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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday, March 2nd, 2020 <br />6:00 o’clock p.m. <br />_____________________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Page 4 of 20 <br /> <br />could be lethal to a swimmer. A powerboat is elevated and loud, and the operator can see everyone <br />around them. He felt one rowing boat was equal to four powerboats in terms of lake space. He said that <br />every lake has a boat limit and with all of the rowboats, the lake would be useless because nobody else <br />can use it. He stated 7½ hours does not look like much time, but people will get together and hang out <br />1½-2 hours before and 1½-2 hours after with friends. He asked how the rowers and people that want to <br />use the beach will fit in the parking lot. <br /> <br />Ms. Aimee R. Guidera, 2325 Willow Hill Drive South, said although she dislikes exercising, being in a rowboat <br />on Long Lake is a very peaceful, quiet, spiritual experience and is part of her life. The only way she is able to <br />find that peace, health, and joy is through the club. People are able to enjoy the natural beauty of Long Lake as <br />residents of Orono while building intergenerational community and camaraderie; club members range in age <br />from 15-85. She encouraged Commissioners to think about everyone’s access to the lake and the fact that this <br />club, for many people, is the only way to access Long Lake. <br /> <br />Ms. Eleanor Winston, 765 Springhill Road, said she has been looking at the lake for many years and enjoying <br />the park. They love seeing the rowers when they walk around the lake every day; they are very quiet. She is <br />concerned about a big building on the property because that is all anyone would see because it is a small park. <br />She stated the amenities include the old-growth trees, and she is concerned about taking even just one tree off <br />the hillside. She wondered how much activity would be in the building during the winter season and asked if it <br />would be open year-round. She is concerned about the boats being walked back-and-forth, given the location of <br />the building and the dock where they would be launched. <br /> <br />Mr. Norm Hammond, 450 East Long Lake Road, reiterated Mr. Carlson’s comments: Mr. Dayton donated <br />the property to everyone to preserve a natural and beautiful setting. He would strongly oppose any <br />permanent special construction on the park land. <br /> <br />Mr. Roger Adams, 1130 Underhill Circle, Long Lake, said they are long-term residents; he is the third <br />generation. He grew up on the lake and has observed it for many years. He is the Chair of the Long Lake <br />Planning Commission and has been observing the group's activities since its inception. He was <br />instrumental in developing the plan and the hours that they could operate so they could work and share <br />the resource with other users of the lake. In his experience, they have been great neighbors and <br />community partners; there was a rough patch, but they got through that. He believes the lake is a precious <br />shared resource for everyone in Minnesota, not just people in the area. He is in favor of activities that are <br />beneficial to the lake and the community which use the resource in a very healthy and environmentally <br />sound manner. He is not in favor of activities that harm this precious resource. He stated in the last decade <br />he lost 2 feet of shoreline, even though he has riprap which has been there since the 1920s. He stated it <br />was due to two reasons: unusually high-water levels and wakes. If he had to say he was against any <br />activities, large boats producing 2-foot wakes that erode the shoreline all summer long are not beneficial <br />to the lake, environment, or the use of the shared resource. He spends a lot of time on the lake in his <br />pontoon boat. Most of the time when he goes by Summit Beach, there are 1-2 families or groups of teens <br />there but it is not that big of a use. He thinks this activity would be great for Long Lake and the <br />community. He thinks it is a reasonable proposal that can be refined and made better. When he was on the <br />Planning Commission, he was told that 90% of his time would be spent on two issues: signage and <br />parking. The City would need to make sure there is sufficient parking for the shared use of the resource. <br /> <br />Mr. Eric Zoner, 1050 Cox Farm Road, said he came from Atlanta and has lived here for 16 years. They <br />are glad they chose Orono and talk about staying in Orono for the rest of their lives. Their daughter was a <br />member of the rowing crew when it first started in 2013. She benefited tremendously and was recruited