Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 09/20/2001

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llne second reason we are against this being built has to do with the City. or Ramsey's Solstice Park. (On the plans, the park is in the top lef~ corner.) The dark line represents the sidewalk to the park from our neig_hborhood. It is a small park, but there is a small area to throw a football, play soRball, etc. Building a road beh{nd this park will also surround this park with roads from both sides. · That will si~lcantly decrease the ability for safe play ~br kids in the park area. Lord of Life (Bob I-Iutchison) has told us that there are no plans for a fence because a fence would require maintenance. OUR CONCERNS Currently, there is a stand of mostly Red Pine trees (Norway Pine) that serves as a buffer between our house and the church property. A few of these trees lie on our side of the property 1/ne, the rest lie on Lord of Life's side of the property line. While not a noise barrier, they are a visible barrier to the ever-Lncreasing busyness on the church property. Lord of Life plans to be a major hub of activity for this entire Anoka- Ramsey area, and those few trees are the only things separating us from them. We would like to preserve our single-family neighborhood atmosphere as much as possible. From looking at the plans, it appears that the new road will be placed where the current stand of trees is. (.See ~..cture-.1) (We spoke with Bob Hutch/son from Lord of Life about the placement of the road, but he was unwill/~..g to come and show us where they plan on put~hng, the.road.) In speaking with him~ he indicated that they would prefer to .have shrubs planted there as a bart/er instead of the trees. He stated that the trees are dying, that they aren't droug__.ht resistant, and.are prone to insect infestation. (Conversation between Bob Hdtchison and Jim Hanson, July 31, 2001 .) I am including pictures I've taken and information that proves this stand of trees to be healthy, hearty, and long-lived. 9 If trees are taken down, the process of doing this could damage, and therefore kill the trees on our property. ~.~-'he trees along th/s property 1/ne are entwined together. How will it affefit the trees on our property when roots are pulled out? (g.~? picture 2)~'~here are a couple of small, dead pines on Lord of Life's property by their main parking lot. Perhaps these were damaged when makJ_ng way for their parking lot?