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April 28, 2004 <br />Ivlr. Jim Morelan <br />Little Canada City Hall <br />515 Little Canada Road East <br />Little Canada, MN 55117 <br />Dear Mr. Morelan, <br />I am writing in regards to the decision that was made by Che Little Canada Park and Recreation <br />Commission on April 1, 2004 concerning the Hidden Acres Development. <br />According to meeting minutes posted on the Little Canada Website, i[ was decided that "thet'e was no <br />need for parkland in this area" and the Commission decided to take the pork charge from the <br />developer of the property instead of the land that is part of the Little Canada city policy. It is my hope <br />that the Park and Recreation Commission would re-consider this decision and instead ask the <br />developer for the land. <br />When my family moved to 160 Yorkton Ridge 1'/z years ago, I noticed that there were no parks of <br />any type in our neighborhood. In fact, the only Little Canada parks are on the east side of 35E. While <br />it is noC that far from a distance perspective, it is a hazardous walk to geC from our neighborhood to <br />.Spooner Park. As I got to know my neighbors, it became clear that this was a common concern <br />among many of us. <br />It was recently brought to our attenflon Chat there is a park being built on Jackson just North of Little <br />Canada Roadbut it is also hazardous to get to that park from our area as well It involves h~aveling <br />- along Country Drive which I am sure you are aware is a very busy street. <br />.I have talked to many of my neighbors and there is very strong interest in having a park as part of the <br />'new development. Attached you wilt find a petition signed by numerous residents of Yorkton Ridge, <br />ConditSueet, and Burke Lane. Not only would we all benefit from it, buC so would the residents of <br />[he nearby apartment building as well as the new residents [hat will move into the neighborhood. As <br />'you explained in our conversation several weeks ago, it would not be a very large park but, from what <br />I have heard from my neighbors, a small playset and some open area for kids to play catch would be <br />great. Another option fhat has gotten some interest is to develop a [rail that would connect to the <br />existing frail that is along Che St. Paul Water Utility. IC would require a bridge over the creek to get to <br />but it would then give us a convenient access to the park on Jackson. <br />Everyone realizes that the City is on a tight budget and, while it would be great to have both, it just <br />simply may not be feasible. If that is the case it would be great to have whichever option would <br />work. <br />I know that you currently do not have a park for our neighborhood in your long-range plan. However, <br />with most of our neighborhood now being developed, there are becoming fewer options for a place to <br />put one in. Please reverse your previous decision with regards to the Hidden Acres Development and <br />ask Che builder to seC aside space for a park and/or trail to the current trail along the waterway. <br />Best regards, <br />LO r1 ~'~ <br />Tony Mans <br />160 Yorkton Ridge <br />(651) 774-1070 <br />