Title
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE CITY'S RECOMMENDED TRAIL USE AT CHESTER PARK DURING WINTER GROOMING SEASON.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the Chester Park Mini Master Plan, approved by City Council on November 10, 2014, directed the City to conduct a trial in which the City would permit pedestrian use of groomed ski trails in Chester Park, endeavor during the trial to educate and encourage pedestrians about safe and respectful use of groomed ski trails, and decide, on the basis of the trial, whether to permit shared use by pedestrians and skiers on an ongoing basis.
WHEREAS, a three-year trial that included educational signage, stakeholder meetings, user surveys, trail cameras, staff field observations, and industry research revealed frequent pedestrian-skier conflicts that pose a significant safety risk and diminish the quality of the cross country skiing experience.
WHEREAS, pedestrian use of cross country ski trails departs from the guidelines of the Minnesota DNR Grant-in-Aid cross country ski trail program which helps to pay for the annual cost the City incurs to groom the Chester ski trails.
WHEREAS, there are 4.5 miles of trails in upper Chester Park that will remain open for pedestrians in winter.
WHEREAS, the Chester ski trails will be open to pedestrians outside of the winter grooming season.
WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Commission voted 8 to 1 to designate Chester ski trails for cross country skiers only during the winter grooming season.
Yea - 8, Crosby, Breeuwer, Demmer, Joyce, Jenny Peterson, Kramer, Edmondson, Torch
Nay - 1, Rohrbaugh
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials approve the designation of the Chester ski trails for cross country skiers only during the roughly three-month winter grooming season as indicated in Exhibit A in order to protect public safety, preserve a quality cross country skiing experience, and align with the guidelines of the Minnesota DNR Cross Country Ski Trail Grant-in-Aid program of which the Chester ski trails...
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