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

Table 19 lists per capita park acreage national standards or norms for active use
purposes within a municipal park system. These standards indicate a range of park
acreage for such active uses as ballfields, athletic facilities, play equipment, parking and
similar developed uses. Passive or inactive conservation parcels are not considered by
these standards and these respective use acreages should be subtracted from total
areas before any comparisons are made.
Usable, active park area use is reduced in most municipal parks due to a variety of
constraints. Lakeville is no exception. The effective, usable area in virtually all of
Lakeville’s parks must take into consideration natural limitations including wetlands,
drainage basins, steep slopes and wooded areas. These factors obviously contribute to
park aesthetics and provide passive conservation areas for the community. However,
the effective usable area of the park is reduced.
TABLE 19
PER CAPITA PARK ACREAGE
STANDARDS FOR ACTIVE USE PARCELS
Acre/1,000
Population 1
Mini-Park .25 - .5
Neighborhood Park 2.5 – 3.5
Athletic Field 2.0 – 2.5
Community Park 5.0 – 8.0
9.75 – 14.5
SOURCE: NRPA
1
Range designated minimum to desirable
Table 20 illustrates that out of 1,607.18 acres of park land, 495.45 acres or 30.8 % is
available for active play. Additionally, between 237.5 and 367.7 acres of active
recreational land is available within Lakeville through local schools. Combined,
Lakeville’s parks and schools provide between 732.95 and 863.15 acres of active play
area. In general, the combined area of all types of active recreation space appears to
be sufficient to serve the estimated 2005 population of 52,446. However, continued
residential growth through 2030 will require the provision of additional parks. Particular
attention must be given to the full development of additional community parks (i.e. East
Lake Community Park) to meet future community needs. Acquisition and development
of additional neighborhood facilities as new development occurs is also a priority to
ensure appropriate localized services and facilities.
City of Lakeville, Minnesota
Chapter Six
2006 Comprehensive Parks, Trails, & Open Space Plan Page 113