As city-wide park commissioner Annie Young wrote: I have my grandson for > a couple of weeks and guess what we do almost every day - > go to a different park - talk about the great > equipment we have been putting in the last few years.
> He loves it, so with over 60 tot lots and playgrounds seems > that is at least two months of activities - just visiting > each park and see if you can find all 178 pieces of parkland > if you need something else to do and visit, Michael Atherton wrote: I and others suggest that indoor > parks and play areas are something that the Park Board should > consider and the wise and reasoned suggestion is that we could > visit all 178 existing pieces of parkland in the city. Gosh, > why didn't I think of that before? The first reason might be > because it's been winter and those 178 pieces of parkland > have been covered with snow. We say, Although spring is here, remember next winter Minneapolitans choose to live in the theater of the seasons. So, it is hard to understand why children could be stuck inside just because it is winter (or any other season). Minneapolis is noted internationally for having one of the most well planned park and recreation systems in America. Most of our homes are within are within walking distance of our park system which was designed and developed with the intention of four season use. Kids spend too much time indoors or on busses or in cars. On a cold day remember, FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE IS GOOD FOR YOUR KIDS! Bundle them up and take them for a winter walk through the parks. Teach them about the wildlife in the beautiful natural settings that were set aside and protected for public use (especially for children) by visionary leaders nearly 100 years ago. Take them sledding or tubing on some of our many outstanding sledding hills such as Wirth Park, Columbia Park or Lyndale Farmstead. The skating rinks all over town can be a good choice. And, children seldom get bored with playground equipment on the 60 well distributed tot lots.. If children need to be inside, check out the Art Institute or the many children's activity programs that are available at the community centers in our well distributed and convenient neighborhood parks. If there are not enough programs to satisfy your wants or needs, offer to volunteer or call your park commissioner and encourage him/her to focus on expanding the activity and recreation programs in our park community centers. Although adding indoor parks may be a good idea for future development, there are many healthy activities available in every park district to keep little people busy and active in all four seasons and many of those won't cost you a cent. As City Wide Park Commissioner Annie Young said, "you paid for it." . So, we remind you, it all belongs to YOU and the opportunities for healthy recreation are endless. Enjoy your parks! Joan Berthiaume and Ted Wirth Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
