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7A PARKS AND RECREATION Brauer and Associates, Park Analysts, hired by the Council in 1970, said they found the total park area in Mounds View fell considerably below recommended standards of twenty acres of parkland per 1,000 people. It was indicated the undeveloped area south of Highway 10, bounded by Long Lake Road, County Road H2, and Silver Lake Road, would function favorably as a community center in closing the gap of parks south of Highway 10, as well as offer a park center. The Brauer report said Mounds View parks lacked two of five objectives: 1) cultural aspect, and 2) ornamentation or beautification additions. Specific recommendations were: 1) acquisition of 30-40 acres at the old Johnson farm, south of Highway 10 in the County Road H2 area, for a community type park where better flexibility and programming could be offered, 2) acquisition of the Moga property at Rice Creek, "a great opportunity for a wild life interpretation center", and 3) a pedestrian easement connecting the City from the area of the proposed new Highway 10. Under the plan, the property north of the future Highway 10 is included in the open space reserve which would help fill park needs for the future. It was pointed out that in order to become eligible for federal park funds, a cost estimate, plan, and analysis had to be worked out. A bond issue was narrowly defeated in 1971. Funds were to have been used for land acquisition and park development. Lakeside Park A private non-profit corporation, Park Playgrounds, Inc. owned the land on the north end of Spring Lake. The Board voted to sell the eleven acres to any local village that bordered the lake. The main condition of the sale was that a satisfactory recreation program be continued. The group had developed the land by improving a beach area, constructing a bath house and washrooms, a lighted ball field, and a large parking area was laid out. Funds to purchase the land came from private donations and money raising projects, Red Feather (now the United Fund), and the Villages of Mounds View and Spring Lake Park. Raising money became difficult on a voluntary basis so the group felt it necessary to pass the burden on to a governmental unit as long as the program was continued. Cost to purchase the land was to be less than $2,000, which represented the indebtedness of the Corporation. In 1958, the Board of Directors was authorized to sell Lakeside Park to the Villages of Mounds View and Spring Lake Park. A question rose to the legality of purchasing land in another county. The issue was tabled until the attorney determined the ordinance was legal. Ordinance 60 was adopted February 2, 1959, which reads, "Directs the execution of an agreement between the Villages of Mounds View and Spring Lake Park for the acquisition of Lakeside Park and for the joint maintenance of said site for park, playground, and recreational use by such Villages and setting out the terms of such agreement." Each Village contributed 50% of the cost of acquisition. If either Village ceases to maintain the property, it will revert back to Park Playground, Inc. The program and cost has grown at the park and in 1976 a contribution of $9,500 came from each of the two communities and the balance of the budget came from fees and concessions.