07-27-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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From:Wendy Geffre To:Anna Carlson; Dustin Rief Subject:Proposed Summit Beach Park Date:Saturday, July 25, 2020 4:14:20 PM I disapprove of the proposed Summit Beach Park to be redeveloped for the use of another privatized club around the Lake Minnetonka area. I state Lake Minnetonka, which includes Orono/Long Lake area. I grew up, raised children and now have grandchildren in many communities around the lakes and now have lived in Orono for 17 years. I have watched the well-to-do buy up land or businesses develop any footage available for their private use. Most recent example: Wolf Ridge housing development privatizing shoreline on Long Lake for their use only. Bruce and Ruth Dayton donated the natural, rustic Wood Rill Scientific and Natural Area, plus 4.8 acres of Summit Beach for the open, quiet and natural area. If anyone has been to Summit Beach on any given day, you will find toddlers to seniors swimming laps. The rowing club does NOT represent all of the diverse people who enjoy this beach. I, even, disapprove of a playground for you will see teenagers throwing frisbees, to parents playing catch, to building sand castles. Sunbathers, book readers, picnics on blankets, kayaking, fishing, rafting, fishing along the shore, rope swing – all constructive fun. Summit Beach is an open spaced, natural area within our community that all sources of income can enjoy without paying park fees. Has anyone seen the turkeys who roost in the trees? Laid on a raft and seen a baby eagle learning to navigate its new life? Parents teaching their children to do basic swimming? A senior taking his grandchild out on kayaks and teaching them the art of slow, peaceful boating? That you will find at Summit Beach. I, truly, enjoyed seeing the rowing club on Long Lake but there must be an alternative solution. There is plenty of shoreline on the west end of Nelson Park and this park is already structured for boats, trailers. The old BP station can be a storage unit for rowers and the money they will use for building up Summit Park can be used for trailers to transport. It’s a direct line down to Nelson Park boat landing. I can honestly predict if this proposed “good sell” of redeveloping Summit Park for the greater good, will become another private club and restrictions to the community using this beach. A large volume of community will not be able to afford signing their children up for lessons. Restrictions will be placed on usage of the land due to expensive boats being stored, not to mention the destruction of the old trees, wildlife and natural shoreline. Lets talk about another tax increase for water, sewage, parking lot, playground equipment, maintenance etc. etc. Who pays for this? I question, if, this property was donated as an open, green space by the Daytons, to the community, is there not a clause that states it cannot be developed for the privatization of any group? Again, I strongly oppose taking our last bit of natural area. The community as a whole, I’m sure, do not want to become another Wayzata, Excelsior. Thank you. Wendy Geffre. Sent from Mail for Windows 10