Parks, Trails & Recreation Master Plan

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Introduction + Planning Process

SHAKOPEE NATURAL RESOURCES PLAN The Shakopee Natural Resources Plan developed by the City of Shakopee in 2008, identifies important natural resources for the city including: the Minnesota River, adjacent floodplain forests, and bluffs. These resources provide ecological benefits (stormwater management, flood control, etc.), as well as economic benefits to the community (increased property value, community identity, etc.). The plan states

The 2005 “City of Shakopee Natural Resources Prioritization Matrix” is included as an appendix to the plan and categorizes the natural features on a “Good, Better, Best” rating system. A Natural Resource Corridor Map is included in the plan and identifies corridor connections. Furthermore, an addendum to this Natural Resources Plan, known as the “Natural Resources Inventory” (NRI) was completed in September of 2002 and follows the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System. However, this inventory has not been updated in nearly 17 years. The plan identifies some goals and strategies for the protection of the city’s natural resources. Primary goals of the plan are to preserve and improve the quality of the region’s environmental resources including water, wetlands, woodlands, non-woody upland vegetation, wildlife, and unique or endangered plants and animals. The plan also identifies the protection of steep slopes in the bluff regions for the preservation of Shakopee’s identity. In addition to these preservation efforts, opportunities for recreation within the city’s natural areas should still be created. Collaboration with adjacent governing bodies to strengthen connections and develop a natural resources corridor system is one element to help strengthen these natural resources.

that economic development in Shakopee has negatively impacted the environmental resources of the region through habitat fragmentation, removal of woodlands, degraded wetlands, and water and air pollution. The plan calls for the protection of these environmental resources but does not provide guidelines or a plan for implementation.

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SHAKOPEE PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN | INTRODUCTION + PLANNING PROCESSES