HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem IV - Staff Report PLAN COMMISSION STAFF REPORT DECEMBER 3,2019
ITEM IV: APPROVAL OF THE LAKESHORE PARK MASTER PLAN
ACTION REQUESTED/BACKGROUND
The Parks Department is requesting approval of the Lakeshore Park Master Plan which
describes the project summary, public process, site analysis, master plan and phasing&budget
targets. The Plan was developed in consultation with the Advisory Park Board, Pedestrian and
Bicycling Advisory Committee and Sustainability Advisory Board.
Lakeshore Park is located at the former Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course site and is
approximately 70 acres in area. The master planning process is the result of the redevelopment
of the former municipal golf course and a portion of the property was sold and developed for a
new Oshkosh Corporation global headquarters. Smith Group gathered public input and it
became clear the community's vision tended towards a park focused on passive recreation and
natural area. Together with the input from the public and advisory boards, concept plans were
developed and the plan began to take shape.
The subject plan property is zoned Institutional, in which parks are permitted uses, and is
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan land use recommendation of Park, Recreation and
Open Space.
Plan development included site visits, public surveys and public meetings. The concept plan
was approved by the Advisory Park Board at its October 2191 meeting.
ANALYSIS
The Lakeshore Park Master Plan was developed to provide some clarity for future use of the
park and how it integrates with the surrounding area and trail system.
The Master Plan itself is laid out as follows:
1. Project Summary
2. Public Process
3. Site Analysis
4. Master Plan
5. Phasing+Budget Targets
Presently the plan includes two distinct halves connected by the Riverwalk. Both halves of the
park leverage the existing golf course ponds, restoring and reshaping their margins and linking
them with the existing wetland corridor create a unique ecological backbone for the park. The
master plan includes numerous pathways and Riverwalk to create a unique trail system. The
following is a brief overview of the halves.
Paqe 1
West Park
West Park includes five structures. These include a hilltop overlook, two open-air picnic
shelters, parking, and restroom building and primarily passive uses. It includes a new trail
head and parking lot for approximately 40 vehicles.
East Park
East Park includes a single larger multipurpose building. This structure is intended to be a
conditioned four-season building that can accommodate large events year round. Currently the
Parks Department does not have a four-season facilities and is one of the more frequently
requested facilities of the Parks Department. It includes three additional parking lots. One
approximately 82 space lot adjacent to the four-season building, an approximate 20 space lot off
North Eagle Street and an approximate 2-spaces lot off of Veterans Trail at the north end of
Rainbow Memorial Park. These latter two lots are placed to serve both Lakeshore Park and the
adjoining parks.
Additional information related to both halves of the park can be found in the master plan
documents. Generally the plan recommends shoreline revetments and restoration, earthwork,
landscaping restoration, trailheads &parking and green space improvements.
Finally, the plan includes a phasing and budget target section. This section is intended to create
a set of priorities and sequence of those priorities for plan implementation. The plan is broken
down into 5 phases of development. Included with each phase is an estimated budget target
including contingency.
The Lakeshore Park Master Plan is consistent with the goal of the recently adopted (2018)
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan calling for developing long-range master plans for
parks within the system. The Master Plan also has no conflicts with the City's Comprehensive
Plan or Zoning Ordinance.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Plan Commission approve the Lakeshore Park Master Plan based on a
finding that it is not in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan or zoning of the property.
ITEM IV—Lakeshore Master Park Plan 2
Paqe 2