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 Does the proposal enhance or detract from the use of the park? <br />o Answer: It Detracts. Safety is a major concern to have a rowing club and swimming <br />beach share the same space or proximity. Row boats are a unique and dangerous craft <br />in the nature of the backwards navigation which poses visibility concerns of seeing <br />swimmers in the water around them, and especially as they launch and dock their boats. <br />Many people of all ages are seen swimming to and from Summit beach, not to mention <br />all the other lake activities occurring there as previously mentioned. In addition, the <br />proposal places a very large building where many current users enjoy the park. <br />Furthermore, an increase in park usage is also to be anticipated once the East Long Lake <br />Road trail is complete and more bikers/walkers will come through this area as it <br />connects up with the Luce Line Trail. A building here completely changes the nature of <br />the park from a peaceful natural setting to a boat storage facility and private club. Any <br />community classes which the LLRC may eventually hope to add is no trade to the grave <br />loss of park community free activities that Summit Park offers. Any decision in favor of <br />an Orono/LLRC partnership at Summit Beach, forever changes this quaint park in a way <br />that the original land donors never intended. <br /> What benefits would the proposal provide to the park; to the community? <br />o Answer: None. The proposal does not serve the community as a whole in any additional <br />way and would in fact obstruct and hinder community use as the park is enjoyed <br />presently. If this proposal is recommended it would ONLY serve the private club LLRC <br />and then later only possibly a small group of community people interested in a specific <br />activity (rowing) that then hinders all other community activity at Summit Beach & Long <br />Lake. There are accompanying proposals to add public restrooms and some picnic <br />areas and possibly a small playground. These goals can be accomplished without the <br />need for a private workout facility, private offices, and a private boat storage facility <br />which the LLRC supports. Also, the present parking lot at Summit Beach is already fully <br />utilized during peak usage days by fisherman & beach users, and will be used by others <br />in the community once the walking/biking trail is developed along East Long Lake Rd. <br />Parking needs here will increase even without an LLRC presence as people will park here <br />for the above reasons and to access the bike path to the Luce Line Trail & East Long Lake <br />Road trail. Adding any type of building or storage facility at Summit will take away from <br />current parking, not to mention create additional parking needs for the LLRC and <br />eliminate green spaces. All of this would impede current park usage at Summit Beach. <br /> What costs if any would be incurred by the city? <br />o This discussion was likely meant to focus on financial considerations, but we need to <br />recognize the non-monetary aspects of this proposal. Putting a huge building in the <br />middle of this small park irreversibly changes this park away from its initial designed <br />intent to which it is serving very well. <br /> What requirements/restrictions does the commission recommend the City council consider <br />imposing on the applicant’s plan? <br />o We urge the Park Commission to completely reject any type of partnership with a <br />private club (such as LLRC) at Summit Beach in alignment with the Park Commission’s <br />vision and mission to protect and promote park usage by the community and <br />neighboring communities.