Parks, Trails & Recreation Master Plan

Stakeholder Meeting Themes include the following:

» » Improve trails and connectivity of parks, close gaps, better sidewalks, 169 bridge, and provide signage. » » Provide more natural areas and access to nature. » » Increase programming, wayfinding and interpretive signage (particularly at larger natural area parks). » » Develop more youth fields for baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse. » » Use an electronic field scheduling system for associations. Don’t rely on staff, provide centralized system. » » Pickleball is popular everywhere else and needs to happen in Shakopee. Adult leagues in other communities, developers are installing on private land because of popularity. » » Acknowledge a diversifying and aging population and modify facilities and programming to better serve. » » Improve communications to all residents despite language and other demographic barriers. Continue to connect to minority populations. » » Improve trail maintenance, especially in natural areas and at the riverfront. » » Continue efforts to connect to minority groups. » » Increase recreation programming and event offerings that focus on families and community that will attract tourists to Shakopee. » » Build on Shakopee’s history, culture, and other regional attractions. » » Sandventure needs a facelift. » » Shakopee needs a splash pad.

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Needs Assessment

PUBLIC INTERCEPTS/ EVENTS Public intercepts were used to gather information from a broad audience by collecting information at the highly-attended Rhythm on the Rails event. A booth was set up at two events in the main parking lot and consultants discussed the parks with residents and visitors. These events attracted a diverse population with a large percentage of families. There were approximately 65 total respondents between the two events that stopped to talk. The responses from the events were tabulated into the results shown in the following section. In addition to these events, City Staff also attempted a public intercept at the Library in order to reach a broader demographic. While there were numerous residents that saw the intercept opportunity, very few took the time to provide input.

SHAKOPEE PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN | NEEDS ASSESSMENT 60