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Picnic Facility Redevelopment at Bunker Hills Regional Park
Over the past several years, the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department has been redeveloping Bunker Hills Regional Park. The latest phase began in 2004 and includes the redevelopment of the parks picnic area and facilities. To date, five new picnic pavilions, two new restroom buildings, a new bituminous trail system connecting the facilities and new roadways and parking lots have been constructed. The last remaining restroom and an additional play structure will be constructed in 2008 and 2009. Two miles of new trails will be constructed as well as the resurfacing of about one and one-half miles of existing trails. In addition, the County will be working in conjunction with the City of Coon Rapids to construct new trails and a tunnel under the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroad to provide safe access to the park from the local city neighborhoods into the park.

During this redevelopment, the parking lot to the Activity Center Building was also reconstructed as well as the roadway from Bunker Lake Boulevard to Bunker Park Stables. This project improved the safety and aesthetics of the roadway and parking lot and created an aesthetically pleasing landscape for visitors. As part of this redevelopment project, the Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, Master Gardener Program to create a Veteran’s Peace Garden to honor all Veterans. The garden should be completed in June 2008.

Further redevelopment plans include the expansion of Bunker Hills Campground as well as the addition of water and electric hook-ups to some of the existing camp sites.


Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve
The CSAH 14/Main Street reconstruction project has provided some challenges in accessing the facilities at the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. The portion of the road through the park is scheduled to be completed by Labor Day 2008. Once complete the new road will provide turn lanes into and out of the park; there will be a new bridge over Rice Creek and a new driveway to the Peltier Lake public boat launch. As part of the project, the easternmost portion of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail will be constructed. This trail, a new 10’ wide bituminous off-street trail, will follow the CSAH 14/Main Street alignment from Interstate 35W to Interstate 35E. Once complete it will connect Wargo Nature Center, Heritage Lab, the Peltier Lake public boat launch, the park entrance, downtown Centerville and the east side of Lino Lakes.

Future plans for the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve include the construction of a new Visitors Service Center, which will serve as the public through daily and annual permit sales and will serve as the campground registration building. Along with the new building, a new play structure is planned for the campground, as well as the construction of an additional picnic pavilion at the beach. In addition, one mile of paved trail is planned to connect the beach and campground area to the Central Anoka County Regional Trail. This last segment will then complete a scenic loop around Centerville Lake.