03/29/2000 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Exhibit B • To: The Mounds View Parks & Recreation Commission cc: His Honor, The Mayor City Council members I propose that the newly paved path around Silver View Lake in Mounds View be designated a "walking only" path. This letter is to make you aware of a potentially dangerous situation in Mounds View. Late Last summer, a path was paved around Silver View Lake. This had been a walking path since I moved into the community over ten years ago. I was one of the people who spoke FOR the paving at the Park & Rec meeting to discuss such a possibility and was delighted with the support the plan had. But in reality, I feel we created a monster. Gone are the carefree walks I used to take. Once the paving was completed, the path became overrun with bikers and skaters, moving at dangerous speeds to walkers. Aside from the speed—bikers especially travel quietly—it can be quite a shock to see a bike shoot past without any warning. Just recently I heard a biker when he was almost upon me and • didn't even have a chance to look back. Luckily, I swiftly stepped to one side—if I had moved to the other, I would have been hit. Under these conditions, walking around the lake has gone from an easy- going, enjoyable exercise and visit with nature, to a stress-filled experience. In addition, there are three other things to consider: • Several blind spots along the path make it difficult to see what's ahead • Children play along the path • There is a playground very close to the path (2 to 3 feet) Am I concerned? As you can see, yes, I am. Rightfully so, I think, because I know it's a very real danger; I had a business associate who was killed by a bike as she walked around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis. I hope you agree that we need to keep this path safe for walkers just as it has been for over ten years. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth A. Nelson Mounds View Resident