Laserfiche WebLink
s � <br /> 3 <br /> August 16, 1988 <br /> Arden Hills Parks Board Members <br /> A <br /> i.. <br /> r . <br /> I\can't attend your August 23 meeting, so I am writing to express my feelings <br /> about blacktopping the pathiq.a-vs in the rre-eau Mature Preserve. <br /> The Arden Hills City Council, in 1983, unanimously designated this park as the <br /> "Crepeau Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary". The intent of this action was <br /> to set aside an area for those who appreciate a natural, undisturbed area to <br /> observe wild flowers, trees, birds and in some instances, even insects and <br /> butterflies. <br /> Those who enjoy this type of environment certainly don't object to natural <br /> pathways. Usually they wear hiking boots and appropriate attire for this type <br /> of landscape. This has been demonstrated by the Roseville Bird Club and the <br /> Roseville Wild Flower Club who tour the nature preserve at least twice a year. <br /> Many of these club members are in their 70's and 801s. (Some nature hikes in <br /> other preserves require the use of high rubber boots and even hip boots. <br /> Nature lovers, bird watchers and wild flower enthusiasts actually enjoy this <br /> type of activity. ) <br /> Granted, the majority of people in Arden Hills probably enjoy walking on hard <br /> surfaced paths and don't really care if a particular area is designated as a <br /> nature preserve. It appears that MSI has accommodated this majority. But <br /> does it make sense to blacktop paths in the nature preserve for the sake of <br /> linking MSI paths to an adjoining neighborhood? Those who enjoy walking and <br /> biking on hard surfaced paths are certainly welcome to go to the MSI property <br /> and use their pathways : It appears their need has been fulfilled. <br /> Has there been a large number of calls to Village Hall requesting the pathways <br /> in the nature preserve be blacktopped? I've casually interviewed everyone <br /> I've met there over the past five years. The response has unanimously been, <br /> when asked what they would like to see in the nature preserve, "leave it the <br /> way it is!" When I,mentioned blacktopped paths to one long-time resident, she <br /> replied, "Over my dead body!" Is is possible that we are being pressured by a <br /> very vocal minority? <br /> • <br />