From: "Steve Nelson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
now Me
I have to agree with you, Lisa. Starting back in the '80s when the Park
Board decided to get out of the tree growing business and buy them from
Bachman's. Then they shut down their nursery and with it the summer jobs
that they provided for city kids. More recently is the business of the
concession stands that the Board feels they are somehow incapable of
managing so we have to bring in outside managers or even a franchise if they
can get by with it.
I always wonder why the park board can't go back into the nursery business. Imagine plant sales jobs, learning exhibits, etc. If they went back into maintaining the parks themselves instead of lining the pockets of contractors our parks might be in better shape than they currently are. The 80s were a bad time for Minneapolis, we lost countless historic buildings (many schools too), bridges, and of course the greenhouses. I assume now that since all of the infrastructure has been demo'd, it would be too expensive to rebuild again. I would prefer all work be done 'in house'.
Someone pointed out to me the inconsistency of work done in the parks. They attributed this to having a different contractor for each and every project that goes on. Does the park board still mow its own grass, plant its own trees and paint its own buildings?- or have those jobs been 'contracted' out too. Let's be realistic, instead of making profits for others, shouldn't the parks reinvest in themselves?
Also-
Speaking of the Gross Golf Course learning center, I watched the work progress this winter and I must say I am disappointed. A garage/concession building was built and it looks terrible. It is a plain old shed covered in blue vinyl siding. I hope they are plans to tie it in to course site more like the building at the Columbia Gold Course training center. I don't pay taxes to watch them build a Menards grade shed.
* Where's the quality? * It seems to have been lost in everything the park board does (unless you live in the lakes district where beauty is included in you parks package).
-I can't really tie there thoughts together, but:
What happened to the Loring Cascade in Wirth Park? It is abandoned and deteriorating rapidly.
*picture- http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=81037&Page=2&Keywords=loring%20cascade&SearchType=Basic
What is to become of the Windom Park Field House? It was sort of mothballed back in 1996(?) when the facilities were moved to the new Pillsbury Elementary.
*I would love to see it remodeled to resemble this old beaut- http://collections.mnhs.org/visualresources/image.cfm?imageid=81195&Page=3&Digital=Yes&Keywords=nicollet%20field&SearchType=Basic
Are the original plans for parks ever considered when they are refurbished?
Ooh, and one more thing-
Mr. Plante, I would recommend picking up a bag of quick set mortar or construction adhesive (caulk gun kind) to secure those blocks. Although it is a 'dry joint wall', you can adhere the top row. It's actually recommended by contractors I have worked with. While you're at it, plant some low-maintinance shrub roses along the edge, that kept kids from sitting on my neighbors wall.
Sean Ryan Audubon
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