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ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br /> MINUTES FOR APRIL 3, 1995 <br /> (Discussion of Proposed Development near French Creek Preserve - <br /> Continued) <br /> Melamed stated that once we decide how much land we want on the <br /> east, then we can calculate how much to take on the west, or vice <br /> a verse . <br /> Flint felt that we did not need more then 15' for the bike trail . <br /> Because it can be wound in and out of the trees and the wetlands . <br /> Wilson asked to discuss the bike trail issue . She felt it plays on <br /> the first 2 issues and she questioned the need for a bike trail <br /> south of the Luce Line . The key reasons for the Old Crystal Bay <br /> Road Bike Trail were to connect it up with the unique bike trail at <br /> Baker Park, second key factor was for the kids to come up to the <br /> school for ball games, playground, tennis courts, etc . , both of <br /> which out weighed the negatives . On the south side of the Luce <br /> Line, " I can' t think of any significant reasons to do a separated <br /> trail . I think a shoulder that would be somewhat rideable, where <br /> you would just be having 3 ' here and there when the road is redone . <br /> But a separated trail to me, would have no advantage at all, rather <br /> then destroying the rural character of the area and taking people' s <br /> property when their houses are close to the road. There are a lot <br /> of low spots along that road that would be almost impossible to put <br /> a bike trail across . One is north of Wysocki' s house, a huge <br /> wetland that goes way back. Even on Melameds property, there are <br /> major wetlands . " <br /> Flint pointed out that a bike trail south of the Luce Line was in <br /> the City' s long range plan. He said nobody was proposing a trail <br /> in a week or a month or a year, what we are talking about is <br /> whether we forever give up the opportunity to secure the easement . <br /> White felt that the Commission should take an easement, if not for <br /> today, tomorrow or 25 years from now, but for 50 to 100 years from <br /> now. Who knows what is going to happen out there, one tornado and <br /> all the houses and woods are gone . We really risk not taking this <br /> for the future generations . Even if we don' t plan on building it <br /> for 5 of 50 years . What is the harm in doing that? If you don' t <br /> vote for it, it won' t happen. Who knows 75 years from now. I <br /> remember in Minneapolis, they said what vision they had for their <br /> Park System. I don' t intend to vote for a bike trail right now, <br /> but maybe in future years, it will be so different in character we <br /> won' t be talking about the rural character of Orono, but we will be <br /> talking about the big city problems 100 years from now. Who knows? <br /> But if we don' t take the easement now, can you imagine wh�t the <br /> land values are going to be later. Big Island, the entire Hennepin <br /> County Park Section, which was purchased in the last 25 years for <br /> $50 , 000 . 00 dollars . No one could consider buying that kind of land <br /> for any thing close to that price now. <br /> 7 <br />