Residents value the rural atmosphere of Afton. Five-acre minimum lot sizes outside of the Old Village that do not dominate the views of the countryside, large non-buildable areas of the City, and the large amount of farmland create an open feel to the landscape. In a 2007 survey, sixty-five percent of Afton residents reported they enjoy living here because of the amount of open space[1].
Existing Parks
The City does not have a substantial amount of public open space and developed parks. The City of Afton has one park for active recreation, Town Square Park in, and another for passive recreation, Steamboat Park, along the St. Croix River. Both parks are located in the Old Village.
Over the course of many years, the City has acquired a number of other parcels throughout the city of Afton with the potential of development into local parks. These lots are located at:
{Need to ID and add City parklands}
These public lands were acquired in conjunction with the approval of major subdivisions over the course of several decades and remain undeveloped.
Community and regional parks (Afton State Park, Lucy Winton Bell Fields, Lake Elmo Regional Park Reserve, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, and Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park) also provide a variety of different types of recreation to Afton residents.
(recreational facilities MAP)
Two biking/hiking trails pass through the City. One trail follows St. Croix Trail South and extends from the northern edge of the Old Village to Interstate 94. The other, Afton Bluffs Regional Trail, is designated along County Road 18 and is not separated from the roadway.
The City seeks to protect a number of significant natural features within its boundaries. These include Trout Brook, Valley Creek and its North Branch, Bissel's Mounds and Kel’s Coulee in the Old Village. Bissel's Mounds in particular are unique to Washington County and are a recognized landmark in the City. Other natural features that are determined to be either unique or geologically sensitive will be preserved as the property around them is developed.
Afton State Park is located south of Afton and a portion of the park is located within the City's boundaries. The park was authorized by legislation in 1969 and was opened to the public in 1982. The terrain of the park is defined by a glacial moraine cut by deep ravines running into the St. Croix River. To Afton’s residents, the state park offers many recreational amenities, including: backpack camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, cross country skiing, a prairie landscape, bird watching, and animal sighting. Some of the animals the park offers a home to include hawks, bluebirds, meadowlarks, deer, fox, badgers, thirteen-lined ground squirrels, turkeys, and gray and fox squirrels. Afton State Park is also home to an array of natural vegetation. It contains a combination of oak openings and woodlands. Park wildflowers include Woodland Ephemerals in the spring, Butterfly Weed and Puccoons in the summer, and Sunflowers and Blazing Star in the fall.
(parks and open spaces MAP)
Community Feedback
In 2007, residents gave their opinion on they would like to see the City focus park and recreation efforts and funds over the next ten years. 80 percent of the residents stated a desire to preserve a rural lifestyle. Only 28 percent indicated a desire to see improvement of active parks and recreation, though 51 percent desired an increase in the number of passive parks and recreation and open space. 50 percent indicated a desire to see more non-motorized trails established.
According to the same survey, only 18 percent of residents would like to see additional parks developed, only 19 percent want neighborhood parks in all wards, and 39 percent would like to see passive nature areas and preserves throughout Afton. When residents were asked if they would support an increase property taxes for recreational facilities, 19 percent said yes for active parks, 39 percent said yes for passive parks, 7 percent said yes for motorized trails, 41 percent said yes for non-motorized trails, and 47 percent said yes for passive nature areas.
The City of Afton establishes the following parks and recreation goals:
- Create central community gathering places.
- Create safe environments for children to play and for the community to gather.
- Maintain designated open spaces to provide for wildlife and habitat and migration.
- Reconnect Afton's historical linkages to the St. Croix River.
- Provide safe areas to ride bicycles in within the City.
- Provide safe areas to ride horses within the City.
- Provide pedestrian friendly means of enjoying Afton's scenic views, wildlife, and connections to the St. Croix River.
To bring about these goals, the City of Afton hereby adopts the following policies:
Continue to maintain a public square in the old village. Improve Town Square Park's visual appeal.
Continue to grow the park system through park fees assessed in the process of development.
Obtain, whenever possible, ownership of property or development rights only if the protect unique natural features which can thereby be enjoyed by the general public
Create an attractive public park space connection with the St. Croix River from St. Croix Trail to the City Docks.
Create interconnected bike routes throughout Afton using our cities network of paved roads.
Create riding trails in areas set aside permanently as open space preserves
Park dedication fees shall be updated to be similiar to that of other communities in our region.
To enact these policies and perpetuate the goals of the city, the City of Afton seeks to implement the following strategies:
Fund the development of a public parkway from St. Croix Trail to Afton's city docks on the St. Croix River.
Fund the provision of a fishing dock on the north end of Steam Boat Park.
Improve walking paths through Steam Boat Park
Improve signage in Steam Boat Park
Improve garbage collection in all Afton Parks
Reconnstitute a public commission of Afton citizens whose repsonsibilties shall include the planning and care of Afton's parks, trails, and open spaces
Require all open space developments to provide a linked trail component for walking, biking, and horseback riding were appropriate.
Collect park dedication fees in most instances in lieu of land dedication.
