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1 RECREATION <br /> 2 INTENT <br /> 3 Provide an inter-connected and highly accessible City-wide recreational system with adequate public and private <br /> 4 amenities that offer diverse and high-quality outdoor recreation for all socioeconomic levels. <br /> 5 BACKGROUND <br /> 6 The City of Pequot Lakes has a mixture of recreation amenities. Outdoor recreation is a primary reason many <br /> 7 residents have chosen to reside in this part of the Central Lakes Region. Preserving and enhancing recreational <br /> 8 opportunities is a high priority in continuing the current standard of living for residents. Features of Pequot Lakes' <br /> 9 outdoor recreational system include lakes and wetlands, trails, public natural areas, playgrounds, and private <br /> 10 facilities such as golf courses. Indoor recreation is also available at the school gym, local game arcades, coffee <br /> 11 shops,and retail stores. <br /> 12 LAKES AND WETLANDS <br /> 13 Lakes and wetlands are community assets and provide scenic vistas for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. <br /> 14 These bodies of water also benefit Pequot Lakes by providing opportunities for more active recreation. Since <br /> 15 development is prohibited in wetland areas, these pieces of land are ideal areas for outdoor recreation such as <br /> 16 hunting,winter trails,and bird watching. <br /> 17 Within city boundaries, Pequot Lakes has five primarily recreational lakes:Sibley, Mayo, East Twin,West Twin,and <br /> 18 most of Middle Cullen. Lakes are true public open space,yet not all lakes in the City are accessible to the public. <br /> 19 Virtually all lakeshore property in Pequot Lakes is privately owned for residential use; this makes it difficult for <br /> 20 other residents or visitors to use them. Only one public lake access exists on Sibley Lake, and not a single beach is <br /> 21 available for public use in Pequot Lakes. <br /> 22 Most of the lakeshore in Pequot Lakes is owned by private residents, and the majority of those properties have <br /> 23 motorized vehicles for water recreation. During peak summer months,traffic congestion on the lakes is a common <br /> 24 problem.Additionally,each private residence sometimes acts as a"mini-resort",with the large numbers of visitors <br /> 25 each property hosts each summer. Excessive boat noise and congestion may take away from the serenity of the <br /> 26 north woods many residents cherish. <br /> 27 TRAILS AND SCENIC BYWAYS <br /> 28 Trails are a significant recreation opportunity in Pequot Lakes. The most widely-known existing trail is the Paul <br /> 29 Bunyan State Trail, a paved path that currently runs from Crow Wing State Park south of Baxter all the way north <br /> 30 to Bemidji.This trail is a significant tourist attraction that brings visitors through the central commercial district of <br /> 31 downtown. Other trails are available for passive recreation, such as bird watching, horseback riding or walking. <br /> 32 Many of these trails have the potential to be connected to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and bring visitors past scenic <br /> 33 recreation sites throughout the City as well as through downtown. <br /> 34 Many snowmobile and ATV trails are provided through the Grant-In-Aid trails program.The Department of Natural <br /> 35 Resources (DNR)was delegated responsibility by the Minnesota Legislature to administer a cost-sharing program <br /> 36 for the development and maintenance of public recreational motor vehicle(RMV)trails and areas.The goal of this <br /> 251Pa_ge <br />