2006 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan - City of Lakeville

Policies - Greenways/Linear Parks/Conservancy Areas:
1. Preferably greenways shall include natural or designated corridors such as utility
rights-of-way, or natural features such as bluff lines, vegetative patterns, water
features, required natural environment buffers or other characteristics consistent
with the specific recreation or conservation objective of the greenway.
2. Conservancy areas shall include natural features such as wetlands, water
bodies, stands of significant trees or other vegetation, bluff lines, scenic
overlooks or other natural elements desirable for preservation from an aesthetic
or functional basis.
3. Distinctive natural features that give a greenway corridor or conservancy area its
distinguishing character will be retained wherever possible using every
reasonable effort.
4. Greenway and conservancy areas shall be of a size and configuration to protect
the natural amenities within the designated area, provide wildlife corridors and
provide trail linkages to the City’s parks, trails, designated greenways, natural
areas, and other local destinations.
5. To reduce the possibility of destroying natural or cultural resources as a result of
development, the City, as part of the Comprehensive Plan, will create a more
detailed inventory of the community’s unique habitats and functioning
ecosystems through its GIS data base. This inventory will be used to:
a. Identify special natural areas for permanent protection, either by private or
public action.
b. Identify opportunities for restoration of degraded streams or wetlands.
c. Determine opportunities for protecting water infiltration areas or using
alternative storm water management practices.
d. Determine size, configuration and location of greenways.
e. Identify potential park locations adjacent to future greenways that may
contribute to the City’s overall park/trail system.
6. Restore greenways or conservancy areas where necessary to improve their
ecological health.
7. Ensure that greenways and conservancy areas serve all community residents
through the protection of view sheds and the provision of pedestrian trails within
the greenway corridor in a manner that will not degrade the natural features of
the area.
City of Lakeville, Minnesota
Chapter Five
2006 Comprehensive Parks, Trails, & Open Space Plan Page 91