Theodore Wirth Park's Future Is In Your Hands
The following article by Mary Costello was published in today's Golden Valley Patch:
Theodore Wirth Park's Future is in Your Hands
Over the last several months, there have been plenty of changes at Theodore Wirth Park in Golden Valley, and because of the May 22 tornado, not all of them have been welcome. But now there's a chance to make more than $5 million in improvements, and the Park Board wants your input.
Thanks to more than $2 million from the Met Council and more than $2.6 million from the Park and Trails funding over the last two years, several improvements have already taken place at Theo Wirth.
But the process was put on hold over the summer. The May 22 tornado uprooted dozens of huge trees and destroyed Wirth Lake's boardwalk. But since then most trails have been cleared and there's a new boardwalk in place, which makes it possible to walk all the way around it for the first time.
So what's next for the park? That's where you come in.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will have design meetings (called "charettes") tonight, Thursday and Saturday at the park. It's a chance for the public to meet with the citizen advisory committee and a professional design team to discuss a master plan for the park.
Theo Wirth falls under the park board's juristiction, but Golden Valley does have one representative on the citizen advisory committee (CAC), Damon Struyk, who blogs for Golden Valley Patch about being that representative and about being an avid user of the park.
"Part of the reason for the charrette is because the Park Board felt like it lost some trust from people in Golden Valley," he said. "While I think they've done a great job, it might not be perceived that way."
That's why Struyk says this week's meetings are a nice gesture.
"People do need to realize that (the Park Board) doesn't technically have to invite Golden Valley to the table at all," he said.
Struyk said the CAC was originally created to discuss ways to improve the area around Wirth Lake and to the south, so most of the CAC members live in Minneapolis—specifically in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood. But the group has been asked to start giving the Park Board input about what to do with the area of the park north of Highway 55, and Struyk said many Golden Valley residents feel they haven't had a big enough voice.
He pointed to several examples of how decisions were made, caused a commotion, and were then tabled.
"Look at the proposed changes to the Par 3 course," he said. "That's still creating a lot of discussion, and I'm hoping people who have an interest in what happens will go to these design meetings."
Last December, the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation proposed using the area where the Par 3 golf course is for cross country skiing. Par 3 course users were upset, and so far, there's been no decision on what to do with the northern end of the park.
Struyk said many people have been asking for a dog park in Theo Wirth, and one proposed site is located adjacent to the Humane Society property.
"I've got a letter from the Humane Society saying they're totally in favor of a dog park at that location," Struyk said. "Everybody's asking why we can't get this thing done."
While Struyk said he understands why there's frustration, he also understands there are a lot of people to please.
"You've got golfers, hikers, walkers and bird watchers," he said. "And those people aren't necessarily the same people who snowboard, ski or go mountain biking. It's a varied terrain park with varied interests, and it takes time to address them all."
Beginning tonight, you'll have that chance to see what's in store for the variety of park users. And more importantly, you'll get to add your voice to the mix.
"All your questions might not get answered and your ideas might not get implemented, but at least you'll have a chance to speak up," Struyk said.
According to the city of Golden Valley's website, here is how the Park Board has planned the charette:
• Community Meeting: 6 to 9 p.m. tonight, Wirth Chalet, 2nd Floor. The CAC, design team, and community members will share and discuss key information about the park.
• Open Studio: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov 3, Wirth Chalet, 2nd Floor. The design team will be working in the chalet throughout the day to develop concepts. Stop by the chalet to see concept ideas in progress and visit with the designers.
• Community Open House: 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov 5, Par 3 Golf Clubhouse. Review and comment on the design concepts.
The CAC recommendations will be presented at the Minneapolis Park Board meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the Board Room at Park Board Headquarters, 2117 West River Road. An opportunity for public comment will be provided at 8:10 p.m.