Orono council backs 3 Rivers Park District’s Baker Park Reserve long-range plan

The Orono City Council voted 4-0 on Aug. 26 to adopt a resolution of support for the 3 Rivers Park District’s Baker Park Reserve long-range plan. The council’s vote followed a presentation by Marge Beard, the district commissioner who represents District 1, and Kelly Grisman, director of planning for 3 Rivers Park District.

“Baker has been around for the last 70 years and has successfully served the community,” Grisman said, describing the plan as a set of enhancements that build on existing park amenities rather than a wholesale redevelopment. Beard told the council Baker Park Reserve receives about 425,000 visits annually and is the most-visited 3 Rivers Park site for Orono residents.

Grisman outlined priorities that include natural-resource protection, upgrades to campground electric service, adding six camper cabins, improvements to picnic and restroom facilities, ADA upgrades, interpretive signage and study of an underpass safety improvement for County Road 19. She said the district has identified about $8.0 million in remaining acquisition needs and roughly $8.5 million in development needs; some projects are proposed for the district’s five-year capital-improvement plan.

The resolution the council approved asks local communities to register support before the park district submits its long-range plan for regional review; Grisman said the Met Council will review the plan and the 3 Rivers board expects final approval in December.

The resolution was adopted by voice vote and recorded as passing 4-0. The council did not take separate votes on individual elements of the plan; the resolution is a statement of local support to accompany the park district’s regional filing.

Next steps: the park district will forward its long-range plan to the Met Council for review; the district’s board anticipates final action in December.