Discuss 2011-12 Strategic Goal #1; Action Item: "Construct Boat Landing at Rivers' Bend Park"

Each year City Council schedules one or more work sessions to develop priorities for the upcoming two years, and identify specific projects to meet those priorities and vision.  One of these specific action items under Strategic Goal #1: Development/Marketing is "Construct boat landing at Rivers' Bend Park."

As these action items are staff's responsibility to explore, implement and develop at the direction of City Council, the purpose of this case is to discuss this particular action item.

 

In exploring the concept of the development of an additional boat landing on the Rum River, it is staff's recommendation that this action item be reconsidered at a future City Council Strategic work session.  The primary reasons are as follows:

•  Typically, boat landings on rivers are separated by 5 miles or more; and  Rivers' Bend Park is one river-mile upstream of the County's existing landing.
• The expense to construct an 'improved' boat landing after permitting would be in excess of $400,000 dollars with parking.  Because of the first point above, this capital improvement may not rank as high as the many park's related projects shown within the existing 5-year CIP.
• Presently, Anoka County maintains and budgets for the annual boat landing expenses at the fair grounds - which is easily accessible to Ramsey residents (with ample parking).

The attached MN DNR map shows the proximity of the county boat landing (at the fair grounds or Rum River South County Park); as well as another small boat landing at Rum River Central Park in Ramsey, accessed off from County Road #7.  These two boat landings are approximately 12 river-miles apart.  Therefore, it is staff's recommendation that a future boat landing in Ramsey on the Rum is needed; however the best location may be at the site of the carry-on canoe landing at the Boy Scout Camp.  This land along the river within the scout camp has been proposed for city park land at such time as the property would redevelop.

No funding is implicated by this case - the purpose is to consider by consensus, 'tabling' action on the proposed boat landing for Rivers' Bend Park until a future City Council Strategic Goals work session.

 

Based upon discussion.