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i Since 1977 our park has been enjoyed by all residents of Lake Elmo via the existing access site on Demontreville Road (1/2 block from the above mentioned site) as well as a second access site on Hytrail Ave. Both provide appropriate entrance to a wonderful wildlife area. Please let it be known that access to the park for the last 13 years via these sites as well as casual access up and down our street has not caused complaint or hardship, nor calls to the park board or sheriff"s department. FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR VACATION OF THE EXISTING EASEMENT: 1. Available funds for park use could be better spent. The expense of creating a fenced and graveled walkway per specification, plus the ongoing maintenance costs isn't justified by the need for a third access site. Available funds could be spent on defining the perimeter of the park, existing entrance and path improvement, etc, etc. 2. The lots along the north side of Highlands Trail were never originally plotted to allow for an 8 ft. park walkway access easement; none of the lots were allowed the buffer required for such an easement. The access easement was granted after development had begun in the neighborhood, with most homes already in place. The easement was also granted without consulting the current residents at that time. 3. Currently the proposed site is an easement only. To become a park access it must be fenced and a gravel bed installed. A Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions filed on this property prevents the erection of fences. Other restrictions also apply. 4. A fenced and graveled (possibly blacktopped for easier maintenance) walkway will breakup the continuity and openness of our neighborhood, a prime reason for moving into this area in the first place. We are not a community that puts up fences; there are currently no fences in our area. We also wish to halt encroaching urbanism and maintain our open rural setting. A fenced and paved walkway is a very inappropriate addition to this end! 5. Current objections to the vacation of this easement by present and future users of the park will be resolved with the improvements planned for the two existing access sites.