Document Type
Professional Plan Capstone
Original Publication Date
2021
Client
Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission
Location
Appleton, Minnesota
Date of Submission
May 2021
Abstract
This master plan for the Appleton Area OHV Park, located in Swift County in west-central Minnesota, is intended to capture user feedback and to inform future park development. This master plan will be used to show that the park is of regional significance and will therefore gain access to Minnesota’s Legacy Funds administered by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission. Because most of the public OHV resources are in the northeastern part of the state, and access to private land is extremely limited, the park is a critical regional amenity for OHV users. The park serves all four classes of OHV designated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and regularly draws users from 200 to 300 miles away. The park consists of 325 acres and 20 miles of trails. Park users must register their vehicles with the State of Minnesota, but the park is free to use and open to the public. Because OHV use has known negative environmental impacts, using a former gravel mining location for the park is an appropriate use for this disturbed landscape that is unlikely to be returned to its natural state. The park serves as an important greenspace and accommodates non-OHV uses such as walking, swimming, kayaking, and cross-country skiing. Funds for maintaining the park come solely from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Off-highway Vehicle Trails Assistance Program.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects