3 - Comprehensive Plan Discussion

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1 Many snowmobile and ATV trails are provided through the Grant-In-Aid trails program.The Department of Natural 2 Resources (DNR) was delegated responsibility by the Minnesota Legislature to administer a cost-sharing program 3 for the development and maintenance of public recreational motor vehicle(RMV)trails and areas.The goal of this 4 program is to create and maintain local trails at the initiative of local trail organizations and units of government. 5 The state's intent is to offer financial assistance so that locally controlled trails can exist where none had before. 6 These trails provide opportunities for recreational clubs. The designated Grant-In-Aid Snowmobile Trail travels 7 through Pequot Lakes parallel to the Paul Bunyan Trail, and it is in use mainly December through March. Similar 8 trails open primarily during the winter months have difficulty keeping summer ATV users from illegally using the 9 trail,which causes significant damage.The City could benefit from these trails by exploring other uses for the trails 10 during the summer months. Two options include expanding equestrian trails where appropriate, and creating 11 I mountain biking trails. Mountain biking is a low impacts and extFe el popular sport. Many cyclists on the Paul 12 Bunyan Trail may enjoy the opportunity to veer off the path onto more challenging terrain. Just a few simple 13 mountain biking courses could establish Pequot Lakes as a destination for mountain bikers. City ownership and 14 maintenance would also help deter ATV users from tearing up public and private property. 15 The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway,which runs along County Highways 11 and 16 in Pequot Lakes,is another important 16 recreational asset. In addition to providing a "forested gateway"to the City,the byway preserves the scenic value 17 of the area for drivers to enjoy,draws tourists to the City,and provides additional walking and biking surfaces. 18 PUBLIC NATURAL AREAS AND PLAYGROUNDS 19 Many large pieces of forested land, wetlands and open space in Pequot Lakes are publicly owned. City, state, and 20 county public land owners and their bureaucracies create challenges in managing the use of land for recreation 21 purposes. Nevertheless, coordination is necessary in order to provide the most benefits to the community. Public 22 land is an important resource for hunting activities.The Pequot Lakes School District provides athletic fields to be 23 used by students and residents, but eempetiRg iRterests e n be @R elastaele faeilities. The City operates the fire 24 tower and one city park, located up from Sibley Lake on Pequot Boulevard. 25 Apart from any school -owned recreation sites, the city park is the only outdoor gathering place for families in 26 Pequot Lakes. Neighborhood parks and recreation facilities are very important. They provide opportunities for 27 close-to-home recreation. The City must develop these areas in conjunction with new subdivisions. Equally 28 important are indoor recreational facilities.A community center would provide the city with much needed indoor 29 I facility,and greatly expanded range of recreational eppeFt+k+esopportunities available to residents. 30 PRIVATE FACILITIES 31 Private recreation facilities in Pequot Lakes provide an opportunity for people at all income levels to appreciate 32 outdoor activities.Tall Timbers, Linger Longer, and the Wilderness Point Resort offer lake access to people at an 33 affordable price—using one of these facilities may be one of the only ways for some people to have access to lakes 34 in the City. Considering the amount of lakeshore within city limits, private beaches open to the public could act to 35 diversify recreation opportunities during warm months.Of the major lakes in the City,none have resorts registered 36 with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce. ' 37 The Preserve Golf Course and the Bump n' Putt Amusement Park offer additional leisurely daytime recreation for 38 residents and visitors. Private lands provide opportunities for hunting as well as sport shooting. Even though these 39 recreation facilities are privately owned,they provide a needed asset to the City. _ 18IPage