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7 Summer 2014 Improvements in Store for Sanctuary, Pebble Park The Lake Elmo Park Commission’s primary goal in 2014 is to make im- provements to several of the City’s parks. The commission conducted audit of the parks last fall to determine which parks could benefit the most from added enhancements. The first park that will be experience a face-lift will be Pebble Park. The park, located in the Tri-Lakes area off of In- wood Avenue at Lake Jane Trail, is one of Lake Elmo’s largest community parks. The first phase of improvement includes the addition of several new pieces of play equipment, refreshed landscaping, and a small picnic shel- ter. Second-phase improvements cur- rently under consideration include a double volleyball court, full-sized bas- ketball court, permanent restroom, and paving and striping the parking lot. “Pebble Park is one of our most fre- quently used parks,” stated Shane Weis, park commission chair. “Adding these amenities will significantly im- prove the appearance and functional- ity of the park.” The second project on the Park Com- mission’s list is developing the park space in the Sanctuary Park neigh- borhood. Residents from the neigh- borhood addressed the commission in spring of 2013 requesting that play equipment be added to the develop- ment’s designated park space in or- der to meet the needs of the growing number of young families and children in the area. The commission is cur- rently working on a plan to implement a play structure by fall of 2014, with long-term plans to expand the park with the development of the adjoining property. All of the park improvements are be- ing paid for by parkland dedication fees that have been acquired through new development. Have you been to the library lately? The new children’s room opened for use just in time for the summer. A busy team of volunteers and library staff transformed a former office suite into an open, colorful, and welcoming space for the young- est library users. Collections of books for babies through grade school readers, DVDs, and audiobooks are arranged on child-size shelves and on colorful book displays. Inviting furniture in primary colors provides seating for quiet reading and program activities. A bright alphabet rug helps to define the picture book area. The Lake Elmo Public Library is offering a Summer Read- ing Program again this year for children of many ages, from lap-sitting babies through junior high school students. This year’s theme is Read S’More Books. Weekly programs, held on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in the library, include the 3M Visiting Wizards’ magnet program, library mini-golf, movies, and the Kids Who Read ‘R’ Cool Magic Show. The complete schedule can be found on the li- brary website, http://lakeelmopubliclibrary.org. The summer reading program is partially funded by a gift from the Lake Elmo Jaycees. Families with infants through pre-school aged children are invited to sign up for the 1,000 Books before Kindergarten challenge. This early literacy program is funded by a grant from the Stillwater Elks Lodge 179. Regular public service hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 10 to 5, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 to 8, Fridays and Sat- urdays 10 to 2. Library services, including the online cata- log, e-books, and other online resources, are available 24/7 at http://lakeelmopubliclibrary.org. Lake Elmo Public Library Opens New Children’s Room The Lake Elmo Library’s new children’s room is a popular place for young readers. A Zipkrooz, pictured above, is one of the new features that residents will soon be able to enjoy in Pebble Park, as part of the Park Commission’s 2014 park improvement plan.