish population. The estimated cost to construct these new facilities is $595,000.
OVER
Staff has reviewed the master plan document and suggests one change from the master plan recommendation for the proposed new trailhead adjacent Lakeville. That recommendation is to increase
the parking from ten to fifteen spaces. Considering the rapid growth in Lakeville, Prior Lake, Savage, Credit River, Burnsville, and Farmington, staff believes the proposed new facilities
will become a popular destination site for Dakota County and eastern Scott Country residents. With that, staff is recommending the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee
considering supporting the attached resolution and recommending approval of the master plan with the one staff recommendation of increasing the number of spaces in the parking lot.
Following the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee recommendation, the resolution will be forwarded to the Lakeville City Council for their consideration of approval.
If committee members have any questions concerning this recommendation, please do not hesitate to contact me.