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I Pequot Lakes is a gateway to the Central Lakes Region.Long-time residents,newcomers,and visitors feel strongly 2 connected to this north-woods landscape.Although rapid population growth and improvements in transportation 3 have the potential to boost Pequot Lakes' local economy, citizens and visitors alike don't want economic 4 development and expansion to occur at the expense of their natural features. 5 Clean lakes,mixed forests,and diverse wetlands all contribute to the scenic beauty and character of Pequot Lakes. 6 These natural features offer residents and visitors a tranquil respite from the stress and toil of everyday life.They 7 provide habitat for plant and animal species.Most local citizens have a deep respect for the natural environment 8 and are committed to preserving it.They understand that future development that degrades these resources can 9 threaten the very assets that make Pequot Lakes a special and desirable place. 30 SOCIAL GATHERING PLACES AND EVENTS 11 Social gathering places such as churches and schools are an important part of the cultural fabric. In addition to 12 providing residents with meeting places,they provide opportunities for citizen involvement in groups and activities 13 that strengthen the community. 14 Encouraging public art by students and local civic groups gives young people an opportunity to engage in their 15 community, enforcing the concept that Pequot Lakes values its youth and takes pride in their education.Yearly 16 festivals like Bean Hole Days, the 4`h of july Celebration, Chokecherry Festival, Taste of Pequot, Antique 17 Snowmobile Rendezvous and Music in the Park provide fun events that celebrate the City's heritage, bring 18 together people of all age groups,and attract visitors from around the state. 19 Pequot Lakes also has a tremendous asset with the Trailside Park area, the land between Highway 371 and 20 Government Drive, adjacent to the Paul Bunyan Trail. To provide more benefit to the community for this area, 21 Government Drive needs to be reconfigured to provide better connections to the park. The park itself, which 22 functions more as a central"square"than a traditional park,also needs some definition to make the space more 23 usable. The current layout of the park has a somewhat random feel that would benefit physically from some 24 defining boundaries. A better understanding of the role of this vital public space would give context to future 15 improvements. 26 OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BALANCED LIFESTYLE 27 In Pequot Lakes,people have the opportunity to live where they also recreate.The Paul Bunyan Trail,numerous 28 lakes, and areas of publicly and privately owned land provide residents and visitors with a variety of active and 29 passive recreational opportunities.The integration of recreation with everyday life prevails in the City. Citizens 30 feel strongly that it is worth preserving, particularly as the population in Pequot Lakes grows and existing 31 recreational facilities face increased pressure.A growing awareness of health and fitness issues points to a greater 32 demand for recreational opportunities in Pequot Lakes. 33 Until recently,Pequot Lakes has stayed on the periphery of growth and development in the Central Lakes Region, 34 partially due to the fact that it does not sit on or near a four-lane highway. Continued growth through the region 35 combined with the widening and realignment of Highway 371 will soon change this. In order to maintain the 36 existing community character, residents want the City to capitalize on the components of community character. 37 They wish to maintain the small-town feel of Pequot Lakes. 38 POLICIES DRAFT-November 2010 6 1 P a g e