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<br />As a family, it is likely that we have, and continue to utilize Valentine Park more than <br />any other in the past fifteen years for sport and recreation. We understand the water <br />issues and limitations because of size. However, this has never stopped us from utilizing <br />the park for appropriate activities that have included skating, baseball, softball, soccer, <br />football, basketball, volleyball, frisbee, yard games and picnics. Having coached multiple <br />sports for the past ten years and understanding field availability issues, I do not have <br />much sympathy for parent -coaches of first through third graders (in any activity) that <br />complain about Valentine Park during conditions that do not include heavy rains which <br />effect all parks. I believe the practice soccer field should return as well as appropriately <br />aged youth baseball. <br /> <br />Understanding the approximate annual cost to provide an ice rink at Valentine Park, I <br />suggest that Arden Hills consider the following minimal park improvements in lieu of the <br />annual ice rink expenditure: <br /> <br />Construct a roof-top only pavilion above the existing concrete slab formerly <br />occupied by the warming house which would include picnic table seating and <br />provide cover for park-users, walkers, runners and bikers. <br /> <br />Enclose the portable toilet on three sides with a permanent attractive material <br />compatible with a new pavilion, and place in a more discreet location. The <br />enclosure will also limit annual tipping by flooding and vandals. <br /> <br />Provide enclosures for trash barrels for better appearance and to limit tipping by <br />vandals. <br /> <br />Remove the basketball standard, backboard and rim and place in a location that <br />does not provide the current left-to-right slope. First-time users of the current <br />location never return because ofthe poor location planning duriug the last park <br />improvements. <br /> <br />If necessary, shrink the practice use soccer field away from left and center fields <br />(northwest) that are the cause of water complaints. <br /> <br />Thank you for taking the time to review this letter and please contact me if you have any <br />questious. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />)6df <br /> <br />Bill Dillon <br />1661 Glenview Court <br />Arden Hills, MN 55112 <br />651-635-0353 <br />