8Aii - Comprehensive Plan Discussion - Recreation

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I program is to create and maintain local trails at the initiative of local trail organizations and units of government. 2 The state's intent is to offer financial assistance so that locally controlled trails can exist where none had before. i 3 These trails provide opportunities for recreational clubs. The designated Grant-In-Aid Snowmobile Trail travels 4 through Pequot Lakes parallel to the Paul Bunyan Trail, and it is in use mainly December through March. Similar 5 trails open primarily during the winter months have difficulty keeping summer ATV users from illegally using the 6 trail,which causes significant damage.The City could benefit from these trails by exploring other uses for the trails 7 during the summer months. Two options include expanding equestrian trails where appropriate, and creating 8 mountain biking trails. Mountain biking is a low impact,popular sport. Many cyclists on the Paul Bunyan Trail may 9 enjoy the opportunity to veer off the path onto more challenging terrain. Just a few simple mountain biking 10 courses could establish Pequot Lakes as a destination for mountain bikers. City ownership and maintenance would 11 also help deter ATV users from tearing up public and private property. 12 The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway,which runs along County Highways 11 and 16 in Pequot Lakes,is another important 13 recreational asset. In addition to providing a "forested gateway"to the City,the byway preserves the scenic value 14 of the area for drivers to enjoy,draws tourists to the City,and provides additional walking and biking surfaces. 15 PUBLIC NATURAL AREAS AND PLAYGROUNDS 16 Many large pieces of forested land,wetlands and open space in Pequot Lakes are publicly owned. City, state, and 17 county public land owners and their bureaucracies create challenges in managing the use of land for recreation 18 purposes. Nevertheless, coordination is necessary in order to provide the most benefits to the community. Public 19 land is an important resource for hunting activities.The Pequot Lakes School District provides athletic fields to be 20 used by students and residents.The City operates the fire tower and one city park, located up from Sibley Lake on 21 Pequot Boulevard. 22 Apart from any school -owned recreation sites, the city park is the only outdoor gathering place for families in 23 Pequot Lakes. Neighborhood parks and recreation facilities are very important. They provide opportunities for 24 close-to-home recreation. The City must develop these areas in conjunction with new subdivisions. Equally 25 important are indoor recreational facilities.A community center would provide the city with much needed indoor 26 facility,and greatly expanded range of recreational opportunities available to residents. 27 PRIVATE FACILITIES 28 Private recreation facilities in Pequot Lakes provide an opportunity for people at all income levels to appreciate 29 outdoor activities.Linger Longer,and the Wilderness Point Resort offer lake access to people at an affordable price 30 — using one of these facilities may be one of the only ways for some people to have access to lakes in the City. 31 Considering the amount of lakeshore within city limits, private beaches open to the public could act to diversify 32 recreation opportunities during warm months. 33 The Preserve Golf Course and the Bump n' Putt Amusement Park offer additional leisurely daytime recreation for 34 residents and visitors. Private lands provide opportunities for hunting as well as sport shooting. Even though these 35 recreation facilities are privately owned,they provide a needed asset to the City. 36 As the population of Pequot Lakes continues to grow, so too will demand for recreational opportunities. The 37 recreational resource base has not increased at the same rate as population growth— in fact, the resource base 38 has shrunk as natural areas and lakeshores have been converted to private,residential use. In addition, many new 39 families and retirees moving to Pequot Lakes have increased wealth and leisure time, as well as a stronger 261 Page