Parks, Trails & Recreation Master Plan

NATURAL RESOURCES Envision Shakopee identifies higher-level goals for natural resources including the following:

» » Environmentally sensitive areas outside of the river valley include the bluffs overlooking the valley with their steep slopes, large tracts of undeveloped land, and existing flora and fauna creating rich habitats and scenic views. Sustainable park and trail development should be prioritized in the bluff areas with the focus on passive and natural resource based park activities. Native vegetation should be preserved to minimize erosion. Additionally, viewshed preservation should also be prioritized as an amenity. Existing powerlines and industrial buildings may be difficult to hide but new facilities should be located and constructed with regard to viewsheds from the bluff. Trails and overlooks should take advantage of panoramic vistas, downtown Minneapolis can be seen on clear days. » » Native vegetation preservation and restoration should be a priority in the park system and throughout the community. Areas of mowed turf should be evaluated for conversion to a more natural vegetation regime. The city should develop standards for natural resource maintenance that contain three different levels. These levels should be applied based on the quality of existing natural resources, location and visibility within the park system, and overall park vision created. The recommended levels of maintenance for natural areas incorporated into parks includes: » » Low Input – little to no restoration, existing vegetation is allowed to grow with limited maintenance/ mowing. City staff likely to undertake. » » Medium input – some vegetation restoration provided in specific areas. lower input vegetation preferred such as no-mow grass or similar for high traffic areas. » » High input – high quality natural areas to be preserved and restored. Maintenance routine by experienced personnel – potentially outsourced/ partnership with others.

1. Protect, preserve and enhance Shakopee’s water resources

2. Protect and preserve Shakopee’s open space and other natural resources 3. Encourage and require high-quality, environmentally-sensitive land development 4. Strengthen beneficial connections between the natural world and built environment 5. Cultivate a culture of environmental awareness, stewardship and respect These goals apply to this master plan and specific actions regarding natural resources are found in Chapter 3 under the Natural Resources Theme. The city’s current Natural Resource Management Plan was developed in 2008 and should be updated and incorporate the goals of Envision Shakopee and this master plan. From the perspective of Parks and Recreation, there are some key natural resource issues and opportunities that will impact the system as the city continues to grow. » » Minnesota River Valley, including the river itself and the riverine terraces that Shakopee, and previous inhabitants, were drawn to and support a healthy quality of life should be protected and restore as resources are available. The valley provides a number of ecosystem services and significant cultural aspects that directly relate to Shakopee’s rich history as well as the opportunity to establish the city’s identity and sense of place. Controlling erosion, restoring native vegetation, and managing invasive species is an important element that could have a significant impact on the park system. This is an opportunity for collaboration across agencies and landowners; achieving similar goals by pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise to address difficult issues.

system vision

132 SHAKOPEE PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN | SYSTEM VISION