Anoka County commissioners advanced multiple parks and trail initiatives during the board’s November meeting, adopting long-range plans and approving grant amendments and contracts that will fund reforestation and facility improvements across the county park system.

The board adopted Resolution TR42 to approve the Rice Creek North Regional Trail Long Range Plan 2025. Jeff Perry, Anoka County park director, said the plan addresses a 1.5-mile gap in the Circle Pines/Lino Lakes area and that the county will pursue state bonding dollars and available grant programs to finance implementation over the coming decades.

The board also adopted Resolution TR43 for the Lake George Regional Park long-range plan. Perry described Lake George as the county system’s second-most-used park (more than 400 acres) and said near-term items include creating a safe crossing of 221st Avenue to connect to Oak Grove park facilities and programming expansions for day camps.

Under Resolution TR44 the board approved a three-part amendment with the Metropolitan Council: an extension of a tree-planting grant by one year to allow spending in spring and summer 2026; an amendment that reduces one grant by $200,000 and transfers those savings to a Rice Creek Chain of Lakes trail project; and a reallocation of savings from a Ramsey trail project to Rice Creek Chain of Lakes funding.

The board authorized contract C0011989 with Hoffman and McNamara Company in the amount of $161,363 to purchase and plant 443 native hardwood trees across four regional parks—species listed by staff include multiple oaks, hickories, river birch, hackberry and Kentucky coffee tree—to replace losses from emerald ash borer and diversify forest composition.

Perry also described a lighting contract package with Connexus Energy (C0011985, C0011986, C0011987, C0011993) totaling $124,802.25 to add and replace LED lights at Bunker Hills Regional Park as part of bunker redevelopment. The package includes 14 fixtures (seven new and seven replacements) and a 25-year maintenance agreement; Perry noted about 90 new parking spaces at Bunker Beach will be served by the new lights.

Parks committee also authorized staff to reject all bids for the Rice Creek West Regional Trail and Banfield House Foundation reconstruction project because prices exceeded expectations, and staff will pursue alternative options.

Several items will require grant-seeking, bonding requests, and procurement steps before construction and planting begin. The board approved the plans and reallocations on consent.