Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park Master Plan
The Vadnais-Snail Lakes Regional Park and surrounding area has seen above normal precipitation and groundwater levels over the past 10 years that have led to flooding of roads, trails and park picnic areas. Currently, several sections of the trail system are closed due to flooding, along with the public beach and picnic area near Snail Lake. Ramsey County Parks & Recreation has been working with Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) and the city of Shoreview to collect data, make drainage improvements and address flooding issues to private residences and public infrastructure.
The data, which includes modeling of flood impacts and physical surveying of drainage features, will allow for accurate assessment of water elevations and predicting where future flooding impacts will occur. This information will be used as part of the framework for the regional park master plan update to determine where to replace impacted trails and facilities, so they are resilient to future flooding. This master plan update is a requirement of the Metropolitan Council as the overseer of the regional parks and trails system.
Master plan update – final draft
Trail impacts
Information has been assembled to address some comments and concerns received during the 30-day public review of the master plan amendment. Several concerns were brought up regarding the use of a boardwalk system to restore trail and access in the Wetland A part of the park corridor segment. The document compares impacts of a boardwalk system and filling to raise existing paved trails.
Frequently asked questions
General information
What’s causing the high water in the Wetland A area?
The leading causes of high water at Snail Lake Regional Park have been higher than average precipitation since 2009, along with high groundwater, and urbanization of the area. The Wetland A area is the lowest portion of the city and has become landlocked due to modern urban development. Outflow restrictions exist downstream due to other flood-prone areas throughout the watershed.
What is the goal for mitigating high water in the regional park?
Ramsey County’s goal is to replace the amenities in a way that provides future resiliency to the effects of climate change, while preserving the balance of the recreational development with the natural environment.
If waters recede, will Wetland A be restored to the wetland conditions that existed before the flooding?
A wetland ecosystem is very resilient to fluctuations in differing water levels. In high water conditions, wetland plants lay dormant and regrow once the water recedes. Wetlands require little to no restoration as nature takes its course. The wetland buffer is currently being restored by the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District and Parks & Recreation. This project includes removing invasive buckthorn and planting native plants that are resilient to wet or totally saturated conditions.
What will be done about the dead and dying trees in the Wetland A, Snail Lake and Grass Lake areas caused by the high waters?
Hazardous trees will be removed when access becomes available. Numerous insect and bird species are using the dead trees for habitat, and trees that do not pose a hazard will remain.
Water pumping
Can you pump water out of the Wetland A area where the trails are not submerged?
Groundwater levels are currently very high in the area and around the region. Drawing water down effectively by pumping could be difficult as groundwater would seep into Wetland A as quickly as it is pumped. On June 1, 2020, groundwater and surface water levels were measured. The difference was only 0.8 feet between the groundwater and surface water, meaning the water on some flooded trails is coming from groundwater.
Another issue is there is no where to pump water from Wetland A. On June 1, 2020, Grass Lake’s water surface elevation was at capacity. Pumping of Wetland A into Grass Lake would flood the parkland north of Gramsie Road.
Boardwalk
Why do we need to build boardwalks?
The fixed elevated boardwalk proposed in the Wetland A area will allow for resiliency to future high or low water conditions that pumping will not allow for. The boardwalk design is modular, making it easy to add on to in the event that water levels impact more paved trail areas. This also allows the initial boardwalk project to be smaller, requiring less funding and allowing it to be constructed sooner. In addition, boardwalks are preferred for sensitive environmental conditions like wetlands and floodplains.
Will the proposed boardwalk be noisy?
The boardwalk proposed in the master plan will have heavy gauge steel framing with thick wood planks for the decking, making the structure sturdy and quiet when in use.
Will the boardwalk be slippery?
The proposed boardwalk will utilize proven slip-resistant, long-lasting materials that minimize slippery conditions for trail users. All proposed materials will be required to meet slip coefficients to make the surface safe for all trail users.
Will the boardwalk be accessible?
The boardwalk will meet all accessibility requirements and building codes. Access points to adjacent public property leading to neighborhoods are proposed where possible. The ten-foot wide boardwalk will also allow ample space for bicycles and pedestrians to safely use the boardwalk simultaneously.
Community engagement
30-day public review
A 30-day review period for the master plan draft document was open through January 7, 2021. The master plan was developed through community engagement, partner participation and public input through community meetings and online involvement.
Public outreach
The public outreach phase of the master plan update has concluded. All comments have been compiled and used to influence the preferred concept.
The next step in the master planning process will consist of formal reviews with the Shoreview Parks and Recreation Commission, Shoreview Bikeways and Trails Committee and the Ramsey County Parks Commission. It will then be submitted to the Shoreview City Council, Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, and the Metropolitan Council.
Preferred concepts
All documents are PDFs.
Previous community engagement meetings
March 3, 2020
A pop-up meeting was held at the Shoreview Community Center for the general public. Concepts were presented to the Snail Lake Improvement District (SLID).
All documents are PDFs.
February 19, 2020
At the second meeting, concepts based on comments from the previous meeting were presented. An opportunity for residents to provide feedback followed.
All documents are PDFs.
- Presentation
- Comments
- Pop-up meeting comments
- Grass Lake concept
- Snail Lake concept
- Wetland A concept A
- Wetland A concept B
- Wetland A concept C
January 23, 2020
At the kickoff meeting, a brief project overview was given and an opportunity for residents to provide comments and ask questions followed. The focus was on flooded park infrastructure such as trails, the Snail Lake picnic shelter and beach.
All documents are PDFs.