Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/09/2009

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/frokodti From; Sandy & Harry Jensen Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:23 PM To: Jeffrey, David; David Jeffrey Cc: 'colin@colinmcglone.com'; 'mlook @ci,ramsey.mn,us'; 'mayorramsey@ci.ramsey.mn.us'; Amber Miller; Mark Riverblood Subject: Proposed Memorial Park Dear David, As we discussed in our phone conversation in late February, our property abuts Site 1 of the proposed Memorial Park at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Junkite Street. Because we are currently residing in Arizona and will not be available to attend the upcoming meetings, we are writing now to go on record with our concerns regarding the building of this memorial at Site 1. We feel Site 1 is not a desirable location for a Memorial Park because of safety issues. People coming to visit the park will have to cross a busy street with no crosswalk. Currently Sunwood Drive handles the traffic between Hwy 47 and the shopping center in Downtown Ramsey and all the local traffic that moves through the area from Nowthen Blvd. Although the speed is posted at 35 mph, a good share of the travelers drive faster then the speed limit allows. Building at this location would needlessly put visitors at risk. We also have concerns about the aesthetics of the park. Who will maintain the park in 10- years when all the money that has been set aside has been spent? Is It logical to believe that those who are proposing the park or the child's parents will remain In the vicinity forever and be faithful to its upkeep? We believe a memorial to the child's life would be more meaningful if the money was used to further safety, or fund a scholarship for a needy child or another more positive cause. Does it make sense for the city to entertain future tax liabilities? Because our property abuts the property of Site 1, we currently enjoy a certain amount of privacy. We enjoy the swamp on the back side and the open area to the south. We are set back from Sunwood Drive and the activity it brings. We feel that a park at that site would disturb our privacy and possibly bring unwelcome visitors to our property. We would need to be more watchful of the activities surrounding us and the possibility of vandalism. We purchased the property 15 years ago because of the privacy. We were told the vacant land was not buildable and that it was set aside for runoff for the wetland. We certainly understand the desire to do something to remember the little boy whose life was lost. But what about the lady involved in this tragic accident. A park at this location would be for her a constant reminder of the life shattering experience she had. She is most certainly doing everything possible to forget the incident yet a park at this location will prevent her from doing so. We cannot make a recommendation as to the best location for the memorial but we are clearly not in support of building It on Site 1. Thanks, Harry and Sandra Jensen 14781 Krypton Ct. NW Ramsey, Mn, 55303 13