02-14-2005 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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f n3 1 4 2005 CITV OP Umu/vO A RESOLUTION BY THE ORONO PARK COMMISION SUPPORTING ACQUISITION OF THE BIG ISLAND VETERANS CAMP BY THE CITY OF ORONO TO ENSURE CONTINUED PUBLIC OWNNERSIIIP OF THIS RESOURCE WHEREAS, the future use and ownership of the 53 acre Veterans Camp on Big Island in the City of Orono is uncertain, at this time, as the Veterans Board of Governors that owns and operates the eamp have approved the sale of the camp and there is a potential possibility tliat the camp may be sold to private individuals for development purposes. WHEREAS, this property has by used by the veterans since the end of World War I us a natural and peaceful place for rest and relaxation, and this property today still remains in a pristine and natural state that is only minimally developed. WHEREAS, this 53 acres of virtually undeveloped natural open .space on Big island in the center ol heavily developed and utilized l.akc Minnetonka in the Twin Cites metropolitan area that has a population of over two million people is a unique and irreplaceable property. WHEREAS, the primary goal of the City of Orono for the past thirty years has been the protection of Lake Minnetonka water quality through preservation of natural open spaces and low density development, and City ’s 2000 to 2002 Community Management Plan classifies the Big Island Veterans Camp as recreational space. WHEREAS, another important goal of the City of Orono for the past thirty years has been the protection and acquisition of open space areas to provide for abundant high quality natural park areas for the enjoyment of nature. WHEREAS, the Orono Park Commission is an appointed citizen advisory commission that makes recommendations to the City Council on issues concerning parks, open .space, and trails in the C ity, and finds that the City acquisition of the veterans camp to preserve this valuable open space for public use is consistent with the long term City goals for the protection of Lake Minnetonka and the pre.servation of open space to provide high (|uality recreational opportunities. THEREFORE, BE II RESOLVED, that the Orono Park Commission supports the City of Orono’s efforts for acquisition of the Big Island Veterans Camp for continued open space preservation and the provision of natural space public recreational opjrortunities Adopted by the Orono Park Commission at a regular meeting held on February 7, 2005