Agenda - Council - 04/14/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Tuesday, April 7 Rhonda and Joe Hong 14757 Krypton Court Ramsey, Minnesota 55303 Dear Community Development Staff, Park and Recreation Commissioners, Mayor and City Council Members: We are writing in regard to the proposed memorial site #1 on the north side of Sunwood Drive at the intersection ofJunkite Street. This letter serves to document concerns we have shared with you previously in the hope that they will be addressed at the Park and Rec meeting on Thursday, April 9` and the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 14 . First we extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of John Luke Crotteau. The loss of a young life is absolutely devastating and the pain cannot be put into words. We know the motivation behind this project comes from the heart and is driven by caring citizens. Twelve years ago my husband and I selected a lot on which to build our home in Ramsey. Prior to our purchase we inquired about the vacant space adjacent to our back property line and were told it was city drainage land and nothing would be developed on it - not a house, not a park - nothing. This is consistent with what our neighbors the Jensen's were told. Location #1 in the memorial park proposal is that vacant space that borders our property. If the proposed .memorial park is built on this site, we will no longer be able to enjoy the use of our property as we have in the past. About six years ago we added an in- ground swimming pool to our back yard. We spend as much time as we can there relaxing after a stressful day and catching up with each other and our busy kids. We gather and celebrate summer with our family and friends. These things are very important to us and essential to our well being. Eight years ago our lives were turned upside down by the unexpected loss of my 25 year old brother, Ron. Just six short months later, my best friend and sister -in -law Cathy lost her courageous fight against breast cancer at age 29. We understand loss and grieving intimately, and the ability to gather as a family in our own back yard is one of the experiences that helped us deal with our own losses, We, our extended family and our friends share the pure joy that is found there on a warm sunny day or a peaceful starry evening. It's a place to be happy, thankful, laugh and live life again. It's a new place that wasn't part of or lives with Ron or Cathy. Building a memorial park on site #1, with the proposed path and benches within 25 feet of our pool, would change the way we currently use our back yard. It is too close for us to put the purpose of a memorial park out of our minds. It would be impossible for us to continue to have fun in our pool area while members of our community gathered to mourn and reflect on their losses just a few feet away.