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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday, September 4,2001 <br /> McDermott noted the Park Commission had previously classified this access point as a <br /> Class I. McDermott stated following the past few meetings and the information recently obtained <br /> from the DNR, along with an offer by the Lines to help fund the restoration of this shoreline, the <br /> Park Commission may want to reconsider their classification of this site. <br /> Ilse stated in her view the Park Commission wants to be reasonable and compromise whenever <br /> appropriate to help protect the rights of the public. Ilse acknowledged that it is not possible to <br /> please everyone, but that the continuing concerns she has heard expressed throughout this process <br /> concern safety issues as it relates to swimming, safety issues as it relates to strange people in the <br /> neighborhood, and fishing problems. <br /> Ilse stated at this time vacating this access point is not an option for the City in light of the fact that <br /> there is no other good access for this part of the lake for non-lakeshore owners. Ilse stated she is a <br /> strong believer that all people should have the right to access the lake. <br /> Ilse suggested the following options be considered by the Park Commission: <br /> - Leave as is; <br /> - Accept the Lines' offer to turn into natural area; <br /> - Construct a stairway down to the lakeshore; <br /> - Erect no parking signs along Forest Lane to make it difficult for nonwalkers to access this site; <br /> - Erect no fishing signs at the water's edge to prevent fishing; <br /> - Erect signs that are low to the ground to keep this area more private; <br /> - Make a trade for another site to access the lake. <br /> Ilse stated in her view closing this access point and limiting it just to the neighbors is really not an <br /> option. Ilse reiterated that she feels strongly that access should be allowed and that swimming <br /> should be discouraged at this location. Ilse commented that steps can be taken to allow access by <br /> the local neighbors and not invite the entire general public to this lake access point. <br /> Wolfe stated in his view that is what the goal of the Park Commission is for all the lake access <br /> points. <br /> McDermott stated if this site is developed as a natural area, swimming would not be allowed. <br /> Ilse inquired if this area is turned into a natural area whether people would still be able to walk <br /> down to the lakeshore or just have a lookout area. <br /> McDermott stated that would be an item that would need to be discussed further. McDermott <br /> stated in his opinion if this area is turned into a natural area, one of the recommendations should be <br /> that individuals would still be allowed access to the bottom of the hill or be able to access a lookout <br /> area on the top of the hill, but that access into the water would not be an option. <br /> Meyers stated the idea of an overlook is an option that should be considered, but expressed a <br /> concern that the use of this access point would probably change if it is turned into a natural area. <br /> Meyers indicated he would like to see a diagram of what the natural area would look like prior to <br /> making this area natural. <br /> PAGE 7 <br />