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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PARK COMMISSION <br /> • Monday,March 2nd, 2020 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> by the University of Minnesota and rowed there through her college years. She also was an assistant <br /> coach and helped keep the club's program alive.They were there during the club's rough patch.This club <br /> was built on character.The rowing club is an ambassador of the community across the country as they <br /> participate in regattas and events.They have been given awards for their behavior and sportsmanship. <br /> They were proud to be part of this club; how it competed,worked,and succeeded. <br /> Mr.Zoner stated when the rowing club was started,it was just a bunch of boats with no home.The group <br /> took great pride in trying to make an impact on Billy's Lighthouse to show the community they were <br /> interested in good stewardship to reclaim the property and beautify it as well as the lakeshore.They were <br /> in the water in hip waders pulling dumpsters of tires,pipes,and trash to bring the area back to life.There <br /> has been a tremendous amount of sponsorship by local businesses and residents in the general <br /> community.They will continue to support the club in any way they can. <br /> Mr.Mike Feldmann, 1010 Old Long Lake Road,said they bought their home in the summer of 2017 and <br /> the park was a major selling point. They have enjoyed a mix of activities on the lake.He attended one of <br /> the rowing club meetings and felt they were cordial and constructive.He realizes a lot of the parks do not <br /> serve the immediate neighborhood,a lot of people use the parks infrequently,and a majority of the time a <br /> small frequency ends up being the majority of the users. He noted it would be unrealistic to reach out to <br /> everyone and hoped the proxies would speak for everyone.He is encouraged to know that the statement <br /> written about the growth of the rowing club was a mistake;the meeting he attended clarified that the <br /> expansion was not happening. He said he reviewed emails from the rowing members and it is very <br /> . relatable in that the club has been a positive influence on them. He wished the rowing club members <br /> continued success.He stated the proposal was not about anyone's feelings about the club; instead,it is <br /> about irreversibly modifying the face of the park the Orono community has come to enjoy. He realizes the <br /> trail will be evolving due to other improvements in the area.This proposal is for a massive building to be <br /> placed in the center of the park and there will be launches and docks close to where people will be <br /> swimming. If the proposal goes through,the nature of the park will fundamentally and forever be <br /> modified.Placement of a large boat storage facility,private offices overlooking the lake,and a fitness <br /> facility is outside the scope of what should be considered good public resource stewardship. It also sets a <br /> dangerous precedent for the future of Orono parks. <br /> Ms. Rachel Feldmann, 1010 Old Long Lake Road,stated they are the property next to Summit Beach. <br /> She said she appreciates that the Park Commission exists and promotes the usage of all parks in the area. <br /> She would like to leave the park as it is. Adding the boating equipment would not fit with its purpose and <br /> is not the best use of the park.They did receive notice from the rowing club to get together and get <br /> feedback,and that was great. She understands the rowing club has benefits: it's a form of exercise and <br /> there are scholarships available,She noted there would be a lot more traffic and the situation would need <br /> to be assessed when it gets developed,because the City will probably have to make a bigger parking lot <br /> and they would already be taking away from the playground and grassy area.The teenagers use the <br /> hammocks in the trees. She said the park is very good the way it is now and asked the Commissioners to <br /> reject the proposal. <br /> Ms. Lisa McCarty,3340 Graham Hill Road,stated eight years ago she and her husband wanted to move <br /> to Orono and looked at 1000 Old Long Lake Road.They loved the house,but because her husband is a <br /> surgeon and gone a lot,she was worried about the safety of the park since they had three young children <br /> at the time. She sat in the park after dark,and the activities she saw at the time were not things she wanted <br /> • in her backyard so they did not buy the house. She believes there is a lack of perceived security in <br /> Summit Beach Park and believes having perceived security would change some of the activities occurring <br /> Page 5 of 20 <br />