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Independence council backs Three Rivers Park District's Baker Park Reserve long-range plan
Summary
The Independence City Council voted 4-0 on Sept. 3 to approve a resolution supporting Three Rivers Park District's draft long-range plan for Baker Park Reserve, which proposes camping expansion, a fishing pier, restrooms and other phased improvements and will be forwarded to the Metropolitan Council for review.
Three Rivers Park District staff presented a draft long-range plan for Baker Park Reserve and the Independence City Council voted 4-0 on Sept. 3 to adopt RESOLUTION No. 24-0903-03, a resolution expressing the city's support for the draft plan.
Marge Beard of Three Rivers Park District outlined proposed improvements that include expanded camping and winterized camper cabins, a fishing pier and shoreline fishing access, restroom and parking upgrades, trail spurs, picnic shelters and new nature-based programming. Stefan, identified as the district's landscape architect, said the plan reflects public input gathered before and after a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This is a long-range plan," Stefan said, describing the proposal as a framework the district will use to prioritize projects and seek funding. He said a few items are funded now, but most improvements would be phased over time and would require solicitation of state and other funds and incorporation into the district's budget over the next 10 to 20 years.
Stefan and Beard discussed a policy constraint tied to preserving 80% of park land in a natural state; they said Baker Park is currently at about 73% natural acreage and the draft plan includes language about pursuing additional land to meet trail expansion goals. The draft also lists specific new amenities the district is considering, including five winterized camper cabins and a nature play area.
Mayor Johnson asked about usage and funding; Stefan provided visitation figures the district tracks, saying the parks see roughly 613,000 visits excluding golf and about 683,000 including golf, and reiterated that most work would proceed only as funding is identified. Councilor Betts asked about mountain-bike trail opportunities; Stefan said Lake Rebecca has mountain-bike trails but Baker Park's current natural-area percentage limits options without additional land acquisition.
After questions, Councilor Spencer moved to approve the support resolution; Councilor McCoy seconded the motion, and the council voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION No. 24-0903-03. According to staff comments during the meeting, adoption sends the draft support to the Metropolitan Council and returns the plan to the park district board as part of the next steps for funding and implementation.
The council provided a formal, 4-0 endorsement of the draft long-range plan; no formal funding commitment was made by the city during the meeting, and several proposed improvements were described as contingent on later budget approvals or external grants.
