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Organized activities such as Babe Ruth or Little League are recommended to be <br />played on "community playfields", which service an entire community. Community <br />playflelds are recommended to be a minimum of 20 acres , and not to be located in a <br />residential area. Bederwood is 8 acres, but would have to be even further reduced to <br />expand the parking lot in attempt to accomodate safety issues created by crowds <br />attending^artidpating in Little League. <br />The school site avoids duplication of resources and facilities, in addition to <br />complying with » tize and safety guidelines detailed in the aforementioned documents. <br />Assisting the Little League in developing the Orono School site has many additional <br />advantages. OBA would receive community-wide support for implementing their entire <br />dream, including two story concession stand and press box, bleachers, optimal fencing, <br />dugouts, P.A. system, plenty of parking, permanent space, and adequate bathroom <br />facilities, etc. For obvious reasons, these modifications to Bederwood are highly <br />undesirable. <br />We believe the mayor and the City Council can be instrumental in ensuring a "win- <br />win" solution for both needs - an excellent, permanent, and safe Little League site, and an <br />excellent and well-planned Oiono park system. As Orono residents with young children, <br />we are eager to see the school site developed into a conq)rehensive recreational facility. We <br />are also willing to personally assist the park commission and city council in its efforts to <br />update the Park and Open Space Plan in keeping with demographic changes. To rush into <br />making structural changes to Bederwood (dugouts, parking lot expansion, concessions, <br />bleachers) does not seem wise, especially when more desirable options exist <br />We believe Orono residents and our elected officials have the foresight, <br />environmental awareness, and desire to create an Orono Park system that rivals that of <br />Plymouth and Eden Prairie. This includes the establishment of a large recreational facility <br />for structured atheletic activities and the continuous improvement of neighborhood parks <br />for informal usage. We would like to help with both efforts. <br />Sincerely, <br />Stephen and Linda Whitman <br />f!