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1 �- 2 RECREATION 3 INTENT 4 Provide an inter-connected and highly accessible City-wide recreational system with adequate public and private 5 amenities that offer diverse and high-quality outdoor recreation for all socioeconomic levels. 6 BACKGROUND 7 The City of Pequot Lakes has a mixture of recreation amenities. Outdoor recreation is a primary reason many 8 residents have chosen to reside in this part of the Central Lakes Region. Preserving and enhancing recreational 9 opportunities is a high priority in continuing the current standard of living for residents.Features of Pequot Lakes' 10 outdoor recreational system include lakes and wetlands, trails, public natural areas, playgrounds, and private 11 facilities such as golf courses. Indoor recreation is also available at the school gym, local game arcades, coffee 12 shops,and retail stores. 13 LAKES AND WETLANDS 14 Lakes and wetlands are community assets and provide scenic vistas for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. 15 These bodies of water also benefit Pequot Lakes by providing opportunities for more active recreation. Since 16 development is prohibited in wetland areas, these pieces of land are ideal areas for outdoor recreation such as 17 hunting,winter trails,and bird watching. 18 Within city boundaries,Pequot Lakes has five primarily recreational lakes:Sibley,Mayo,East Twin,West Twin,and 19 most of Middle Cullen. Lakes are true public open space,yet not all lakes in the City are accessible to the public. 20 Virtually all lakeshore property in Pequot Lakes is privately owned for residential use; this makes it difficult for 11 other residents or visitors to use them.Only one public lake access exists on Sibley Lake,and not a single beach is ,,%,�2 available for public use in Pequot Lakes. 23 Most of the lakeshore in Pequot Lakes is owned by private residents, and the majority of those properties have 24 motorized vehicles for water recreation.During peak summer months,traffic congestion on the lakes is a common 25 problem.Additionally,each private residence sometimes acts as a"mini-resort",with the large numbers of visitors 26 each property hosts each summer. Excessive boat noise and congestion may take away from the serenity of the 27 north woods many residents cherish. 28 TRAILS AND SCENIC BYWAYS 29 Trails are a significant recreation opportunity in Pequot Lakes. The most widely-known existing trail is the Paul 30 Bunyan State Trail,a paved path that currently runs from Crow Wing State Park south of Baxter all the way north 31 to Bemidji.This trail is a significant tourist attraction that brings visitors through the central commercial district of 32 downtown. Other trails are available for passive recreation, such as bird watching, horseback riding or walking. 33 Many of these trails have the potential to be connected to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and bring visitors past scenic 34 recreation sites throughout the City as well as through downtown. DRAFT-November 2010 29 1 P a g e