Wizard Marks writes: "Several park boards and other public entities, have never guarded Nicollet Island as park space. It's a joke to pretend that the island is a park.
"I would feel much better about the park reformers if I had heard them point out how little park there truly is on Nicollet Island and what a shame it is that an historic regional park is treated so shabbily." Bill Kahn responds: Parks is as parks does, i.e., I sure consider the whole island as a park. I like to cross the footbridge from Boom Island and walk the trail facing the east bank of the river and back, either on the downtown side looking at some of the oldest houses in Minneapolis or the east bank in Nordeast. I hope I can still do so as enjoyably when this stadium nonsense is through. It is true that I can't rampage through the residential leased property, but when MPRB owns and maintains the paths and pocket parks on both parts of the island surrounding DeLaSalle, it is hard to say the island is not a park. I wish more of it was wild, but considering the history of the place, I think it is a darn nice park that will be tarnished when a football stadium with 24' high bleachers and high intensity lighting on four high poles are put in. If I want help to imagine a wilder Nicollet Island, I can walk 'round Pike Island and pretend there is a waterfall downstream. Wizard cont'd: "If Nicollet Island is a public, regional park, then there are real questions about DLS, the houses, Nicollet Island Inn, the railroad tracks still in use, and whatever is in the old creamery on the downstream end of the island." Bill Kahn again: The MPRB web page describing Nicollette Island Park describes "whatever is in the old creamery on the downstream end of the island" as "the Nicollet Island Pavilion, built in 1893 originally as the William Bros Boiler Works," although I will take Wizard's word that it was a creamery at one point because I don't really know. As for DLS, NII, & the RR, from a heritage perspective I don't see any conflict these entities pose against the island being considered a park; .......if there is a conflict, I think next year's Park Board should consider getting rid of that blasted Theodore Wirth house, too. With nothing better to do with my time in Prospect Park, Bill Kahn 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
