Consider benefits of parks
Commentary by
Phil Young, EP Council Member
Eden Prairie News, October 6, 2005
Voters in November's general election will be asked to make important decisions
about the future of Eden Prairie's park and recreation system. I sat down
this past weekend to consider the referendum and the many ways in which
my family has enjoyed the broad range of amenities planned for by past city
leaders.
Last Sunday (Oct. 2), my wife finished her first Twin Cities marathon.
(Way to go, Mona!) She trained on the paths and trails of Eden Prairie.
Our sons Konrad (9) and Patrick (6) have taken swimming and skating lessons
at the Community Center. They both play soccer at Flying Cloud fields.
They spend summers at park programs throughout the city.
Our sons Ian (3) and Riley (almost 2) know every playground in town.
They go for almost daily walks on the path along Edenvale Boulevard.
All of our sons love Birch Island Woods and the Richard T. Anderson Conservation
Area. Their imaginations go wild as they run down the paths and up the
hills.
Our family is like many others in town. We chose to move to Eden Prairie
seven years ago largely because of its unparalleled park system. The same
decision we made has been duplicated by thousands of others. Collectively,
these decisions are important because they make Eden Prairie a desirable
home town and sustain our property values.
Yet, many of Eden Prairie's amenities were built decades ago and are
in need of renovation. Others, like the trail system, have been in a state
of almost-completion for far too long.
The referendum will permit voters to guide the future of our fine city's
park and recreation system. Voters will be presented with four questions,
each of which addresses a different form of capital improvement. Certain
of the options are time-critical and may not present themselves to the
city again.
When you vote in November, please consider the many ways in which you,
your friends and your family have benefited from our park system.
Mr. Young can be contacted at pyoung@edenprairie.org
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