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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 /> 0 neighboring communities. <br />