Report - the City of Nisswa Minnesota

Transcription

Connecting Nisswa Lake
to Downtown Nisswa
A Master Plan for a New Park
on the Shores of Nisswa Lake
Prepared for the
Nisswa Lake Park Steering Committee
and the City of Nisswa
May 2015
Prepared by:
Center for Rural Design, University of Minnesota
Connecting Nisswa Lake to Downtown Nisswa:
Master Plan for a New Park on the Shores of Nisswa Lake
This report is prepared for the Nisswa Lake Park Steering Committee
and the City of Nisswa
Study Team Members/Roles:
Center for Rural Design Team Members:
• Dewey Thorbeck, Director
• Steve Roos, Senior Research Fellow, Project Manager
• Melanie Schroeder, Research Assistant
• Christopher Tallman, Research Assistant
Acknowledgements:
This project could not have been accomplished without the cooperation and support of
City of Nisswa Staff
in particular, Alex Hondl, Park & Recreation Director
Volunteer members of the Nisswa Lake Park Steering Committee
and the financial support of
Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
Initiative Foundation
City of Nisswa Park Dedication Funds
May 2015
Center for Rural Design
College of Design, and
College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences
University of Minnesota
Table of Contents
• Introduction and Background
4
• History of Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area 6
• Setting and Regional Context
10
• Regional Significance
12
• Site Information
18
• Public Engagement and Citizen Participation
24
• Draft Design Scenarios
26
• Preferred Design Scenario
38
• Appendices
43
Introduction and Background
City of Nisswa and the Region
Nisswa is located in the heart of Minnesota’s Central Lakes Region adjacent
to Nisswa Lake at the north end of
the Gull Chain of Lakes. People, both
residents and visitors, are drawn to the
city for its natural setting and abundant amenities. Recreation in the region
offers a wide range of opportunities
including bicycling on the Paul Bunyan
Connecting Nisswa Lake to Downtown Nisswa
State Trail, boating and fishing on the many area lakes,
golfing, and winter sports.
The Gull Chain of Lakes is
located just northwest of
Brainerd, Minnesota which
is about 135 miles north of
Minneapolis, Minnesota. The
chain consists of 8 lakes and
connecting channels covering 13,000 acres. There are
over 2,500 homes on the
chain that are both year
round and seasonal.
Located near the highgrowth Brainerd/Baxter
regional hub and along the
newly reconstructed State
Highway 371, Nisswa has
also experienced steady
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growth and is poised to
continue this trend.
As identified in the City of
Nisswa Comprehensive Plan
of 2007, “Nisswa’s population has been steadily
increasing and has nearly
tripled since the 1960’s,
when there were 742
residents. According to the
State Demographic Center and the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has experienced
a 55.9% increase in population since 1990, with the exception of a stagnant
period from the mid-1980’s to the mid-1990’s. The Demographic Center predicts
that these growth trends will continue, projecting the city to grow an additional
58.3% by 2030, resulting in a total population of roughly 3,431 people.” Based
on the 2010 census the current population of Nisswa is 1,971.
One of the consequences of growth in the city and its surrounding area is that
most lakeshore property
in and near Nisswa has
been fully developed,
with little to no public access points incorporated.
It is estimated that for
each shoreline mile on
Gull Lake there are 27.8
seasonal or permanent
residences. The other
lakes in the chain likely
have similar development
densities.
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History of Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area
The concept of a park located on Nisswa Lake
adjacent to downtown Nisswa was first explored
by the Minnesota Design Team (MDT) during their
visit to Nisswa in October, 1999. The park was
described as a significant resource to the city
providing rare public access to lakeshore for both
residents and visitors to the city and region. Its
proximity to downtown Nisswa was seen as a stimulus to economic development and the community
was encouraged to seek opportunities for land
acquisition in the future.
In 2007 lake frontage land became available
in nearly the same location as that examined by
MDT. The Nisswa City Council authorized a conceptual study and drawing of a park and facilities on
the parcel.
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Later in 2007 the Nisswa City Council dedicated $37,500 from Park Dedication
Funds toward purchase, planning, and development of the park. Citizens from the
community formed Friends of Nisswa Lake Park to promote the creation of the
park and raise additional funds for the project. Over the next few years, through
significant local contributions and a successful Minnesota Parks & Trails Legacy
Grant award enough money was raised to purchase the land.
The property consists of lots 11 and 12 of Nisswa Lake Estates. The property is
adjacent to Outlot A owned by the MN DNR and proposed to be developed as a
public access boat launch.
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History of Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area
In 2011 the City of Nisswa and the MN DNR enter into a Joint Powers Agreement
to study, survey and inventory the combined parcels to determine the feasibility
of developing the entire site as separately owned but shared facility with each
partner meeting their own specific charges and responsibilities. In 2012 Short
Elliott Hendrickson Inc (SEH) was hired to conduct the study. The study provided
invaluable preliminary inventory and site analysis data for the site.
Preliminary
Site Analysis
Preliminary
Topography and Climate
Analysis
Preliminary
Program Analysis
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In 2013 reconstruction of State Hwy 371 provided the opportunity to construct
a bike/pedestrian access tunnel connecting the park/boat launch properties to
downtown Nisswa. As part of the construction the City, working with SEH, funded
the design and installation of a pocket park access area on the downtown side of
the tunnel The pocket park provides scenic access to the tunnel and much needed
public gathering space in downtown.
In the fall of 2013 the City of Nisswa began discussions with the Center for Rural Design (CRD) at the University of Minnesota to determine an approach to
develop a design concept and master plan for the park based on a solid public
participation process. Early in 2014 the City entered into an agreement with CRD
to work under the oversight of an appointed Steering Committee composed of
a diverse group of interested citizens. The Steering Committee was charged with
guiding the development of a citizen approved concept design for the park and
making a formal recommendation to the City of Nisswa City Council on how to
proceed with park development. This report constitutes the concept design/master plan that the Steering Committee and CRD were charged with producing.
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Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area
Setting and Regional Context
Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area (NLPRA) is located on the northern shore
of Nisswa Lake adjacent to State Hwy 371 which separates it from downtown
Nisswa. The park property consists of lots 11 and 12 of Nisswa Lake Estates and
abuts Outlot A which is owned by the MN DNR. Outlot A is intended to be developed as a public access boat launch serving the northern end of the Gull Chain
of Lakes. A key asset of the park is its location with easy access for pedestrians,
bicyclists, and motorists to both downtown and State Hwy 371.
NLPRA connects to downtown in two ways:
• Pedestrians and bicyclists can access the
park through a pedestrian/bicycle tunnel
connecting downtown Nisswa through the
pocket park to the northern edge of Nisswa Lake Park,
• All users can access the park along Hazelwood Drive to a stoplight-controlled
crossing at State Hwy 371, continue
along County 18 to Smiley Rd., and on
into downtown - a distance of approximately 3/4 miles.
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Both access points connect directly with Outlot A owned by MN DNR. A cooperative agreement is in place which allows the City of Nisswa to develop entry drive
and trail access to park property with MN DNR approval of the design.
NLPRA is owned by the City of Nisswa and will be developed and operated as
a component of their Parks and Recreation system. However, within the region the
park would fill a unique niche both in terms of its location and its ability to serve
a regional need. As
seen in the map below, the park’s location along State Hwy.
371 is significantly
separated from other
parks in the region,
in particular, public
access parks on lakeshore sites that offer
recreational amenities and facilities. The
nearest comparable
public access parks
are in the Brainerd or
Baxter park systems.
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Regional Significance
In considering the role of Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area the City of Nisswa recognizes that the rare opportunity to develop a public access park facility on lakeshore adjacent to a public access boat launch will serve the needs of
regional residents and visitors as well as the citizens of Nisswa. In addition, the
park’s proximity to the Paul Bunyan State Trail offers users of the trail a unique
opportunity to access a lake front wayside stop with a natural setting. The image
below shows the various connections the park has to local and regional features.
The City of Nisswa is also a partner in the planning process for the future Gull
Lake Walking and Biking Trail which is intended to traverse the western side of
Gull Lake and wrap around to connect to the Paul Bunyan State Trail at Nisswa.
Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area will serve as the end node of the proposed Gull Lake Trail and provide connection to the Paul Bunyan Trail through
downtown Nisswa.
Through collaborative design and cooperative agreements with MN DNR the
development of the adjoining facilities will compliment each other providing a
seamless experience, opportunities for nature-based recreation, and enhanced
facilities to users. The end goal is to achieve a synergism between the two facilities that exceeds what either could achieve alone. The map to the left shows the
Gull Chain of Lakes with orange dots indicating existing boat launches and the
red rectangle representing the location of NLPRA.
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Connecting Nisswa Lake to Downtown Nisswa
MN Dept. of Natural Resources Public Boat Access Sites
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NLPRA has been conceived of and designed with the needs of the region in mind.
In particular, the guiding principles and themes for regional parks as set out in
the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Strategic Plan were considered
throughout the design process. The ways that NLPRA addresses each guiding principle is outlined below.
Principle/Theme #1 – Support Merit-Based Projects Most Relevant to and Valued
by Residents of, and Visitors to, Greater Minnesota
• NLPRA has been vetted as a significant asset by the citizens of Nisswa and
the surrounding area through a community engagement process that included both a face-to-face workshop and two online surveys. These surveys
and workshop generated over 350 online responses and over 115 participants from around the Gull Lake chain area.
• Proposed recreation opportunities and facilities were chosen and designed
based on the input and feedback of the community engagement process.
• The planning and design process was conducted with input from the MN
DNR so as to compliment the proposed public access boat launch adjacent
to Nisswa Lake Park. As the northern most boat access on the Gull Lake
chain the boat launch will attract boaters from around the region and state
enhancing the regional significance of Nisswa Lake Park.
• NLPRA will serve as a high quality, easy access, and scenic way-stop for
travelers On State Hwy 371.
Principle/Theme #2 – Support Projects Emphasizing High Quality Outdoor Experiences and Healthy Lifestyles
• NLPRA will offer a rare opportunity for public access to high quality and
scenic lake shore. The park will provide both active and passive recreation
opportunities in an area with limited public water access.
• NLPRA will be a designated scenic and recreational way-stop for the Paul
Bunyan Trail, a regionally significant recreation trail, which passes through
downtown Nisswa.
• Facilities to support bicycle access (e.g., bike racks) will be located both
within the park and in the Pocket Park at the downtown end of the pedestrian access tunnel.
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Principle/Theme #3 – Support Projects Emphasizing Near-Home Access and Connectivity
• The City of Nisswa is a well-established attraction and tourist destination
along State Hwy. 371. Nisswa Lake Park is directly connected to the City
of Nisswa downtown by a pedestrian tunnel under State Hwy. 371 providing easy and safe access for local citizens and visitors to the City. The park
also offers street access and parking for residents from the City and surrounding area arriving by car or bicycle.
Principle/Theme #4 – Support Projects that Protect Threatened/Exceptional Areas of High Quality Natural Resources
• Nisswa Lake Park occupies one of a very few publicly owned, undeveloped
parcels of lake shore in the region. The planned facilities and recreational
opportunities preserve the character and environment of the land to the
greatest extent possible while offering public access to a high quality experience.
• In partnership with the MN DNR Nisswa Lake Park and the boat launch will
be designed to protect the water quality of Nisswa Lake and adjoining
water bodies.
Principle/Theme #5 – Support Projects that Foster Economic Development in
Greater Minnesota Cities, Townships, and Counties
• Nisswa Lake Park will significantly enhance the role of the City of Nisswa
as a regional and state-wide tourist attraction, offering a unique experience to engage with nature and water activities that compliments the existing attractions within the City. Currently, there is no city park in Crow Wing
County that is designated as regionally significant.
• Providing boat access and docking at the northern end of the Gull Lake
chain will encourage boat travel throughout the chain increasing the opportunity for service and recreational business growth in the region.
• The pedestrian tunnel under State Hwy 371 provides safe access between
downtown and NLPRA for visitors to the park which will stimulate increased
sales for businesses in downtown Nisswa.
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As a rare piece of public lakefront Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area provides regional residents the opportunity to access a natural and scenic setting as
well as compliments other adjacent regional ammenities such as the Paul Bunyan
State Trail and the proposed MN DNR boat launch facility. The NLPRA meets the
qualifying criteria for regional significance in the following ways:
Criteria #1:Provides a Special High-Quality Outdoor Recreation Experience
The NLPRA is completely unique for the Brainerd Lakes Area. It will provide water access,
hiking/walking/biking trail access and access to businesses (eating, shopping and professional services) – all in one spot. Nisswa is already a hot tourism spot and this new amenity
will be the new highlight of visitor’s trip. Because of ease of access (boating, walking, biking, parking), park visitors are sure to return to experience each way to use the land.
NLPRA will offer a rare opportunity for public access to high quality and scenic lake shore.
The park will provide both active and passive recreation opportunities in an area with limited public water access.
With significant high and low spots on the terrain, the recreational area will also be a
great spot for birding and possibility geocaching. Interpretative signage can expand visitor’s knowledge of basic plants, vegetation and sustainability practices. A boardwalk and/
or pier will provide an over-the-water experience for people who don’t traditionally utilize
the water.
A pavilion and/or gazebo building will provide for meeting spaces for special community
events and family celebrations. Additionally, an outdoor amphitheater will provide a place
for performances of all music genres and as well as host to community events, family gatherings, and nature-based education/recreation programming.
Criteria #2: Provides a Natural and Scenic Setting Offering a Compelling Sense
of Place
NLPRA occupies one of a very few publicly owned, undeveloped parcels of lake shore in
the region. The planned facilities and recreational opportunities preserve the character
and environment of the land to the greatest extent possible while offering public access to
a high quality experience.
Having a lakeside, secluded spot on the Gull Lake chain of lakes that is walk-able and
bike- able from the Paul Bunyan State Trail and a major downtown business corridor is what
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makes the NLPRA unique.
A pier and dock system will offer a place for Gull Lake Chain boaters to tie up and explore the downtown. Bike racks will offer a spot for bikers to take a break from their ride.
A trail and rain garden amongst the trees will offer all visitors serenity and peacefulness.
Criteria #3: Well-located to Serve a Regional Need and/or Tourist Destination
The City of Nisswa is a well-established attraction and tourist destination along State Hwy.
371. NLPRA is directly connected to the City of Nisswa downtown by a pedestrian tunnel
under State Hwy. 371 providing easy and safe access for local citizens and visitors to the
City. The park also offers street access and parking for residents from the City and surrounding area arriving by car or bicycle.
NLPRA will significantly enhance the role of the City of Nisswa as a regional and statewide tourist attraction, offering a unique experience to engage with nature and water
activities that compliments the existing attractions within the City. Currently, there is no city
park in Crow Wing County that is designated as regionally significant.
Providing boat access and docking at the northern end of the Gull Lake chain will encourage boat travel throughout the chain increasing the opportunity for service and recreational business growth in the region.
Located in Nisswa, the NLPRA is in the heart of the Brainerd Lakes Area. Thanks to decades of vacationers and a surrounding community of resorts with nationally acclaimed
golf courses, private home rentals and seasonal residents with guests, Nisswa’s population
doubles making it a tourism visitor market.
The region is home to many major community events and has hosted statewide events of
national significance – like the 2014 MN Governor’s Fishing Opener.
Being a block off (and completely bike accessible) of the center artery of Minnesota’s most
famous and regionally significant recreation trail – the Paul Bunyan Trail, will also make
NLPRA a designated scenic and recreational way-stop.
Criteria#4: Fills a Gap in Recreational Opportunity within the Region
The NLPRA will offer a swimming area – next closest is 15 miles away, and there are only
4 in the county (though there are more than 400 lakes). Non-motorized boat access and
close proximity to a downtown business district and public school also fill voids currently not
available.
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Site Information
NLPRA consists of lots 11 and 12 of Nisswa Lake Estates, on the northern shore of
Nisswa Lake and one of the few undeveloped land parcels on the Gull Chain of
Lakes. The parcels lie near the southeastern end of the development adjacent to
State Hwy 371 and south of downtown Nisswa. Connection to downtown is provided directly through a pedestrian/bicycle tunnel under State Hwy 371 that was
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constructed in 2013. The downtown end of the tunnel is already developed as
a pocket park that provides ADA compliant disability access to the tunnel along
with community gathering space and bicycle
access. Additional connection for all users
is provided indirectly
along Hazelwood Drive
to Smiley Road into
downtown. The size of
the two lots combined
is approximately 2.15
acres. Both parcels are
already owned by the
City of Nisswa.
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Site Information
NLPRA abuts Outlot A which is owned by the MN DNR. Outlot A is intended to be
developed as a public access boat launch serving the northern end of the Gull
Chain of Lakes. The size of Outlot A is approximately 3.72 acres.
The NLPRA parcels,
along with the MN DNR
parcel were originally
a portion of a private
residential estate on
Nisswa Lake. Most of
the original property
was maintained in a
natural state and all
remnants of the original buildings have been
removed. The view of the site from the lake is of a natural shoreline, unlike most
of the surrounding shoreline properties.
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Preliminary
Topography and Drainage
Analysis
Preliminary
Climate Analysis
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Site Information
Preliminary
Site Analysis
In 2012, the City of Nisswa entered into a joint powers agreement with the MN
DNR and contracted with SEH to do an environmental survey mapping key physical and biological features on the combined property.
Topography was assessed to determine ridge and drainage patterns as well as
steep slopes. A climate assessment was conducted to identify prevailing seasonal
breezes and sun patterns.
These assessments were developed into preliminary site analysis that included a
vegetation survey of trees. Trees larger than 10” dbh were mapped and identified as either deciduous or coniferous. The site analysis also identifies potential
site access and entry points along with other opportunities and constraints.
The assessments and analysis were combined to develop a preliminary program
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analysis based on general park design concepts. The outcomes of this work were
used to determine that the parcels were generally well suited to the development
of a park while providing the opportunity to preserve and protect the natural
character of the site as well as the water quality of Nisswa Lake. Although this
preliminary work did not include public engagement, extensive citizen participation was included in the conceptual design and development master plan phase
as outlined in the next section.
Preliminary Program Analysis
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Public Engagement and Citizen Participation
In June, 2014, the City of Nisswa engaged with the Center for Rural Design (CRD)
at the University of Minnesota to assist in creating a preferred conceptual design
and development master plan for Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area based
on a comprehensive program of public engagement.
The mission of the Center for Rural Design is to work with people to protect and
improve rural landscapes, cultures, and communities through innovative design
strategies. Through research-based design projects that include a diversity of
disciplines, the Center promotes communication and learning in rural communities
and amongst policy makers about designed solutions to complex rural issues. At
the core of this mission is the need to incorporate citizen participation in the problem solving process.
CRD and staff from the City of Nisswa outlined a preliminary public engagement process that was structured around a City Council appointed citizen steering committee. In June, 2014, the Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area Steering
Committee (NLPRASC) was formed to work
in partnership with CRD. The committee
consists of residents, business owners, and
staff from the City of Nisswa. Acting as
the interface between the community and
the design/planning process the steering
committee was charged with developing
a citizen preferred scenario for programming, facilities, and layout of the park.
Working together NLPRASC and CRD developed a final public engagement process
that included steering committee workshops, online citizen surveys, and a public
open house workshop to gather citizen
input and feedback about design options
for the park.
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In their first workshop, the NLPRASC identified the goal to maintain the environmental character and natural, ‘northwoods’ aesthetic of the property while providing activities for users of the park that would fit within that goal. Then they
developed a draft list of activities and facilities that could fit within the park.
CRD translated that list into the first online citizen survey designed to solicit input
and confirm the desired activities and facilities. The results of this survey are presented in the Appendix of this document.
Using the results of the first survey the NLPRASC refined the preliminary list of activities and facilities into a final set that were deemed suitable to meet the desires
of citizens and appropriate to maintain the overall environmental character of
the park.
In their second workshop, the NLPRASC utilized the final list of suitable activities
and facilities to develop three alternative design scenarios for the park based on
varying the number of activities and scale of facilities. These scenarios are presented and described in the next section of this document.
CRD developed a second citizen input session that included both an open house
workshop and an online version of the workshop. Citizens were asked to evaluate and comment on the draft scenarios. The process involved the opportunity to
select a preferred scenario and provide input as to possible changes to the chosen scenario. The results of this workshop are presented in the Appendix of this
document.
The public engagement plan proved to be robust and the level of citizen participation exceeded normal expectations for a community the size of Nisswa. The
participation numbers are:
• First Online Survey (Activities and Facilities)
188 responses
• Public Open House Workshop (Scenario Evaluation)115+ attendees
• Online Workshop (Scenario Evaluation)
225 responses
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Draft Design Scenarios
Working with the Center for Rural Design, the Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation
Area Steering Committee developed three draft design scenarios for Nisswa
Lake Park and Recreation Area founded on the goal of protecting environmental
character and preserving the natural aesthetic of the property. All designs were
based on a common set of identified activities and facilities. The nature of activities and the scale of facilities varied between scenarios.
The common set of identified activities and facilities included:
• Water Activities
• Paddle sports
• Swimming sports
• Boating sports
• Fishing
• Gathering and Socializing Activities
• Picnicking - large groups and small groups
• Small, quiet spaces for nature observation and relaxation - on shore
and upland
• Shelters for weather protection
• Rest room facilities
• Recreational Activities
• Trails - both ADA compliant hard surface and soft surface (bicycle
access to park permitted but not on trails within the park)
• Swimming and canoeing/kayaking
• Open spaces for other recreation types
• Educational Activities
• Environmental education for schoolchildren
• Environmental management education and demonstrations for adults
• Gathering space suitable to accommodate educational activities
The image to the right was used at the first public workshop station to introduce
citizens to the draft scenarios. Each scenario was explained in detail at succeeding station and presented with description on the following pages.
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Scenario Comparison
Draft Design Scenario A
Scenario A - Features & Characteristics
Scenario A brings the fewest facilities and least degree of development to the
park site, preserving the existing woodlands and natural features of the site to
the greatest extent possible.
Facilities include:
• Parking lot sized for approximately 20 vehicles including 2 disability stalls.
• Trail system connects the regional trail system, the tunnel from downtown,
the parking lot, and a loop circulating around the perimeter of the park.
• Small gathering/picnic areas scattered along the trail and interspersed in
clearings connected along informal pathways.
• Small rest room building along trail near parking.
• Small, informal swimming area off of swimming docks.
• Dedicated fishing dock.
• 6-8 public boat dock spaces
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Scenario A
Draft Design Scenario B
Scenario B - Features & Characteristics
Scenario B brings a moderate number of facilities to the park site while preserving large swaths of woodlands and other natural features of the site. This concepts provides larger open areas for gathering and activities.
Facilities include:
• Moderate sized gathering/picnic areas scattered along the trail and interspersed in clearings connected along informal pathways.
• Two moderate sized (app. 50 people) picnic shelters to provide separated
spaces for gatherings and events.
• Rest room building with outdoor showers attached to the picnic shelter
nearest the parking lot.
• Small amphitheater for gathering, teaching, and small performances.
• Larger swimming area off of swimming docks.
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Scenario B
Draft Design Scenario C
Scenario C - Features & Characteristics
Scenario C brings a fuller range of facilities to the park site to accommodate
larger gatherings and events while still preserving swaths of woodlands and
other natural features of the site. This concepts provides larger open areas and
structures for gathering and activities.
Facilities include:
• More extensive paved trail system connects the regional trail system, the
tunnel from downtown, the parking lot, a loop circulating around the perimeter of the park with scenic overlooks, and an trail along the ridge overlooking the lake with a small paved gathering space.
• Various sized gathering/picnic areas to provide a variety of experiences
scattered along the trail and interspersed in clearings connected along
informal pathways.
• One moderate (app. 50-60 people) picnic shelter and one large (app 80
people) picnic shelter with kitchen to provide a variety of separated spaces for gatherings and events.
• Rest room building with outdoor showers attached to the large picnic shelter nearest the parking lot.
• Large swimming area with separate children’s area off of swimming docks.
• Large dedicated fishing dock.
• Lakeshore boardwalk connecting to boat launch.
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Scenario C
Developing a Preferred Design Scenario
In order to determine the citizen preferred design scenario, and the facilities
that best meet the needs and desires of the community, participants in the public workshop were asked to respond to the overall designs as presented on the
previous pages as well as respond to the individual features as presented in each
scenario. The format of the online workshop mimicked the open house format as
closely as possible in order to combine the choices and comments made by the
participants.
Each feature was presented separately so as to allow participants to easily recognize the differences between the design scenarios. The tally of results for the
individual features follows:
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Scenario A Swimming 55 Scenario B 54 Scenario C
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Boating
Scenario B 62 Scenario C
51
Scenario A 57 Fishing Scenario A 63 Scenario B 66 Scenario C
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Scenario A Parking 48 Scenario B 67 Scenario C
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Developing a Preferred Design Scenario
The various types of gathering spaces, and the facilities that support them, were
grouped into a single category. The results follow:
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Scenario A Gathering 41 Scenario B 63 Scenario C
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(picnic areas, picnic shelters, bathrooms, amphitheater, open space)
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Preferred Design Scenario
The Center for Rural Design tallied the results of community input and design scenario selection along with the written comments provided in both the open house
and online workshops. The numerical ranking is presented below. The full report
along with written comments is presented in the appendices.
The Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area Steering Committee reviewed the
results and developed a preferred design scenario based on Concept Scenario B
with two alterations based on comments provided by the community:
• switch to the larger pavilion and rest room facility from Scenario C
• include the lake overlook trail as presented in Scenario C.
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The NLPRASC intends that all key features of the park will meet applicable federal and state standards for handicapped accessibility. Access from downtown
Nisswa through the pocket park and tunnel already meets ADA standards for
accessibility. Accessibility will be maintained from the tunnel to the park along a
dedicated pedestrian trail. The City of Nisswa will continue to partner with MN
DNR to assure accessible routes between the boat launch facility and NLPRA.
The Preferred Design Scenario represents a concept for park development that
has been vetted with the broad community to include needed and desired recreation and facilities. The represented concepts are grounded in a careful study
and understanding of the site. Specific design details will be developed during
the next phase of planning and design for the NLPRA. This phase will include
design development, preliminary engineering, and preliminary cost estimates. It is
scheduled to begin May, 2015.
The NLPRASC and the City of Nisswa Parks and Recreation Department intend
to apply to the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to gain
status for Nisswa Lake Park and Recreation Area as a regionally significant park
under the Special Recreation Feature Regional Park classification. NLPRA combined with the MN DNR boat launch facility occupies a comparatively small acreage but represents a unique opportunity in the Brainerd Lakes Region where most
of the accessible lake shore has been privately held and developed for decades.
The park, in partnership with the DNR owned boat launch will provide residents
of the region public opportunities for on-site recreational activities that are rare
in the area as well as access to the premier lake chain in central Minnesota. The
intent is to provide these varied services to the public while maintaining the natural character and environmental integrity of the site.
The NLPRASC presented the Preferred Design Scenario to the Nisswa City Council in April 2015. The City council approved the Preferred Design Scenario and
authorized Design development and cost estimating.
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Preferred Design Scenario
Preferred Design Scenario - Features & Characteristics
The preferred scenario retains a moderate number of facilities to the park site
while preserving large swaths of woodlands and other natural features of the
site. This scenario provides larger open areas for gathering and activities, a
slightly larger pavilion with rest rooms, and a slightly expanded paved trail system.
Facilities include:
The trail system will connect with and provide access to the MN DNR boat
launch facility.
• Moderate sized gathering/picnic areas scattered along the trail and interspersed in clearings connected along informal pathways.
• One moderate (app. 50-60 people) picnic shelter and one large (app 80
people) picnic shelter with kitchen to provide a variety of separated spaces for gatherings and events.
• Rest room building with outdoor showers attached to the larger picnic
shelter nearest the parking lot. The rest rooms will also service the MN DNR
boat launch facility.
• Small amphitheater for gathering, teaching, and small performances.
• Larger swimming area off of swimming docks.
• 10-12 public boat dock spaces that will allow visitors arriving by boat to
dock and use the park facilities or access downtown Nisswa. The docks will
also service the MN DNR boat launch facility.
40
41
Preferred Scenario
42
Appendices
• Public Engagement Outcomes
• Activities and Facilities Online Survey
• Concept Scenario Review and Input
• Letters of Support
• City of Nisswa/ MN DNR Cooperative Agreement
43
Activities and
Facilities Online
Survey
Raw Data Report
Nisswa Survey Report
Last Modified: 08/13/2014
1. Please select which modes of transportation you envision using to get to
Nisswa Lake Park.
#
1
2
3
4
5
Answer
Car
Bike
Walk
Boat
Other
Response
82
67
73
48
12
%
60%
49%
54%
35%
9%
kayak
NONE
won't use the park
none
I live on the lake
none
no park
Will not use the park
none
Live on lake
2. Which mode of transportation do you envision using the most to get to Nisswa
Lake Park?
#
1
2
3
4
5
Answer
Car
Bike
Walk
Boat
Other
Total
NONE
won't use the park
none
I live on the lake
none
Doubt I'll visit park
no park
see above
none
Response
44
26
32
25
10
137
%
32%
19%
23%
18%
7%
100%
3. Now looking at the regional chain of lakes, please Click on the map below
showing where you will likely travel from to get to Nisswa Lake Park. [i.e. your
residence, a resort, downtown Nisswa, a particular lake, etc.] Indicate up to 3
starting point locations.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
123
4. WATER ACTIVITIES From the following list, please select all activities that you
have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also add your
own activity in the "other" option if you do not see a particular activity that
interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Answer
canoeing/kayaking
paddle boarding
paddle boating
swimming
floating raft
fishing
launch a boat
anchor a boat off shore
anchor a boat to a dock
Other
Other
none
none of the above
Picnicing, Playground for children
biking
NONE
won't use the park
none
none
picnic
pickleball
Nothing would work in this area this whole set up will not work
none
concerts
none of the above
none of the above
Nothing
Dog park
Will not use
none
walking
None
none
volleyball
None
Response
66
44
21
82
41
47
47
11
55
26
%
50%
33%
16%
62%
31%
35%
35%
8%
41%
20%
5. GATHERING ACTIVITIES From the following list, please select all activities that
you have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also add
your own activity in the "other" option if you do not see a particular activity that
interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Answer
picnicking
family reunions
weddings
grilling out
musical
performances
special
occasions/festivals
Other
Response
95
43
24
62
%
73%
33%
18%
48%
68
52%
67
52%
27
21%
Other
Nature walks
outdoor movies
none
None of the above
Exercising on playground
biking
reserving a picnic shelter area
won't use the park
none
walking path
bring guest into Nisswa for shopping
none
like I said this whole set up is ridiculous where do u intend to have cars park ?
none
none of the above
Playgrounds
none of the above
None
none
lake viewing with friends
none
family movie nights
visit Nisswa
No ne
none
You are destroying the lake
6. SOCIAL ACTIVITES From the following list, please select all activities that you
interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Answer
Sitting/socializing in a
small plaza, town square
Sitting/socializing with
movable tables and chairs
Sitting/socializing at picnic
tables in grass + trees
Sitting/socializing/eating on
paved area
Small walk up snack shop
– permanent structure
Pop up snack shop/cart –
seasonal
Campfire rings to use
Sitting/socializing on a
pier/dock
Sitting/socializing on a
deck next to the lake edge
Other
Swim from dock to floating raft
None of the above
socializing at a gazebo type area as a central point of the park
music pavilion
Cooking meals in Kitchen in Gazebo Facility
biking
NAH
won't use the park
dog area
none
outdoor music
none
sport activities
I wouldn't use it because it will not work
none
none of the above
none of the above
Nothing
don't waste the money
playground, gazebo
Response
%
49
38%
34
26%
85
65%
24
18%
28
22%
40
31%
55
42%
63
48%
74
57%
27
21%
none
None
none
parking for main street businesses
Why not fix the one by Gull
swimming area
7. PARK RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES + TRAILS From the following list, please
select all activities that you have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake
Park. You may also add your own activity in the "other" option if you do not see a
particular activity that interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Answer
Walking trail
Hiking trail
Walk + bike trail
On leash dog walking
Sun bathing
Frisbee
Play catch
Yoga
Work out stations
along a trail
Children’s playground
Other
Response
75
35
66
50
51
32
31
25
%
60%
28%
53%
40%
41%
26%
25%
20%
30
24%
67
21
54%
17%
none
keep park as natural as possible. Have activities that are not at the other Nisswa Park and use
the natural surrounding for activities.
fountain
biking
bean bag board, yard games we can bring on our own
snowmobile access to lake?
pickleball
There is no way this can work like the drawing shows & I'm sure you realize that . so why are
you trying to make people believe it can . We are not stupid
none
none of the above
none of the above
Nothing
nothing
fixed musical stations
docking
None
splash pad
Doesn’t seem like much space for walking or hiking trails, or workout stations. I could picture
markets, festivals, Nisswa and Crow Wing County history presentations. Stop off/rest point for
bicyclists, maybe walkers. Possibly a good place to shoot off the fireworks over the lake away
from buildings and trees. Could draw people by boat. May not be a safe place for a playground
and Nisswa already has a very nice setup uptown.
Think what you are doing
8. WINTER ACITIVITES From the following list, please select all activities that you
interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
Answer
Ice Skating
Snow shoeing
CC skiing
snowmobiling
Plowed walking paths
Other
Response
62
46
55
33
52
19
%
55%
41%
49%
29%
46%
17%
none of the above
fires
none
sliding hill??
none
Park closed in winter
This will not work either
none
none of the above
none of the above
Nothing
wood fire
zero, zilch, nada
none
None
I probably would not use in the winter. Ice skating is already pretty well established with
warming house and rinks, I don't have any idea if snow shoeers and x-country skiers would find
it enjoyable just going out on the lake? Certainly good for snowmobilers getting on and off the
lake with access to the downtown. Maybe firepits for summer and winter pinics? Plowed walking
paths, I am not sure the space is there?
Keep it off the lake.
9. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITES From the following list, please select all activities
that you have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also
add your own activity in the "other" option if you do not see a particular activity
that interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Answer
Environmental education
Nisswa History education
Minnesota History education
Geological education
Cultural education
Native American education
Learning space – outdoor
classroom
Other
Response
64
64
36
41
23
32
%
57%
57%
32%
37%
21%
29%
51
46%
17
15%
Lake or water quality education
none
pavilion for teaching, music, plays, concerts
none
none
none of these - many already in Nisswa
This is a bad idea
Comm Ctr Use???
none
none of the above
none of the above
no thanks
none
None
Logging History, including the rail systems and sawmill locations
You will be responsible for land value decrease which will decrease taxes .
10. PARK ELEMENTS + SERVICES From the following list, please select all
elements or services that you have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake
Park. You may also add your own in the "other" option if you do not see a
particular element that interests you.
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Answer
rental services
dockside boat gas
pier
bait/fishing license purchase
a large open grass area
sand beach
Other
Response
34
26
71
14
56
87
21
%
28%
22%
59%
12%
47%
73%
18%
Other
none
swimming area
fire pit, fountain, volleyball net, swimming raft
rental of paddle boats etc.Love to fish of a dock/pier
none
none
none - want area quiet
No commercial activity
none
small sand beach
none
none other than gas
No interests
These things are not possible in this location
none
keep it more natural & wooded
Rental and dockside gas, I am not sure this would be an appropriate use of a city park? Bait
and fishing licenses, No. No large grass area. Keep the trees! Sand beach seems unlikely with
10-15ft. bank. Could be swimming, beach would take some real breaking of all the DNR
lakeshore regulations. Restrooms? Would need them. Who would pay for daily maintenance
and vandalism?
Stop it and save the lakes.
nature based play space playground
11. In relation to park aesthetic and character of place, please use the slider bar
below to indicate how you envision Nisswa Lake Park. Is it a wild, pristine nature
- type place with little human influence and structure... is it a cleaned up, weeded
version of nature with some maintained forest, mown lawn and moderate
human/social structure and intervention.... or is it a city beautiful, very groomed
park with a high human influence and social opportunity, acting as an extension
of downtown Nisswa.
#
Answer
1
Park
Aesthetic
Min Value
Max Value
0.00
10.00
Average
Value
Standard
Deviation
Responses
4.68
2.78
117
12. Additional Suggestions + Comments
Text Response
Would like to see some renderings or visual depictions of possible amenities that would help me
visualize what some of these options would look like at the Nisswa Lake setting. Thank you!
Lol, Reed Larson is my dad, well done survey. A few typos, you should have outdoor chess,
that would be da bomb. Thankx
Having a public connection to the lake so close to the downtown area is a wonderful challenge.
The better the personal "feel" to the water and the shore land, the better chance we have to
conserve it. Thank you for asking for input. Good luck in your effort.
The current Mayor and soon to be former mayor has shoved this park on the city's with no
regard for the ongoing maintenance costs. This park and the new 'pocket park' will no doubt
require the addition of an additional maintenance man to the city payroll which will with benefits
cost the tax payers an additional $100,000 per year. This added to the already bloated city
costs is unconscionable. The proposed city park has been 'sold' as a swimming beach which it
will never be with the 6ft of mud at the bottom of the lake in front of the property. The entire
project is a money pit.
This park should serve the need of those who utilize walking and biking trails. Those who would
like to spread out for a picnic.
Let's not complicate it, why would we need more ice skating, or to bog the city down with
ski/skate/snowshoe rental. Make it a beautiful, natural setting with the outdoor being
appreciated and the lake being loved. Maybe a shade sail and a pavilion, fire pit, simple
fountain, benches.
Three rivers parks are great examples; there is a beautiful park called Silverwood that one could
look at if you wanted to see a natural area made beautiful.
I want it to attract parents and their children. A place to play (traditional park), a place to lounge
(gazebo, benches, pier with benches) and mild exercise from walking trails, play ground
equipment, obstacle course, rental non motorized boats.
Please Be Environmentally Responsible In Design!
I think this is a wonderful Idea. Also to have a map for the visitors as to where things are
downtown Nisswa and the surrounding business along Hazelwood
I envision this opportunity to have simple amenities to accommodate the public but protecting
the green space is important. That's why people have always come north. Don't become a
"Baxter", keep it simple ....dress it up for the festivals as needed, make enough access so
lakers can boat to Nisswa, but no permanent docks. Day docks only. Some picnic areas and
fire pits are great. Please don't strip it, keep it green.
I do not have the ability to live on the lake. I look forward to driving, walking from downtown
Nisswa to sit and relax, bring family together for a picnic (reserve a shelter/picnic tables), and
go fishing off a dock/pier. Thank you for your vision of enriching the lives of people who live,
work and play here. Lori
As a resident living on a lake I don't see us using the park unless it would be for educational
activities for youth in the area.
Hope to see it completed soon!
I think Nisswa Lake Park is a great idea - but I believe that PARKING and street maintenance
are more of an issue for the City of Nisswa than anything else at this present time. How can
you "add" one more thing for people to "do" without addressing the issue of parking? A park will
mean more people without increasing parking options... In the summer a year around resident
cannot even go to the Nisswa Post Office and pick up their mail without driving around the block
3 or 4 times searching for a parking space and then if you get one you are lucky!
As an owner on Nisswa Lake I'm very concerned what both projects will do to our lake traffic on
this small Lake!!!! Greg Larson
We live on Hazelwood Drive and on the lake and are concerned about higher traffic and want to
know where the driving entrances will be to the park--whether an entrance will be off our road or
not.
Need to leave it as natural as possible
$40K for a survey? Glad my taxes aren't paying for that one. I can just hear the ex mayor
carrying on at the next open forum yet again regarding the use of taxpayer monies for this park.
Let's get it done so people can see the purpose of the tunnel instead of a tunnel to nowhere as
present.
We play pickle ball it is the fastest growing sport in the US and the closest courts are at ymca
Brainerd or Aitkin I wish you would check out info on pickle ball
You may have had a plan but it obviously wasn't planned very well for where you are thinking of
doing this.
A big attraction of Nisswa Lake is it's fairly quiet nature. My big concern is the increase of motor
boat activity on the Lake and clearing of trees and vegetation. Hopefully we will keep native
plants down to the shoreline as the DNR recommends. I would like people to be able to enjoy
the lake, but would like to attract people who would use it by swimming and more non-motorized
boats than motorized. The nature of the Park I think will determinethe type of people we will
draw to the park. So i would like to see a more pristine park rather than an urban type park.
I don't really see the need for this park; however, since the city is moving forward, let's keep the
park as simple as possible. It should be designed so that maintenance expenses can be
sustained by fundraising, so that the original declaration that the park will not cost the taxpayers
anything is true moving forward. The area is an "up north" destination and we do not need an
urban park. If folks want to socialize on a patio, we want them to visit a coffee shop or other
dining establishment where their dollars are circulated into the community. We already have
those places in Nisswa and are soon adding 2 breweries to the mix. Nisswa Park's main
purpose should be to give people access to the woods and water since we can't all live on a
lake.
The idea of a park is not in the best interest of Nisswa. It would only benefit property owners in
the vicinity of the park and would be a tax liability to the rest of the property owners in the
Nisswa area. This has been a bad idea from the start and as it progresses I can only see more
taxpayer responsibility with little or no benefit. Please rethink this idea.
A bandstand of some kind for concerts
I do not believe that the City of Nisswa should attempt to provide an amenity/park that is
directed towards a more regional audience. If the City of Nisswa is going to use City funds and
staff it should direct the efforts towards City residents and property owners. Regional amenities
are the responsibility of County governments and the State of Minnesota. I do not see many
Nisswa residents/property owners using the park. As a lake shore owner in Nisswa I do not
see myself participating in any of the activities that were mentioned in this survey.
A great plan for our future.
Nisswa is an incredible experience for the many tourists that visit our lovely place. So enjoy the
experience of the Chamber and Nisswa guests. Believe me it will get bigger.
I would hate to see the the landscape flattened. Keep the hill to buffer the noise of the town from
those of us who live on the lake.
PLEASE be creative. what a wonderful concept to work with!
As the tunnel has already been built...somebody should come up with an inexpensive use of
this park to have made the tunnel worthwhile! End of comment!
I am very concerned about adding another public boat launch. It's one more place that has to
be monitored for invasive species.
I would not like to see food purchase opportunities at the new park, taking away from the
wonderful business owners already providing multi food choices in downtown Nisswa that could
be purchased and brought to the park. I would prefer not to have a large amount of money
spent to make it a very manicured, commercial looking park but rather for it to keep with the
quaint, scenic, solitude more tourists come to Nisswa and this Brainerd area for. Most of the
choices provided that I did not pick are already choices within the area for people to enjoy. I
would not want to see those diminish because of this park but instead to provide an additional
choice for people to have to enjoy Nisswa without making Nisswa become some kind of
metropolis.
A beach and pier I feel would be a great addition and would keep the park busy and used
throughout the year.
Can't wait until it's finally in operation!!!
As adjacent property owner to the north - do not want Nisswa Circle to provide vehicle access to
the park. The excess traffic would decrease the value of the lake lots.
Being a life long resident of the Nisswa area I am interested in the concept, but would also like
to see it not over populated by tourists so we the people that live here year round are actually
able to utilize it. Keep it simple!
This is a great start. Next: More parks, including a dog park
We live in Lake Shore and looking forward to our Trail 77 being built in future and then its
subsequent expansion through Nisswa to the Paul Bunyan Trail. We also do alot of
snowmobiling so would be nice to have the direct access to Nisswa from lake if possible.
The water level is too shallow to get a boat into the shoreline. This makes docking and
launching a boat impossible. The lake bottom is muck, no one will swim here. It is not legal to
dump sand into a lake, you can put it on the shoreline but it is only a 50 foot section that can be
done and it is a one time only process. This should take about one season to wash away
leaving you with nothing. This park is a terrible idea. If the citizens on Nisswa wanted the park
they would support it financially. After many, many years they still don't have the funds
available to support this park. Save the money, kill this park and add a public pool to the park
that the city already has. That would be a far more worthy project. A pool would create jobs for
the locals, life guards, a food vendor, and a rental vendor to name a few.
A permanent musical path. I saw it on the news in either the twin cities or in Sioux Falls SD.
People love it and it's interactive and weather resistant. Fun for all ages! I was unable to click
on where we boat from on one map. We start in Gull Lake. Thank-you for allowing some input!
It will be wonderful!
Keep the area as primitive as possible, Preserve the native plants and vegetation to BUFFER
NOISE and VISUAL pollution . We live on Lake Nisswa and are sad and disappointed to the
visual and noise pollution which has already occurred due to the removal of trees and the
"upgrade" of the highway. The DNR has always encouraged and promoted maintaining the
natural shoreline and I think with an aggressive upgrade for the park and the shoreline it would
be in direct contrast with their any our philosophy.
How about security provisions at the Park? Will there be a lifeguard on duty at the beach?
Who will be in charge of maintaining the park grounds? In the Winter what can be done to
keep ice off the paths? Will you use sand or salt for this? Will the City budget be able to meet
the demands of maintaining the services needed? For the beach area, will the muck and weeds
be taken care of so children and adults feel more comfortable swimming there?
We
believe this is a good thing for Nisswa but there are so many questions people will want
answered. More info is needed for people to feel that it is an expense that should be made.
Keep the project simple and low key. Who would pay for maintenance? Who would pay for
staffing? How much parking would be needed to handle 75- 100 people, or more. After seeing
the parking needs in downtown this summer, people would really need to park at the park or
the downtown would suffer. Of the things listed in the survey, how many of those ideas actually
would work on such a small piece of property?
Between the land purchase and the tunnel, we have already invested to much money for the
amount of benefit we will get out of this park. I would therefore recommend a minimunalist
approach to this park but done properly we could create a worthwhile looking park. Below are
some suggestions. 1.Creat an extension of the Pioneer Village theme. Use bark pathways with
post and rope handrails. Find some old building to be converted to a bathhouse. Same thing for
a shelter house. Construct picnic tables and benches out of concrete and stone. 2.Find some
old relics like an old outdoor hand pump to spot around the park for interest. 3.Use volunteers
to search for old items and advertise for items to be donated. 4.Find a general contractor to
head the project as a coordinator and advertise for volunteer labor and donations of old
materials to use where possible. 5.Doing the park this way would reduce the amount of money
The Friends of Nisswa Park would have to raise. Joe Lanz Nisswa
It appears we will be getting this park even though we don't need it. I think the City should put
no money into this project other than maintenance in the future. I think a beach would be a
waste of time and the problems associated with maintaining a beach and clean swim area will
be to expensive for the tax payer to shoulder.
We will seek damages against the group for the decrease in value.
Several communities in NW MN have created natural play space playgrounds with great
success using design thinking. This could be a great asset for the community in providing a
unique play space and connection to the natural resources:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/rsdp/northwest/natural-resources/connecting-children-and-nature/
Don't build it. Build the pickle there instead an turn it into a Zorbaz style club
I think a nice picnic area next to the lake would be a nice addition to what downtown Nisswa has
to offer. I think people would utilize the space next to the lake for picnics/swimming/fishing.
One of my biggest concerns would be parking, I'm not sure what options are available, but I'd
hate to see too much of the nice green space paved for a parking lot. Other concern would be
trash. I would want to make sure a good plan for how to handle garbage in the park is in place.
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
49
13. Which of the following best describes you?
#
1
2
3
4
Answer
full-time resident of the City of Nisswa
part-time or seasonal resident of the City of
Nisswa
occasional visitor to the City of Nisswa
business owner in the City of Nisswa
Response
14
%
64%
3
14%
4
2
18%
9%
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
College of Design
College of Food, Agricultural and
Natural Resource Sciences
277 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN, 55108
612-624-9273
612-624-1704 (fax)
http://ruraldesign.cfans.umn.edu/
Nisswa Lake Park Survey Summary – 9/13/2014
1. Please select which modes of transportation you envision using to get to Nisswa Lake Park:
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Car
90
60
2
Walk
84
56
3
Bike
77
52
4
Boat
55
37
12
8
5
Other
2. Which mode of transportation do you envision using the most to get to Nisswa Lake Park?
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Car
51
34
2
Walk
34
23
3
Bike
29
19
4
Boat
26
17
5
Other
10
7
3. Now looking at the regional chain of lakes, please Click on the map below showing where you
will likely travel from to get to Nisswa Lake Park. [i.e. your residence, a resort, downtown Nisswa,
a particular lake, etc.] Indicate up to 3 starting point locations.
4. WATER ACTIVITIES From the following list, please select all activities that you have an
interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also add your own activity in the "other"
option if you do not see a particular activity that interests you.
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Swimming
90
62
2
Canoe/Kayak
73
50
60
41
3
Dock a boat
4
Launch a boat
53
36
5
Fishing
53
36
6
Paddle board
49
34
7
Floating raft
46
32
8
Other
27
18
9
Paddle boat
25
17
10
Anchor a boat
12
8
5. GATHERING ACTIVITIES From the following list, please select all activities that you have an
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Picnic
104
74
2
Music performance
75
53
3
Celebrations/Festivals
72
51
4
Grilling out
67
48
5
Family reunions
43
30
29
21
6
Other
7
Weddings
24
17
6. SOCIAL ACTIVITES From the following list, please select all activities that you have an
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Socializing at picnic tables
94
66
2
Socializing on a deck at lake edge 84
59
3
Socializing on a dock
71
50
4
Campfire rings
61
43
5
Socializing in a plaza
52
37
6
Snack concessions (temp structure) 47
33
7
Socializing with moveable chairs
39
27
8
Snack concessions (permanent)
31
22
9
Socializing in a hard surface area
28
20
10
Other
28
20
7. PARK RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES + TRAILS From the following list, please select all
activities that you have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also add your
own activity in the "other" option if you do not see a particular activity that interests you.
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Walking trail
83
61
2
Walk + Bike trail
75
55
74
54
3
Children’s playground
4
On-leash dog walking
56
41
5
Sun bathing
56
41
37
27
6
Hiking trail
7
Play catch (open space)
35
26
34
25
8
Frisbee (open space)
32
24
9
Work out stations
10
Yoga (open space)
27
20
22
16
11
Other
8. WINTER ACITIVITES From the following list, please select all activities that you have an
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Ice Skating
69
56
2
Cross country skiing
59
48
3
Plowed walking paths
57
46
4
Snowshoeing
50
41
37
30
5
Snowmobiling
5
Other
20
16
9. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITES From the following list, please select all activities that you have
an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also add your own activity in the
"other" option if you do not see a particular activity that interests you.
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Nisswa history ed.
72
59
2
Environmental ed.
71
58
3
Outdoor learning space
55
45
4
Geological ed.
43
35
5
Minnesota history ed.
39
32
6
Native American ed.
34
28
7
Cultural ed.
25
20
8
Other
18
15
10. PARK ELEMENTS + SERVICES From the following list, please select all elements or
services that you have an interest in being available at Nisswa Lake Park. You may also add your
own in the "other" option if you do not see a particular element that interests you.
Rank
Answer
# of Responses
%
1
Sand beach
95
73
2
Pier/Dock
80
61
65
50
3
Large open grass area
38
29
4
Rental services
5
Dockside boat gas
28
21
22
17
6
Other
7
Bait/fishing license
16
12
11. In relation to park aesthetic and character of place, please use the slider bar below to indicate
how you envision Nisswa Lake Park. Is it a wild, pristine nature - type place with little human
influence and structure... is it a cleaned up, weeded version of nature with some maintained forest,
mown lawn and moderate human/social structure and intervention.... or is it a city beautiful, very
groomed park with a high human influence and social opportunity, acting as an extension of
downtown Nisswa.
Scale ranges from 0 – 10 (0 = pristine nature, minimal disturbance; 10 = groomed, urban-like park)
Answers range from 0 to 10, average value = 4.69 (pretty much the middle), standard deviation =
2.73 (likely means that many responses were near the extremes), total of 128 responses
Concept Scenario
Review and Input
Workshop
Raw Data Report – for both Open House and Online Workshops
Qualtrics
[Pick the date]
My Report
Last Modified: 02/23/2015
1. 1. Please rank the 3 different concepts based on
preference. Rank using numbers 1, 2, and 3. 1 = most
preferred to 3 = least preferred.
#
Answer
1
2
3
Concept A
Concept B
Concept C
Total
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Mean
Variance
Standard Deviation
Total Responses
1
2
3
49
74
47
170
41
92
36
169
80
3
86
169
Concept A
1
3
2.18
0.73
0.85
170
Total
Responses
170
169
169
-
Concept B
1
3
1.58
0.28
0.53
169
Concept C
1
3
2.23
0.74
0.86
169
2. 2. Out of the following activities and programming
options, please indicate which concept you feel conveyed it
best in accordance to your vision of the park.
#
Question
1
2
3
4
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Trails
Gathering
(Picnic
Tables,
Amphitheater,
Pavilions)
Parking (# of
Spaces)
5
6
Concept A
Concept B
Concept C
55
63
57
59
54
66
62
59
61
41
51
52
Total
Responses
170
170
170
170
41
63
66
170
2.15
48
67
55
170
2.04
Mean
2.04
1.87
1.96
1.96
Statistic
Min Value
Max Value
Mean
Variance
Standard
Deviation
Total
Responses
Swimming
Fishing
Boating
Trails
1
3
2.04
0.69
1
3
1.87
0.60
1
3
1.96
0.64
1
3
1.96
0.66
Gathering
(Picnic
Tables,
Amphitheater,
Pavilions)
1
3
2.15
0.61
0.83
0.77
0.80
0.81
0.78
0.78
170
170
170
170
170
170
Parking (#
of Spaces)
1
3
2.04
0.61
3. 3. Additional Comments:
Text Response
Test
I think Concept C is too much for the size of the property. In addition, it has too much emphasis
on boating and parking areas--both of which take up a lot of space, pollute the area, and exceed
a reasonable proportion if the land use. The DNR will also be addressing boat usage and more
parking. Outside showers for swimmers are desirable as Is shared ownership of the bathroom
facility with the DNR. The beach area should provide for a sandy beach above the OHW which
means cutting back the bank and retaining it. Some dredging and import of washed sand will be
necessary for the beach and swimming area itself. Trails should be paved to allow bike use, and
to keep them from spreading or getting muddy. Bike racks should be provided by the rest room,
the picnic area and by the swimming beach. Bike and walking access should be enhanced as
much as possible and driving access de-emphasized.
I do not have the background as far as the research done on anticipated use of the park, but
when considering all the lakes and existing campgrounds, resorts, etc, in the area it seems like
concepts B & C are overly optimistic as to the use that will be made of the park. I question
whether the increased with concepts B & C is warranted at this point. If heavy usage
materializes, perhaps the park could be expanded in the future.
I feel it is important that the trails be paved. I think Concept C is too much for only 2.1 acres.
40 parking spaces would take away from areas that could be used for enjoyable activities. Bike
racks would be helpful. Park needs to be handicapped accessible.
There are enough other entertainment types of area for outdoor music, catering etc. in this area
that businesses are already trying to make a decent living at. I would hate to see this project
impede upon their dreams and livelihood by costing monies to become a competition to them. I
feel the least amount of development is the best and providing an area for those tourists and
locals to simply enjoy the beautiful nature this park could provide is the best idea. If you value
the other like businesses that make this area great, then I hope that you would respect them.
I think #3 is excellent for family reunions, concerts all kinds of things. If going to do the park
might as well as do it right the first time!
I love the idea of a dedicated swimming area for children.
As a school staff I see it as an educational opportunity. If we would bring a grade level over we
would need to accommodate 55 students and about 4 staff.
I really like Concept C minus the "kitchen" idea.
We like the addition of the children's area in concept 3.
I think that while Concept B might ultimately be the best end result, I would prefer to begin with
Concept A to see how it functions and how it is used by the public before continuing with
additional development.
I think it would be wise to use the area that would benefit locals and economy the most. Option
c could be used to generate revenue for park upkeep and local businesses through ceremonies,
receptions, reunions, work picnics etc. also may be a good area to do concerts and family
movie nights. Nisswa does not utilize evening time well to their advantage. They need to be
intentional and creative to make the area thrive. Also the area is great to come vacation at but
quite boring if you live here (especially for younger families where finances are often an issue)
and don't have access to lakes, docks, and boating areas unless you have the right
connections. Create an area that would benefit both local families and tourist friendly events can
occur. Let's make the draw to our town even better or more desirable. I can go to lots of
overgrown looking parts but they are often buggy and not kid friendly. Having a more open
concept allows kids to be better seen and hopefully more air flow as well.
I don't think there should be swimming or fishing at this spot in the lake
A children's splash pad!!
This area draws so many tourists yet we have very little public swimming areas and even less
for kids. Having a nice public beach and kids area would draw more lower/middle class families
and increase our tourist draw to the area!
Can we start construction yet in 2015?
A playground with a splash pad would be amazing! A great place for everyone in the
community to come and enjoy the outdoors. Not many places to go with young children around
this area. I see this as a popular place to go so having enough parking is key.
Good to have some public outdoor rec facilities in the area.
I think that specifying a safer area for young children to swim would create a safer beach area. I
think adding the kitchen etc. for larger events would lead to needing to reserve the space etc.
and would create additional requirements that would need to be overseen by park board.
I feel that this development remain as minimal as possible thereby preserving the most number
of trees. More aggressive development pretty much guarantees noise and visual pollution,
increased boat traffic which would put our lake in further danger of invasive species pollution,
disrupt our waterfowl . We live on this narrow corridor of lake and increased boat traffic
endangers the peaceful solitude that we love. Since the completion of 371 we are already
experiencing more traffic noise and visual pollution-- stop and go lights, lights from town. Please
No amphitheater . Plan C looks like an event center !!
I also think wifi access for the kids and a splash pad for the kids would be nice instead of a
larger ampitheater
We enjoyed each concept for different reasons. The fewer boat spaces felt right to avoid
problems with our children's safety swimming or fishing. A larger gathering area could bring
family concerts ect to the area which would be lovely! Great planning of the trails and use of the
area. Thank you for the info!
I am VERY concerned about the increase in traffic on Hazelwood Drive and would suggest
making Hazelwood Drive a one way from the stop light to the Lower Roy Lake Road
intersection. This would direct traffic to Hy 371 rather than on Hazelwood Drive, which is a
residential area and also home to a day care at the church.
I would love to see areas for picnics with larger groups... Covered and with grills.
What is your basis for studying multiple concepts? A facility similar to the one being proposed
should be designed to enable future expansion by stages (if warranted by usage). In my
opinion, committing to the construction of a park with features beyond those proposed by
Concept A would constitute questionable planning. Constructing a full blown Concept C without
factoring in actual need (future park usage) could turn out to be a costly misuse of public funds.
In addition, the more elegant concepts as proposed will almost surely require increased
maintenance costs, which could be a significant expense to future tax payers.
GREAT WORK, GREAT PLAN
They all look good, have to fit into budget. Would like a copy of the slide presentation that was
at the "history" table. You can email to [email protected]. Thanks Steve & Alex, I am on the
Gull Lake Association BOD
Too many unknowns to really "vote" for option
Build the best!
Suggestion for wintertime: groom the trails for skate skiing please!
Great start! Looking forward to seeing this project move forward.
Concern about tunnel and park entrance road. What accommodations are being made for
safety in this area?
The swimming area is a very big spawning area for crappies in the spring time! what is your
plan for that?
Water fountains around park maybe (2), shower at beach, standing grills, recycled or composite
materials for tables + such
need more gathering
the park should be minimally developed as possible. keep it natural with as much trees and
brush and natural landscape as possible. it is a small lake. the more trees you take down the
more road noise from the hwy. those of us that live on the lake do not want to see the highway
or hear more noise, nor do we want our property values to go down. I invite the committee to
come over and visit my property and see what your thoughts are from across the lake. Noise
travels! Tons of boats also are dangerous on a small lake. lets keep it small and beautiful and
peaceful. Give people a place to come and park their boat, have a small picnic and relax.
people that come from the cities want peace and quiet and nature. They don't want it to be like
the cities. The more you develop it the more money to maintain it also. So upsetting!
get rid of swimmer platform. make covered picnic area larger. This is great! Go for it!
docks are important. bathrooms are important. Don't spend $ on amphitheater! Catering
building not needed. Keep it simple + clean. Easy to mange.
No amphitheater!! Park should be as minimally developed as possible. Scenarios B and C
encourages and permits undesirable noise and pollution. more development predicts a decline
of property values to those living on this lake. Boat slip area promotes more boat traffic on our
small lake there by increasing noise pollution. Park should remain as peaceful as possible.
picnic tables okay. enjoy the natural beauty and solitude of the lake and the wildlife. waterfowl
living on the lake. the larger the development the more costly the maintenance. More boat traffic
will result in increase invasive species pollution
please please please cut as few trees as possible
I like all plans but i think we should start with A and if it proves to be popular with tourists and
locals then expand the plans. Try to avoid local residential tax increases
swim first and trails, beach + swimming, including children's area boats and parking for boats
lowest interest and priority. Keep it natural and for swim we have 3 DNR ramps now with no
beaches for swimming.
Has anyone considered the cost of insurance/ what happens when the friends disbands and the
park expense still exists? does the taxpayer just get to pay or will the city sell the park?
Suggestions: I could see concerts in the summer. Bike racks necessary for all. docks available
for boaters. A beach would be ok - not for swimming. a splash pad would be great for young
children. nice picnic areas for families. Also plenty of seating to enjoy the lake. walking paths
are also nice.
Picnic area, shelter, and or gazebo. Walking trail, splash pad for youngsters - no swimming area
in lake. bike racks, boat ramp, docks.
Nisswa already has a park. Option A - less intrusive
Since Nisswa already has a park - I only see the lake as the benefit to this park. I love it - but
let's keep it simple.
benches along boardwalk. scenario C seems too busy. b is a good compromise.
All parking should go in immediately no matter the selected design. Do the combo bathroom
picnic shelter in phase 1. Think about a bike rental kiosk at the lake, automated. No weddings,
or private parties.
minimum swimming use needed, small fishing ok. small amphitheater nice. catering kitchen
unnecessary.
I liked "C" for the overlook area right between city and DNR property. Not a big fan of the
kitchen in "C"
I would rather see a mature park with a few picnic tables and restrooms.
as many significant healthy trees as possible should be saved with the parking area and trails
working around the trees. This would mean an arborist and an ecologist should be involved. I
think a landscape architect should design this, not an engineer.
I don't think we need another DNR boat launch on the chain
I would not add the amphitheater with initial build.
parking and boating are important options no matter which solution is chosen., but a gathering
and swimming area would be more focused to locals and would be welcomed by community.
concerned about tunnel bikers/walkers needing to cross roadway to park.
No swimming beach or disturbing the bottom of the lake. No area for gatherings. Minimal
walking trails. Leave as natural as possible, with minimal tree removal. Release to the public
what procedures are in place so the tex payers never have to pay for construction or
maintenance.
I like the idea of a kitchen area to rent out with the gathering area
A place to dock, sit, and relax in a quiet park and walk to town for shopping, eating etc. is all i
see at this point as a value to the community.
How best to control people parking and going downtown - takes up parking for the park.
ample parking is always necessary - i still think it should be planned, but not completely
implemented - maybe done in stages. Having a kitchen is nice but maybe a little extravagant -already a community center.
Looks like a beautiful scenario for the citizens of Nisswa and a beautiful use of 2.5 acres. I feel
that if there is a day use hour limit there would be no problem with keeping it pristine and quiet
at night. I grew up in Nisswa. My husband grew up on Gull Lake. Some people tend to overreact
initially . I think the objections will be proven wrong.
please add a splash pad for the children! the children's swimming beach area is great but a
splash pad provides a meeting place for moms and their young kids. Love the amphitheater
concept too.
Thanks for your hard work. we are excited about this project.
I am concerned that that part of the lake is very weedy and might not be a good swimming area
leave the brush, no grass.
make walking up and down the hill to the lake level as easy as possible.
Leave as many trees and brush as possible. No amphitheater, no weddings
less is best
a small amphitheater in A would be nice and picnic areas could be moved to the north of trail to
allow it.
No indication of value to community for expenditure. why is park needed? no lights, close at
sunset. No amphitheater. Lots of hard work done, but too much, unrealistic thinking.
the amphitheater should go in the current park, not on the lake. Trails keep unpaved, wood
chips. This should be as natural as possible. less manicured. No buildings, perhaps small 20
person shelter away from the lake. put the fishing dock with the boat landing. Nisswa is a small
lake, don't overwhelm it.
no lights, no swimming -- too costly.
close at sunset, no lights, no amphitheater - noise concern. prefer trees and trails and bike
paths. swimming area is a liability and it is all muck. limited auto parking, plan C is overkill!
limited auto parking, close at sunset, more bike trails, no lights, no ampitheater, swimming area
is a liability. No plan C.
trails and benches with lake views are a key docks like Bar Habors would be great (large,
sturdy)-- just not that many make sure thetrail surfaces are something that will work for strollers
(and walkers)
start small, add on as $$ available
I'd like to see you start with A with the ability to increase to option C as funds become available.
However I dislike a boardwalk close to shoreline.
I love option B. I also like the size of the amphitheater and the kitchen facilities from option C.
I think they are all good scenarios - just a nice addition to the city of Nisswa :) I don't think
showers are important at all
nature programming would be great
Adding an interpretation center/program would be great for residents and tourist population :)
Add interpretive nature center. nature programming
Scenario B is about perfect to provide a great gathering place for families - it'll be a place to
reconnect!!
lockers, option for food truck/trailer style vendors, mosquito control, well lit parking and trails,
and public boat docks w/ lighting.
please include facilities for launching kayaks/canoes. DNR landings are not always suitable.
my only regret is I won't be here to see it done.
All scenarios have the parking lot access road crossing over the foot path immediately after the
tunnel. Pedestrian safety should be higher and not have the road cross over the pedestrian/bike
path accessing the park.
Start with scenarios B, work towards C in steps
Start with A, then B, then C. Lighting plans/ planned regular maintenance? look for the sunken
boat.
All the scenarios are good, and any would help our property values. Parking important for senior
access.
I think just doing someting with public swimming and boating would be great!
I feel A is too small, B retains green space, and allows amenities. C is too big - might look like
central park.
All should be considered and developed over time. once DNR develops their boat landing and
parking, the private access on hazelwood needs to be closed even though it is private property.
I prefer none of the above...horrible idea for those of us who live on Nisswa Lake And respect
the uniqueness of our shoreline. It is the one lake on the chain that retains some sense of
beauty and so far has not been spoiled by trash, loud noise, etc. I hope you will all rethink this
idea that will NOT do one single positive thing for Nisswa......
Where is the space for the splash park? Splash pad? We need to include this and perhaps
make it adjacent to the swimming area. These are very popular with all ages, and it is such an
amazing place to take children and keep an eye on them without worry of drowning. With our
world warming trends this should be a priority.
I disagree with all three projects, it would be better to add a swimming pool near the park/ball
park in down town Nisswa!!!!!!! Greg Larson 40 year resident of Nisswa. I currently live at Lazy
Brook Town Homes on Nisswa Lake. This project is not favable to property owners on Nisswa
Lake or Roy Lake. I can't believe Nisswa spent money on this project prior to getting some
sense of approval from the resident of Nisswa Lake!
Will be a much-needed and lovely addition to Nisswa, no matter which option is chosen.
I know people think a swimming area is desired but this is no area to have a designated
swimming area. The bottom is mucky and no amount of dredging and filling is going to fix it.
Your questionnaire is very limiting and although I am in favor of the park cannot fully support the
project with a swim area included. I marked concept "A" but your survey will not let people "not"
select those portions of the concept they disagree with. I ended up with a take of leave it
feeling. Facilities can always be expanded but maintenance and up keep needs to be kept to a
minimum until the public starts to use the park and then will wish to expand services. I would
also encourage the use of groups like the Boy Scouts for tail work and structures. John Ryan
I think the new park in Nisswa would be an ideal place to have a children's splash pad!
Statistic
Total Responses
Value
112
NLPRA Community Open House - Questions and Comments From Scenario Tables
Scenario A

Where is DNR access and shared facilities jointly?

Connected path out to 77?

Price Tag?

Afraid of lake being polluted – worried about aquatic hitchhikers and boat traffic – also
suggested thinking ahead to 5-10-15 year plans.

Improvements to Hazelwood – sewer and gutter?

Likes the swimming area.

Sensed A was the least developed – cost, boat traffic, we already have the park, “put the
pickle factory there”, I’m at the limit for taxes, we are going to have to police it and
maintain it, views of park from other side, prime crappie spawning area into June,
concerned re: fish habitat, likes the joint bathrooms, recommended wrapping sidewalk
along road to parking lot instead of crossing (travelway?), will find a lot of old railroad
ties/(?) along shore maybe old logs.

Swimming – mud, fishing – too shallow, difficulty getting boats to dock – to shallow,
people who wanted swimming don’t understand geography, “we’re not a small town
anymore”.

How can you have a swimming beach on Nisswa Lake – why not a splash pad.

If this is the least developed – this is what we like – as property owners so many
restrictions, how can “they do whatever they want?”, more concerned about DNR
property, very concerned about loss of treesand destruction of shoreline, also higher boat
traffic having boat launch, “happy no beach just a swimming area”, I want all trees to
stay.

Like the idea to have a swimming area, very positive.

Change is coming and will be nice.

Restrooms and showers? Why showers?

Grills.

Ways to use property without developing so much – set up tents – who’s going to clean
restrooms (another person or persons) – baby steps, start out slow.

Sledding hill in winter.

What I like about Nisswa Lake is that it is so quiet.

I think this is a no-brainer, it’s a perfect fit for the community, shuttles from Gov. point to
Nisswa Lake.

Event parking along Hazelwood.

Less parking with trailers at (Dullum”s?) launch.

Flow of traffic/parking will shift.

More consideration of winter use please – disappointed tunnel does not have snowmobile
access to town.

May not be enough development to change habits.

No party hardy.

Increased activity will clear up lakeshore.

Lighting – less the better.

24 hour accessibility?

Maintenance cost.

Purchase extra lot adjoined on north end to avoid parking lotm on existing property.

Are Thurlow’s supportive of what is happening?

Excited about how this will increase their property value.
Scenario B

We will need swimming in Nisswa – beach.

Sharing with DNR is a great thing.

Restrooms are a must.

Swimming beach!

Family picnic area is great.

Want playground equipment.

Bike racks.

We will bike there.

City would be responsible.

Aquatic invasive species concerns.

Need boat access for parking.

Amphitheater is too much.

How much is this going to cost?

Trails through the woods are cool.

I live in Baxter and would come with kids to hang out at park and go into town for food
and shopping.

Pocket park would work as amphitheater.

People using park parking lot to access downtown.

Ruining crappie habitat.

Bad bottom.

Bad sites.

Leave underbrush so you can’t see highway from lake.

Garbage is a concern.

Kepp it minimum.

Docking is very needed.

People need to be able to boat into Nisswa.

Not concerned.

Phase approach – add amenities later.

Parking can always be expanded.

Starting with B allows for C but starting with A makes doing C difficult.

Splash pad for kids.

Swimming is mucky in that spot.

Like gazebo and picnic ideas.

Need good fence to keep wandering kids off highway.

Rain Garden.

Bike racks.

Invasive aquatic species concern.

Worried about drinking and boating.

Certain boats can’t get to Nisswa Lake.

A visual landmark in the park fro the highway.

Amphitheater is a good idea – like a lot of seating.

Benches to see lake.

Need good wooden benches.

Crappie beds.

Similar to A.

Water faucets and stations.

Standing grills.

Lighting?

More stuff for kids.

Art in the park.

Opportunity for kids’ activities.

Good for community and business.

Not in favor of the Concept B – should keep the park more rusticand more for just
gathering.

Splash pad – none in Brainerd Lakes area.

Picnic benches and garbage are a must.

Concerned about who is going to take care of it.

Keep as barebones as possible.

Can always add parking.

Get amphitheater out because of noise for lake residents.

Concerned about loud noise and boat traffic.

Worried about view.

Play equipment instead of amphitheater.

Good long-term usability.

Don’t go too big.

Build something you can rent out to raise money to cover maintenance expense.

Love the docks.

No tax dollars to pay for it.

Mucky.

What happens if there’s an accident – who pays for it?

Park closes at sunset.

No amphitheater.

No loud music.

Like the fishing dock.

Boat to the Ox.

Mucky bottom goes away.

I love the amphitheater.

Boat slips are great.

Love amphitheater.

Concern with swimming – a lot of work.

Amphitheater will be used.

Amphitheater – school, church, boy scouts.

Shared bike opportunity.

Like more natural.

Nisswa Lake resident excited what this might do to value of home.

Nice improvement of “Tunnel to Nowhere”.

Why have car traffic cross walking path?

Amphitheater is a good idea.

Need more night life.

Good opportunity to grow.

Option B sets up opportunity for Option C better than A to C.

Might be too much going on for docking.

Nice to have a safe swimming area.

Nice public space that is safe for kids to swim and hang out.

Love amphitheater.

Would use picnic area most.
Scenario C

Keep green space.

Noise from amphitheater – residents across lake.

Option C is overkill.

Playground has a splash pad.

Lighting in the park? Too bright to neighbors.

Concern: DNR launch not canoe/kayak friendly.

Closing at sunset ordinance.

Catering kitchen?

Like boardwalk/wheelchair accessibility.

Love amphitheater.

Not a children’s lake area.

Like kitchen/restroom area.

Paths = paved vs crushed.

Amphitheater – like it, looks nice.

Can you fit all of that in 2.1 acres?

Fishing dock shouldn’t be by swim area.

If DNR tars all their property lots of runoff into lake.

Safety concern: parents leave kids alone in ‘Children’s area”.

Concerned about how much $ people want to spend.

Who maintains the park?

Safety concern: sunken boat.

Maintenance concern – city expense.

Closed 4 winder?

Nisswa event parking overflow?

Do not buy $10k lights like ones in pocket park.

Make revenue by renting the kitchen/amphitheater space.

Concerned about steps.

How many people fit in amphitheater?

Start with Concept B instead of staring with C ($ wise).

Will DNR have picnic tables or green space?

DNR – not showing parking, would assist with restrooms, joint venture, grant
applications start, money spent so far = private donations, if you made a donation would
you get a free parking space?, Would Grandview & Mills donate for naming rights?, Who
do you talk to about writing a grant?, Needs to be filled out by city staff.

Over developed, B would be better.

Bottom of lake gross – will it clean up?

Pipe dream – not in my life.

Looks good.

Gazebo is important.

Locker room – not so important.

More promotion helps business.

Wants it done this year

Worried about cost to maintain.

If you build it they will come.

Children’s swimming area contained – would be great.

Rentable design.

Playground, young mother wants splash pad.

Area could be overflow for downtown events.

Time for Play needs a gathering space.

Swimming on raw lake shore?, seating in amphitheater, likes the ieda, exterior shower
good idea, it’s a no brainer.

Legacy grant ready by June.

Layout is nice and clean.

Will there be a vote?

Who owns the park? The land is paid for.

$500k for development – figure ‘they’ threw out, who is ‘they”.

Who controls the improvements.

Start with plan A

Someone unhappy – design review, ridiculous waste of money, is it 100% paid for?, sell
the lots, garbage cans pulled at Post Office, can run on trail with studs on snowmobile –
not anymore.

Beer parties – kegs there.

Steering committee put together.

Complimented the upkeep of the area golf courses which reflects on pride of community.

Toddler pool – completely enclosed.

Parking for boats and trailers.

Turn at lights to enter – 2 houses won’t like it, maybe they can be bought out.

Incorporate all 3 plans.

Bike riders want amenities.

Good access to Gull Lake chain, channel not very deep, water ski show, ice skating,
concerned about people who live on lake, people don’t own the water.

All for the park, will it be lit?, closed at night, landscaping will keep it more appealing.

How many millions of dollars?

What will make the decision of A, B, or C?

Carving out sandy area.

Unhappy with noise that will be generated & trees taken down.

Complexion of ‘up north’ has changed.

Lights bother lake owners, more sound and visual pollution.

City already has the property – write down your opinion.

Boat launch needs hard surface for parking.

Fishing dock won’t affect swimming area.

No ferris wheel or merri-go-round.

Tie in for Paul Bunyan trail noted.

Who will maintain kitchen?

How much will amphitheater be used?

Garden club member positive.

Music events from church.

How many can park accommodate?

Board walk permanent with floating fishing pier.

Accessibility for caterers to get to shelter.

Start with big performance building so it does not have to be rebuilt if park expands.

Are amenities solar powered?

What will happen to community center?

Lives across lake – who wants to listen to bluegrass festival?

No place for public swimming.

14 boat slips – lots of interest.

Access from Gull to downtown – boardwalk because of steep access.

Used all year around.

Minimal landscaping – native plants.

DNR rules for excavation – need special permit.

Picnic.

No ball diamonds.

Tough for handicap accessibility.

No sand beach.

Oak docking.

14 slips – heavy – too many.

Sentenced-to-serve – good arrangement.

Need bike racks.

DNR – 5 picnic tables.

Kitchen

Outdoor bath house.

Amphitheater – bluegrass.

Could building be reserved?

Building would coordinate with the pocket park.

Most thought out of the 3 plans.

Lake shows up through the trees.

Rain garden – holds rain for 3 days.

Who is going to maintain it.

Commercial rent – city shouldn’t be in that kind of business.

Paul Bunyan trail – people are maxed out tax-wise.

Funding maintenance – naming rights.

Something for everyone.
Tally of Additional Comments from The Report
Number of Comments/Categories of Comments
12
Covered Gathering/Picnic Area with Bathroom
(Great for reunions, concerts, Do this in Phase 1-like C)
8
Beach/Swimming Area (Tourist draw-like children’s pool)
8
Splash Pad
7
Boating/Docks
7
Paved Trails (1 said unpaved-need surface for strollers, wheelchairs, etc.)
5
Overlook
5
Bike Racks
3
Playground
3
Educational Opportunity (Interpretive)
2
Outside Showers
2
Amphitheater
Parking (parking and going shopping may be problem)
Fishing
Overall Concept
Scenario Referenced
C -See My Report 1 & 2
C-See My Report 1 & 2
B-See My Report 1 & 2
Positive Comments
Great work-Great Plan-Wi Fi Access-Let’s start in 2015-Do C-Generate Revenue-Build the Best-Make it a
draw to our town-Concept C-Don’t want just an over grown park-Start with A and go all the way to C-Start
with B and go to C-Phase to C-This is great, go for it-Use Boy Scouts, etc.-Lovely addition to Nisswa-All
should be developed over time-All scenarios are good-Only regret is that I won’t still be here to see it doneConcept B with great gathering place for families-A place to reconnect-Good to have public outdoor
recreational facilities in our area-Great but need mosquito control-Lighting-Do day use only-All are good
scenarios- Nice addition to city of Nisswa-Thanks, excited about this project-All concepts look good-Some
people tend to over react, objections will be proven wrong-Gathering and swimming area would be
welcomed by the community-A great place to dock, sit and relax in a quiet park and walk downtown for
shopping and eating
Negative Comments
Only walking trails-Don’t want taxpayers to pay for it-It’s a weedy lake-Can’t mark what you disagree with
within the concepts-Invasive species concern-Don’t want the boat traffic-No swimming-Add swimming over
to the ball parks-Swimming pool location is spawning bed for crappies-lots of unknowns, cost of insurance,
etc.-Will Friends of the park disband and then what will happen, city will be stuck-Don’t cut trees-No
kitchen-Unrealistic thinking-B is a compromise-Mucky bottom of lake-Nisswa lake residents don’t want
their peace disturbed-Don’t want anything there-Want landscape architect not engineer to design it-Don’t
want DNR boat launch-it would be bad for the businesses-no swimming or fishing-Leave trees and brush, no
grass-Misuse of public funds-Start with A-No tax increase-Noise, pollution and increased maintenance costsTraffic concern on Hazelwood Dr.-Safety concern at tunnel-Kitchen needs to be overseen by Park Board
Central Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDPs) give communities in Greater
Minnesota access to the University of Minnesota in order to help solve problems and take
advantage of new opportunities. As a part of University of Minnesota Extension, NW RSDP
brings together local talent and resources with University of Minnesota knowledge and seed
funding to drive sustainability in four areas: agriculture and food systems, tourism and resilient
communities, natural resources, and clean energy.
College of Design
College of Food, Agricultural
and Natural Resources Sciences
277 Coffey Hall
1420 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Phone: 612-624-9273
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran
status, or sexual orientation.
44
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request. Please contact the Center for Rural Design at the above number.

Report - the City of Nisswa Minnesota

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