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1 RECREATION <br /> 2 INTENT <br /> 3 I Provide an inter-connected and highly accessible City-wide recreational system with adequate publi^ and pFiv ^ <br /> 4 f;;ril:«;^g; «h,* ^Ff^—public and private facilities that offer diverse and high-quality outdoor recreation for all <br /> 5 socioeconomic levels. <br /> 6 BACKGROUND <br /> 7 The City of Pequot Lakes has a mixture of recreation amenities. Outdoor recreation is a primary reason many <br /> 8 I residents have chosen to reside in this part of the Central Lakes Region.,—a-n4 pFeseFvim a erving and enhancing <br /> 9 recreational opportunities is a high priority in continuing the current standard of living for residents. Features of <br /> 10 Pequot Lakes' outdoor recreational system include lakes and wetlands, trails, public natural areas, playgrounds, <br /> 11 and private facilities such as golf courses. Indoor recreation is also available at the school gym, local game arcades, <br /> 12 coffee shops,and retail stores. <br /> 13 LAKES AND WETLANDS <br /> 14 Lakes and wetlands are community assets and provide scenic vistas for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. <br /> 15 These bodies of water also benefit Pequot Lakes by providing opportunities for more ^active <br /> 16 recreation. Since development is prohibited en Frany of them—e4 4 in wetland areas,these pieces of land are ideal <br /> 17 paces areas for outdoor recreation such as hunting,winter trails,and bird watching. <br /> 18 Within city boundaries, Pequot Lakes has five primarily recreational lakes:Sibley, Mayo, East Twin,West Twin,and <br /> 19 most of Middle Cullen. Lakes are true public open space,yet not all lakes in the City are accessible to the public. <br /> 20 Virtually all lakeshore property in Pequot Lakes is privately owned for residential use; this makes it difficult for <br /> 21 other residents or visitors to use them. Only one public lake access exists on Sibley Lake, and not a single beach is <br /> 22 available for public use in Pequot Lakes. <br /> 23 Most of the lakeshore in Pequot Lakes is owned by private residents, and the majority of those properties ewR <br /> 24 have motorized vehicles for water recreation.�Dyring peak summer months, traffic congestion on the lakes is a <br /> 25 common problem.Additionally, each private residence sometimes acts as a"mini-resortL,with the large numbers <br /> 26 of visitors each property hosts each summer. Excessive boat noise and congestion may take away from the <br /> 27 serenity of the north woods many residents cherish. <br /> 28 TRAILS AND SCENIC BYWAYS <br /> 29 Trails are a significant recreation opportunity in Pequot Lakes. The most widely-known existing trail is the Paul <br /> 30 Bunyan State Trail, a paved path that will eventually Pearl; 100 miles '^ leRg«h with Peelye« Lake; ^« «h^ „ <br /> 31 +recurrently runs from Crow Wing State Park south of Baxter all the way north to Bemidji.This trail is a significant <br /> 32 tourist attraction that brings visitors through the central commercial district of downtown. Other trails are <br /> 33 available for passive recreation, such as bird watching, horseback riding or walking. Many of these trails have the <br /> 34 potential to be connected to the Paul Bunyan State Trail and bring visitors past scenic recreation sites throughout <br /> 35 the City as well as through downtown. <br /> 171 Page <br />