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3408 Skycroft Drive <br /> St. Anthony, MN 55418 <br /> June 17, 1998 <br /> Michael J. Morrison <br /> City Manager <br /> 3301 Silver Lake Road <br /> St. Anthony, MN 55418 <br /> Dear Mr. Morrison: <br /> I would like to serve on the St. Anthony Village Parks Commission. My reasons and <br /> credentials for seeking this appointment are as follows: Having lived adjacent to Central <br /> Park in St. Anthony Village for 21 years, I have come to deeply appreciate what a great <br /> public resource and asset this and the other two parks are for the community. They provide <br /> extensive opportunities for meeting and getting to know other people in the community. <br /> Much of this social activity centers around youth and adult involvement in school and <br /> Sports Booster sponsored athletics. I have learned as a member of the Park Task Force last <br /> year that demand for baseball and soccer fields is exceeding availability. Also,playground - <br /> requirements for the preschool and school age children programs offered by Community <br /> Services have to be satisfied. Hence the Parks Commission and the city have to carefully <br /> plan for more effective utilization of the limited park space available. <br /> Park design should also consider the need for walking and other non-team outdoor <br /> activities. The latter activities are tremendously enhanced by creative landscaping that <br /> promote the natural beauty of the parks. To quote Frank Lloyd Wright, "If you invest in <br /> . beauty, it will remain with you for the rest of your life." Hence, if we can design our parks <br /> to accommodate a full range of athletic activities and at the same time incorporate <br /> landscaping features that will promote harmony between the park's athletic functions and <br /> outdoor environment,all citizens will.have something to enjoy and and be proud of. <br /> My small contribution so far to beautify the landscape has been the planting of two <br /> Austrian pine trees east of the water pump building at the top of the hill in Central Park. I <br /> run or walk almost every other day in the park and it is visually gratifying to have trees at <br /> various locations in the park. I am also very appreciative of the new tennis courts and the, <br /> effort to save the trees surrounding the courts. For three years I organized and directed the <br /> Village Fest tennis tournament and the trees were a natural gravitational point for the <br /> spectators and players by providing shade, beauty and comfort for everyone. <br /> Not only does my strong interest in the Park Commission stems from a long <br /> involvement in park related activities and observing how the park is used on a daily basis, <br /> but also to my skills as a consensus builder. It was clear to me from my participation on <br /> the Park Task Force that there were strong differences of opinion on park design depending <br /> on whose priorities were under consideration. Establishing common goals and priorities <br /> first and then communicating clearly and honestly the issues and options available would <br /> better facilitate the development of a park system that would inspire pride in everyone in St. <br /> Anthony Village. This process is democratic but requires direction,open dialogue,and <br /> cooperative listening by concerned committee members. I believe as a concerned citizen for <br /> the betterment of the parks with experience on committee dynamics and consensus <br /> building,I could be a useful and valuable member of the Park Commission. <br /> . Sincerely, <br /> 'Pb 7s9- 14cl <br />