Star Tribune: Act Now To Keep Parks Vital For Next Summer
Letter to the Editor
Act now to keep parks vital for next summer
Last Wednesday evening the proposed 2005 budget was presented at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. If you happened to miss the broadcast on cable you should know that the interim superintendent has suggested a cost savings of $85,000 by reducing the summer playgrounds by 50 percent.
On the map shown, the majority (all but one) of the parks to lose services are located in North, Central and Northeast Minneapolis. At High-View park near my home in northeast Minneapolis, the two young people (Maya and Emily in 2004, Ben and Ciara 2003l) who spend their summer leading our neighborhood children in games, refereeing differences, keeping an eye on the unsupervised at the wading pools, and acting as chaperones for field trips are priceless.
Since Commissioner John Erwin mentioned that the Neiman Sports complex needs to be subsidized by almost the same amount every year I would suggest that maybe they aren't looking in the right places for their cuts.
On Wednesday, Nov. 10, the Park Board will be seeking public comment on this budget. Their address is 2117 West River Road, just north of the Broadway Avenue bridge; there is have ample parking. I will be there by 5:30, all signed in and ready to speak my piece. If you cannot attend feel free to call the Park Board at 612-230-6400.
The kids deserve a safe and friendly place to spend their summers within walking distance of their homes and the board, all of whom are up for reelection in 2005, need to know this.
Liz Wielinski, Minneapolis.