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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> Monday,March 2nd, 2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <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 71/2 hours does not look like much time,but people will get together and hang out <br /> 1V2-2 hours before and I''Y2-2 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 /> 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 /> 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 /> 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 /> 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 /> 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 <br /> Page 4 of 20 <br />