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Elm Creek Park Reserve Winter Recreation Area
Maple Grove, Minn.

Owner: Three Rivers Park District
Plymouth, Minn.

Honorable Mention, 2007 Project of the Year Award
Minnesota Chapter-American Public Works Association

Engineering projects traditionally represent a practical response to meeting both the larger needs of society and the more immediate needs of clients. The Elm Creek Park Reserve Winter Recreation Area elevates that tradition with an innovative approach to meeting the Three Rivers Park District’s mission of promoting environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park.

The project combines an aesthetically appealing, highly functional visitor center with permanent snowmaking infrastructure and outdoor area lighting for increased access to winter recreation activities such as cross country skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. Although snowmaking technology is common at downhill facilities, this is one of only a few cross country areas in North America to include it. It is also unique in being the only public park to offer it, as most sites were originally designed as Olympic venues. The project is designed to serve the public interest by fostering a life-long appreciation and respect for the natural world.

The overall project consisted of two phases. Phase I began in July 2003 and required completing the site civil, electrical, and mechanical design and construction in one season to have the outdoor recreation facilities available by December 2003. This represented a fast-track schedule for project design, bidding, equipment delivery, and installation/construction not typically associated with a public sector project.

Phase II involved completing a new visitors center by December 2006. The owner is currently tracking data to determine the building’s performance relating to the sustainable design guidelines established by the Minnesota Departments of Administration and Commerce.