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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARKS,OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday, September 4,2001 <br /> McDermott concurred that the Park Commission would need a diagram of what the area would <br /> look like prior to turning this site into a natural area. McDermott stated in his opinion <br /> approximately 40 to 50 feet of the lakeshore would be restored,with the remaining 20 feet left as is. <br /> Wolfe agreed that this is an intriguing concept, but questioned whether this is beyond the scope of <br /> what the Park Commission has been directed to do. Wolfe stated in his opinion there might be <br /> better sites within the City for an ecosystem restoration and that the Park Commission needs to <br /> address what type of access should be allowed at this site. <br /> McDermott stated in his view if swimming is not allowed and there is just basically a pathway <br /> down to the lake,this access point will not become heavily used. <br /> Meyers questioned whether the Park Commission should even classify this as a Class I-A, noting <br /> that the exact language for this classification has not been finalized. <br /> McDermott stated the Park Commission needs to determine what type of classification they want to <br /> give to this site. McDermott indicated the Council would be holding a public hearing on this matter <br /> probably in September,with the Council voting on the recommended classifications. A Class I-A <br /> classification could include language that this is a natural area that is being developed for an <br /> ecosystem based approach for filtering drainage before it enters the water based upon the <br /> recommendations of the DNR. <br /> Ilse stated she has heard some of the residents say they are not opposed to having the neighbors <br /> have access at this time,with swimming not being recommended, and fishing not being preferred. <br /> Ilse stated perhaps the Park Commission needs to consider those types of issues first and what the <br /> City would like to see this access point used for. <br /> McDermott stated the first question in his opinion far the Park Commissio�� is whether they want to <br /> adopt a classification called a natural area. <br /> Bouchard indicated she would be willing to adopt a classification for a natural area, but that she <br /> would like to see pedestrian access left available. <br /> Meyers stated there could be an observation trail or lookout area constructed which would allow <br /> access close to the lakeshore. <br /> McDermott stated in his view the Park Commission is not in favor of fencing this access point off <br /> totally. <br /> Bouchard indicated she is not in favor of adopting a classification for a natural area if the public is <br /> not allowed to have access to it. <br /> McDermott and Meyers indicated they agree with Bouchard. Meyers stated if this area is turned <br /> into a natural area, swimming, boating, and fishing probably would not be allowed,which would be <br /> included in the classification language. <br /> Wolfe stated in his view adding the"natural classification"may be premature at this time. Wolfe <br /> stated people have been using this access point for the past 40 to 50 years, which cannot be <br /> PAGE 8 <br />