Fw: [Mpls] Nicollett Islands' regional park -The Williamsburg of Mpls

[Christine Viken]

>
Joan  Berthiaume replied to Ron Werner's post:

 I have to agree with you - the park property behind the school on Nicollet
>> Island "appears" neglected.

To that I add:
I don't have specifics, but I know that area was very recently planted with 
a number of young trees as part of a Universityexperiemental project. 
Perhaps one of the Island residents could fill in info. on that.

Joan continues:
> I imagine the open space was left as  to be the transition between the
>> very active school environment and the interpretive park.  That property 
>> might work better with further light park development such as 
>> interpretive information announcing the park and explaining the 
>> designated historic period  of early Minneapolis History  (1864-1898) 
>> that is represented within the park.

I'd second Joan's suggestion if it could be coordinated with the above 
University plans. I know many people want more information about the 
historic homes they're seeing. The narrated tours are nice, but not always 
an option.

Joan continued:
>> (As) a CAC member, Theodore J Wirth offered his best professional advice: 
>> DeLaSalle's field deserved a better location where all student needs 
>> could be accommodated with an abundance of room and an outstanding 
>> design. (This would not be different from Southwest and North High 
>> Schools whose stadium is not in their back yards.)

De LaSalle's insistence that their athletes couldn't be expected to walk 
even the couple of blocks to alternate sites within blocks has always 
puzzled me.

De LaSalle's attorney has always defended against any suggestion that 
optional locations be considered with an admonishment to the effect that, if 
DeLaSalle were planning a science lab, no one would suggest it be located 
somewhere else. He's ignoring the fact that ALL building proposals are 
reviewed by the city. A review of city standards may mean a plan is 
rejected, and the property owner may, indeed, be told to find another spot 
to locate their science lab, garage or fence.

I'd really like to hear an explanation of why other options are rejected 
out-of-hand -- something a little more detailed than De LaSalle's planner 
explaining that "it is the intent" of De LaSalle to have a stadium site 
directly adjacent to the school.

As it is now, it remains a puzzlement.

Christine Viken
Stevens Square/Loring Heights

P. S. Ordinary people living in historic homes are incorporated in 
Williamsburg, along with the interpreted buildings. It's truly a "lived-in" 
living museum.