07-27-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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From:Jessi To:Anna Carlson; Dustin Rief Subject:Please protect Summit Beach Park! Date:Monday, July 27, 2020 2:48:05 PM Dear Orono City Council Members, I just heard today about a proposal to build a large building and docks for the private row club at Summit Beach. I am very concerned about this proposal. In short, I ask you to VOTE NO. I grew up in Orono and spent most of my summer days swimming and playing at Summit Beach. Because Orono is such a great community, I moved back to Orono seven years ago with my husband and we are raising our three boys here. Summit Beach is one of our favorite places to spend time. We swim, we kayak, we play in the sand, we throw the football around, we play tag, we go off the rope swing, we picnic. It’s a very special little nook in our community. It’s a true gem of a place. The wind/boat-protected swimming beach, the sand, the rope swing, the shaded hillside, the picnic tables, and the open grassy area all provide a variety recreational opportunities - including the ability to just sit back and enjoy the natural beauty around you. It is a well-loved spot in our community and is USED by MANY. I believe taking away ANY of this public space for a private crew club is unethical and would be truly sad. Putting up a private building on public land will negatively impact Summit Beach and the public’s enjoyment of it forever. It will drastically limit the number of people who can enjoy the space and the ways in which they can enjoy it. On hot summer days, people from across our community can be found spread across the entire property. The water is speckled with swimming bodies, laughter comes from within the trees, kids run across the green grass playing games, people are picnicking or reading in the shade. I cannot imagine a boat house small enough that would not have a drastically negative impact on Summit Beach Park and the community who enjoys it. I also cannot imagine any amount of crew club boat traffic that will not negatively impact the park and the community who enjoys it. Orono’s open space is a priority that we cannot afford to lose. We need to protect it, because if we lose it, we will never get it back. I hope and trust you will continue to pursue the city’s vision statement of being “the residential community of choice and remain widely recognized for its preservation of natural world beauty, quality of life, and recreational assets” and PLEASE VOTE NO. Sincerely, Jessi Lindquist Sent from my iPhone