rivers, trails and conservation assistance program national park … · committee member and...
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www.nps.gov/rtca 2015 National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Application
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program supports successful partnerships with
communities across America in achieving their conservation and outdoor recreation visions.
Please follow the application steps on our website and then submit this completed application along with a map of your
project site, at least three letters of commitment, and any other supplementary information that helps us learn more about
your project to your National Park Service Regional Program Manager by August 1.
Date: 7/29/2014 Project Name: Ortonville City Parks & Recreation Plan
Project Location Description (provide a location/site map): Attached
City and State: Ortonville, MN
Congressional District(s) Number (s): 7
Applicant organization(s): City of Ortonville
Primary Contact: Vicki Oakes Title: Community Development Coordinator
Street Address: 706 2nd Street
City: Ortonville State: MN Zip Code: 56278
Email: [email protected] Website (if applicable): ortonvilleeda.com Daytime Phone: 320-839-6155
Project Description:
1. Describe:
a) Your vision and summary statement of the overall project goal.
Prepare a Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan (Plan) for the City of Ortonville (City) intended to guide the long-
range and comprehensive decision-making processes. The Plan will provide a view of what the community
wants the parks, trails and recreational future to be and sets forth public statements that provide direction and
guidance in the decision making process. It will lay out a community vision for parks, trails and recreation and
an action plan for priorities.
b) Tangible outcomes of the project (i.e. recreational opportunities developed, plan creation, development of
ideas and goals, miles, acres) The creation of a Parks, Trails & Recreation Plan for the City of Ortonville
c) Project accomplishments to date;
The City has in place the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update (Comp Plan). This was an extensive and inclusive
process with technical assistance and facilitation provided by the Upper Minnesota River Valley Regional
Development Commission and the Minnesota House Partnership. The Comp Plan identifies parks, trails and
recreational facilities as valuable community resources that contribute positively to the quality of life offered in
Ortonville.
The City currently reviews our Parks on an individual basis and addresses opportunities and needs as they are
brought to the attention of our Park Board and City Council through community members and City staff.
The City worked with Big Stone County to complete the Minnesota River Headwaters Recreational Trail Project
which was developed by Big Stone County with strong partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission, City
Application for Community Assistance
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program
www.nps.gov/rtca 2015 National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Application
of Ortonville and a local citizens group. The 4.5 mile trail connects with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge’s 5.5
mile auto tour route which features natural prairie and granite outcroppings. Trail users may also opt to use
the natural hiking trails located within the 11,520-acre refuge. Building on this trail project.
Big Stone County extended the width of the County roads that surround Ortonville’s Golf Course for the
purpose of a walk/bike path.
The City’s Park Board worked with the Early Childhood Initiative of Big Stone County to design a playground,
hired an engineering firm to re-design the park area and design a new restroom facilities. The City then
applied for Minnesota Capital Appropriations funding and presented the plans to the traveling Senate
Committee which was reviewing proposed projects throughout the State. Ortonville was awarded $129,000 in
grant funds for the new playground. The park was re-named the Minnesota River Regional Park to identify it
as the trailhead park of the State’s Minnesota River Valley State Trail system. This park project is complete.
The City has transferred ownership of their old water plant building which is located on the shores of Big Stone
Lake at the northern edge of the Minnesota River Regional Park to the Big Stone Arts Council. The Big Stone
Arts Council is working to renovate the building into a cultural center.
The City has 13 designated parks with additional green spaces throughout the City. Along with the new trail,
we have an 18-hole golf course, municipal swimming pool, baseball fields, outdoor hockey rink, and archery
range along with playground and picnic areas throughout our park system.
The City has a Planning Commission and a Park Board that review and make recommendations to City Council
on the land uses throughout the community; and City staff and volunteers that maintain and improve the
parks, trails and recreational areas throughout the City.
d) Support: governmental/organizational support/recognition; endorsements from elected officials and boards,
etc.;
Through the Comp Plan Update, the community has acknowledged and endorsed the creation of a Parks, Trails
and Recreational Plan when they identified the need in the Comp Plan’s action plan to 1) complete an inventory
and evaluation of existing park, trail and recreation facilities; 2) include an evaluation in a capital improvement
planning for the parks; 3) develop a trail plan to link existing parks and neighborhoods; and 4) develop an
overall maintenance plan.
The Ortonville Economic Development Authority along with the Ortonville City Council, City’s Planning
Commission and the City’s Park Board have all acknowledged the need for the Plan and have taken official
action with unanimous support to make application for the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and
Conservation Assistance Program for the creation of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Plan.
The Big Stone Arts Council has been a strong community partner with the City of Ortonville and Big Stone
County in various projects. Big Stone Arts Council members were also strong contributors/partners throughout
the Comp Plan Update process.
e) Community benefits that would result from implementing the proposed project (i.e. recreational opportunities
in areas with little to no recreational access);
Although the City has a large number of parks, they are limited on funding and staffing hours. A Plan would
provide the guidance needed to maximize our resources for the continued health of our green spaces. A Plan
would also assist the City in determining the best use for each space which would provide for a more diverse
recreational offering while keeping within their ability to properly maintain the spaces.
f) Geographic location of your project and characteristics of that location (rural, coastal, wetland, urban, specific
www.nps.gov/rtca 2015 National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Application
areas within a city or county, etc.); Ortonville is a rural City with a population of 1,916. (Attached demographic
summary report provided by the UMVRDC)
g) Important demographic characteristics of your project area that will benefit or be impacted with creation
and/or addition of recreational opportunities.
The community input provided during the planning process will assist in identifying deficiencies within our park
and recreational offerings thus giving the City the knowledge needed to plan accordingly to meet these
interests.
Applicant and Partner Roles:
2. a. Describe your role and the level of commitment/services your organization can provide to the project.
The Ortonville EDA has authorized the staff time of the Community Development Coordinator to make application for
the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program on behalf of the City of Ortonville and to assist the City’s
Planning Commission and Park Board in whatever capacity is needed to accomplish the Plan. The Community
Development Coordinator assisted with the City’s Comp Plan Update (organizing workgroups, publicizing meetings,
encouraging community input, etc.) and the Minnesota River Regional Park project (assisted the Park Board and Early
Childhood Initiative group with the preliminary design of the park space, organizing the Senate Committee meeting &
presentation, prepared a DVD with complete narrative and visual of the proposed park project for each Senate
Committee member and provided community/media press releases, etc.). The Community Development Coordinator
also has 14 years’ experience on the Big Stone County Planning Commission which included comprehensive planning
and community input projects and also manages the City and Ortonville EDA’s websites and social media which will be
utilized to engage the public during the Plan process.
b. List the key partners involved with the project. Briefly summarize the existing or anticipated role and contribution of
each partner.
City of Ortonville is the Applicant.
Park Board will take lead in the planning process and the organization of public meetings.
The Planning Commission members will work along with the Park Board during the process and will be the Board that
makes the final Plan recommendation to the Ortonville City Council.
The Ortonville EDA has committed to additional staff assistance that is needed to complete the Plan and is available in
whatever capacity is needed.
Big Stone Area Growth (County Economic Development) is also committed to provide whatever assistance is needed to
make this planning process successful.
Big Stone Arts Council is providing support and commitment to the community input process in preparing the Plan.
c. Please include commitment letters from three partners listed in the application, other than the applicant or individual(s)
of the applying organization. Commitment letters should note the partner’s support, list their anticipated project role,
expected contribution(s), and responsibilities in the project. (Attached)
www.nps.gov/rtca 2015 National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program Application
Public Support:
3. Describe the level of public support to date, and any plans for future public outreach, participation, and community
inclusion. The City government and community have shown support through the Comp Plan Update and most recently
acknowledged support through meetings of the City Council, Ortonville EDA, Planning Commission and Park Board.
We plan to arrange public conversations on our local radio station (KDIO) and newspaper articles (Ortonville
Independent – weekly paper) along with website and social media announcements seeking to include community
members in the planning process (and provide updates throughout the process on a website to keep the community
informed). We will also be reaching out to local organizations such as the Early Childhood Initiative, Kiwanis, Golf
Board, Hockey Association, the Central Park Group, Hospital/Clinic/Senior Care facility & staff involvement and
additionally we will reach out to parents of our summer rec children along with the Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of
Commerce.
National Park Service Assistance:
4. a. What are the biggest challenges and overall needs of the project? Technical assistance creating a Plan
b. What type of assistance are you seeking from National Park Service staff? Please include a short description of the
specific project need(s) for each of the boxes checked. Prioritize the project’s top needs in the description.
X Defining project vision and goals 3. Assistance pulling together the input to formulate the vision & goals
X Identifying and analyzing issues and opportunities 5. Assisting in our review and discussion process
Assessing and engaging partners and stakeholders
Inventory and mapping of community resources
X Priority setting and consensus building 2. Guiding our discussion to form consensus of the priorities
Identifying funding sources
Organizational development
X Designing community outreach and participation strategies 4. Assist in organizing proper outreach for input
X Planning (trail, park, open space, greenway, etc.) 1. Assistance pulling the input together to formulate the Plan
Other
5. Describe how your project advances one or more key National Park Service strategic objectives. Projects that have one
or more of these strategic objectives are given emphasis in the project selection process.
a. Builds partnerships with health and wellness organizations to promote healthy lifestyles;
b. Engages youth or youth organizations to promote close-to-home resource conservation, stewardship, and outdoor
recreation opportunities;
c. Develops and/or improves connections to parks, rivers, trails, and greenways in diverse urban areas and communities
with limited resources and facilities; The City of Ortonville is a community with limited resources that has identified
a need for a trail plan to link existing parks and neighborhoods.
d. Develops or improves access to National Park Service sites by enhancing connections to nearby communities;
e. Advances the protection and stewardship of large natural landscapes (parks, open spaces, and working lands)
through partnerships;
f. Expands public access to water resources, such as creeks, rivers, lakes, bays, and coasts, and the development of
water trails.
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The median home value in
Ortonville is below that of both Big
Stone County and the State of
Minnesota, however it falls in the
middle for median home values in
similar sized communities within
the Region. This trend continues
for median monthly rent and
median monthly housing costs for
homeowners in Ortonville, which
are less than those in Big Stone
County and the State of
Minnesota, but similar to other
like-sized communities in the
Region.
2010 Housing Statistics
2010 Vacancy Rates
Home ownership vacancy rate
and rental vacancy rate are the
proportion of the homeowner or
rental inventory that is vacant
“for sale” or vacant “for rent.”
The overall vacancy rate
includes other vacancies such as
vacant “sold – not occupied,”
seasonal housing and vacant
“rented – not occupied.” In 2010,
the city of Ortonville had the
highest vacancy rates among
similar sized communities,
especially rental vacancy rates.
City
Median Home
Value Median Rent
Median Monthly
Housing Costs
Ortonville $78,400 $441 $800
Montevideo $84,600 $547 $978
Benson $101,000 $451 $1,026
Granite Falls $102,000 $499 $954
Madison $56,500 $475 $807
Dawson $68,600 $444 $785
Canby $64,500 $384 $848
Big Stone County $81,900 $447 $924
Minnesota $206,200 $759 $1,549 Source: US Census Bureau, ACS (2006-2010)
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
Source: US Census Bureau, Decennial
Overall Vacancy Rate
Home OwnershipVacancy Rate
Rental Vacancy Rate
Ortonville School District, like
many of the school districts in
the Region, has seen a
dramatic decline in school
enrollment in recent years.
However, the decline in
enrollment is consistent with
the declining and aging
population in the Region. Note
that data was only available
for public school districts.
UMVRDC staff developed the concept and design for the Community Profile Brochures and
data was collected by students and staff from the Center for Small Towns at the University of
Minnesota, Morris. All information was collected from trusted sources such as the U.S.
Census Bureau, the American Community Survey, Minnesota Department of Employment &
Economic Development (DEED), and the Minnesota Department of Education and is
presumed to be accurate.
Ortonville, Minnesota 2010 Census Data for
For more information, or if you have questions, please visit our website: www.umvrdc.org.
This Community Profile Brochure is
comprised of statistical information
from a variety of sources and will
provide a snapshot of historical and
current demographic, economic and
social trends in the Upper Minnesota
Valley Region. The purpose is to
provide a concise summary of key
community statistics to aid decision
making about community and economic
development.
This statistical and informational
profile was compiled by the UMVRDC
in collaboration with The Center for
Small Towns at the University of
Minnesota, Morris for all five counties
(Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle,
Swift and Yellow Medicine) and 37
cities in the Upper Minnesota Valley
Region.
Housing &
School Enrollment
The data presented below includes statistics related to school enrollment and
housing in the Region, including median home values, median rent, median
monthly housing costs and vacancy rates for communities in the UMVRDC
Region and the State of Minnesota.
School Enrollment Since 1999
School District 1999-2000 2005-2006 2010-2011 % Change
Benson School District 1,216 1,050 970 -20.23%
Canby School District 766 581 522 -31.85%
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley School District 565 434 377 -33.27%
Dawson-Boyd School District 681 544 517 -24.08%
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg School District 664 585 557 -16.11%
Lac qui Parle Valley School District 1,245 1,007 820 -34.14%
Lakeview School District 589 609 595 1.02%
M.A.C.C.R.A.Y. School District 986 790 674 -31.64%
Montevideo School District 1,599 1,459 1,342 -16.07%
Ortonville School District 717 530 527 -26.50%
Yellow Medicine East School District 1,299 1,081 862 -33.64%
Source: Minnesota Department of Education
Comparison Historical Population from 1960 to 2010
Ortonville Population Projections
The population distribution shows that Ortonville is an aging
community with a large percentage of the population above the
age of 50 years. Ortonville has nearly an all white population,
which is typical for a community of its size.
Types of Employment in Ortonville, 2011
Race, 2010
97%
2% 1%
White
Hispanic/Latino
African American
Other
Source: US Census Bureau, Decennial Census
Ortonville Population Distribution, 2010
2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 % Change
Ortonville 1,850 1,841 1,839 1,820 1,800 -2.70%
Big Stone County 5,190 5,160 5,160 5,110 5,060 -2.50%
UMVRDC Region 45,510 45,300 45,000 44,500 44,110 -3.08%
Source: Minnesota Demographic Center
Types of Industry
Number of
Employees
Number
of Firms Total Wages
Average
Weekly Wage
Education and Health Services 557 13 $18,800,940 $649
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 156 21 $2,858,848 $352
Public Administration 147 11 $5,419,694 $717
Leisure and Hospitality 103 10 $593,757 $110
Construction 84 12 $2,734,590 $621
Professional and Business Services 42 11 $743,336 $348
Other Services 33 12 $524,663 $305
Manufacturing 30 4 $788,539 $509
Total, All Industries 1,207 108 $33,761,671 $538 Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, QCEW
6 4 2 0 2 4 6
Under 5 years5 to 9 years
10 to 14 years15 to 19 years20 to 24 years25 to 29 years30 to 34 years35 to 39 years40 to 44 years45 to 49 years50 to 54 years55 to 59 years60 to 64 years65 to 69 years70 to 74 years75 to 79 years80 to 84 years
85 years and over
Percent of Total Population
% Male % Female
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010
City 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 % Change
Ortonville 2,836 2,841 2,550 2,205 2,158 1,916 -32.44%
Households 912 982 NA 944 923 884 -3.07%
Average Household Size 3.11 2.89 NA 2.34 2.34 2.17 -30.23%
Montevideo 5,693 5,661 5,845 5,499 5,346 5,383 -5.45%
Benson 3,678 3,484 3,656 3,235 3,376 3,240 -11.91%
Granite Falls 2,728 3,225 3,451 3,083 3,070 2,897 6.20%
Madison 2,380 2,242 2,212 1,951 1,768 1,551 -34.83%
Dawson 1,766 1,699 1,901 1,626 1,539 1,540 -12.80%
Canby 2,146 2,147 2,143 1,826 1,903 1,795 -16.36%
Big Stone County 8,954 7,941 7,716 6,285 5,820 5,269 -41.15%
Source: US Census Bureau
Ortonville has seen an overall decrease in
population from 1960 - 2010. The decrease
has been consistent throughout the past
three decades. The population is projected
to decrease over the next few decades,
although not as rapidly as it has in the past.
3.5%
4.0%
4.5%
5.0%
5.5%
6.0%
6.5%
7.0%
7.5%
8.0%
8.5%
Big Stone County
Chippewa County
Lac qui ParleCounty
Swift County
Yellow MedicineCounty
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, LAUS
Unemployment Rates, 2000-2011
Employment by Industry in Big Stone County, 2011
Trade, Transportation
and Utilities 16%
Natural Resources and
Mining 2%
Manufacturing 3%
Education and Health Services
44%
Other Services 2%
Financial Activities
4%
Construction 9%
Public Administration
9%
Other 4%
Leisure and Hospitality
7%
Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development QCEW
The demographic profile below provides a snapshot of Ortonville and surrounding
communities’ historical, current and future population trends including
population distribution and make up.
Demographics The employment and industry data below represents a picture of the overall economic health of
Ortonville and Big Stone County. This data shows the diversity of the Region’s economy. Economic
Annual Median Household
Income:
• City of Ortonville - $40,969
• Big Stone - $44,438
• Chippewa - $44,712
• Lac qui Parle - $48,269
• Swift - $43,846
• Yellow Medicine - $50,740
• UMVRDC Region - $46,401
• Minnesota - $57,243
Source: 2007-2011 American Community Survey, U.S.
Census Bureau
The employment categories shown in the table
above and chart below show the 11 Super
Sectors of Industry, which is the federal
standard in data pertaining to business and
industry. Much of the economic activity in
Ortonville is in Education and Health Services.
This concentration within Ortonville extends
into the industry breakdown for Big Stone
County in the pie chart below. Nearly half of all
county employment in the 11 Super Sectors
comes from Education and Health Services. Big
Stone County had a slight increase in
unemployment during the Recession of 2007-
2009, but in 2011 maintained an unemployment
rate under 6.5%.