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r* <br />Fact Sheet - Saga Hill Park FEB 2 2 1999. <br />Timeline Oil T or orioi>iv^ <br />I Q‘)5 - At the request of residents, the city of Orono obtains 9.6 acre ta.\ forfeiture parcel from <br />Hennepin County for park use. Reverend Dennis Poole and Patti Affeldt offered access to <br />this parcel across Church property. <br />1996 - Group of residents assists city in winning a $50,000 DNR matching grant to acquire an <br />additional 14.1 acres on Saga Hill. <br />Residents successftilly raise $97,500 to match DNR grant. City gains a new natural area. <br />Total acreage now available for passive and active park use - 23.7 acres. <br />1997 Resident group applies on behalf of city for a second DNR grant to acquire 8.5 acre <br />Sollner-Webb property, adjacent to existing park. Request is denied because option on the <br />land is held by a developer. <br />1998 Auer developer's option lapses, residents successftilly negotiate purchase agreement witli <br />landowner at 2/3 appraised value. <br />City agrex's to apply for DNR grant and wins up to $75,000 in matching funds. Residents <br />begin fundraising process, approaching more than 20 foundations as well as individuals <br />interested in preserv ation of open space. <br />1999 Fundraising yields $25,000. leaving a shortfall of $48,300. <br />Purchase agreement will expire March 20. If matching funds arc not secured, citv will <br />lose grant and the opportunity to expand Saga Hill park. <br />Why acquire Solincr-Webb property and expand Saga Hill park? <br />Opportunity to create Orono's largest city park - 32.2 acres - at total cost to city of $1500 per <br />acre. <br />Preserv es run-off buffer and protects water quality in Forest Lake. West Ann and Jennings <br />Bay. <br />Affirms council's resolution to acquire open space while land is still available in Orono. <br />Prevents building a Vi mile road through existing park to access property when developed. <br />Responds to 1995 surv'ev of residents, which affiimed interest in activities such as hiking and <br />birdwatching. <br />Prov ides recreational opportunities for residents of crowded “urban” Orono as well as <br />neighboring Minnetrista and Mound. <br />Saga Hill Participants/Contributors <br />• Residents of Orono <br />• DNR <br />• Minnesota Land Trust <br />• Trust for Public Land <br />• Western Hennepin Historical Society <br />• Familv Charitable Foundations