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Mounds View City Council March 22, 1999
<br />Regular Meeting Page 20
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<br />Mrs. Perkins stated she did not object to the parking lot, and it would be nice if the playground
<br />equipment could remain. She pointed out that her children had played in this park. She advised
<br />however, the area was always wet, and would always be a swamp.
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<br />Mrs. Perkins indicated there was a park in New Brighton, one street over on Red Oak Drive,
<br />which her children also played at, and this park was dry. She stated this park was closer than the
<br />others were, and she had taken the time to walk there with her children, when they were young
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<br />Mike Doran, 5092 Long View Drive, stated his home was located on the corner of Woodcrest
<br />Drive and Longview Road. He stated he has lived in this area for approximately one year, and
<br />the park was one of the reasons they had purchased this property. He stated he has many family
<br />members who enjoy playing volleyball, and they have planned to use the volleyball court. He
<br />indicated he also has younger family members who enjoy using the playground equipment. He
<br />stated with the exception of these areas, the park is generally under water.
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<br />Mr. Doran indicated that people use this park, and let their children play on the slides. He stated
<br />he was not certain what was best for the park, however, he would like the volleyball courts and
<br />playground equipment to remain.
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<br />Jerry Blansky, 2833 Woodale Drive, stated he had not prepared for this discussion, and was not
<br />aware this matter would be coming forward at this time. He indicated this land had originally
<br />belonged to his grandmother. He advised that this was lowland, comprised of cattails and other
<br />vegetation, and full of holes, however, the children enjoyed playing in it. He explained that
<br />when Twelve Oaks, all of which was his grandmother’s property, was developed, his cousins had
<br />taken the property and extended north in one section, and as this property was unbuildable, it was
<br />donated to the City for a park.
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<br />Mr. Blansky stated he would still like to see this land remain a park, however, it has not been
<br />maintained. He explained that it is full of weeds and water holes, and the sand and the timbers
<br />are not taken care of. He stated there has been no fence for the moat, and people are reluctant to
<br />bring their children to the park because of the deep water along Silver Lake Road, and even
<br />along Woodcrest Drive, however, for whatever small reason, he would like to see the park
<br />remain.
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<br />Mr. Blansky suggested an area of this property might be excavated to allow the land to drain. He
<br />pointed out that that when the area south of Random Park was developed, they excavated the
<br />land and drenched it all out to create a nice lake, and built homes around it. He stated he was not
<br />aware if this was possible in this area, however, he would like to have the options researched to
<br />see if they could leave the park. He added that this was not only for sentimental reasons,
<br />however, that was part of it
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<br />Mayor Coughlin stated if this matter is postponed, staff could certainly explore these options as
<br />well.
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<br />David Fitzgerald, 5107 Red Oak Drive, stated his property was adjacent to and overlooking the
<br />park. He indicated in his opinion, a city has no boundaries, as far as children are concerned. He
<br />stated he was aware of the park two blocks south, in the New Brighton area, and in his opinion,
<br />this is a very nice place for children to play.
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