[MPLS] Lasallians in the news

[WJKAHN at aol.com]

Wizard Marks writes:

"Several park boards and other public entities, have never 
guarded Nicollet Island as park space. It's a joke to pretend that the 
island is a park.

"I would feel much better about the park reformers if I had heard them 
point out how little park there truly is on Nicollet Island and what a 
shame it is that an historic regional park is treated so shabbily."

Bill Kahn responds:

Parks is as parks does, i.e., I sure consider the whole island as a park. I 
like to cross the footbridge from Boom Island and walk the trail facing the 
east bank of the river and back, either on the downtown side looking at some of 
the oldest houses in Minneapolis or the east bank in Nordeast. I hope I can 
still do so as enjoyably when this stadium nonsense is through. It is true that I 
can't rampage through the residential leased property, but when MPRB owns and 
maintains the paths and pocket parks on both parts of the island surrounding 
DeLaSalle, it is hard to say the island is not a park. I wish more of it was 
wild, but considering the history of the place, I think it is a darn nice park 
that will be tarnished when a football stadium with 24' high bleachers and 
high intensity lighting on four high poles are put in.

If I want help to imagine a wilder Nicollet Island, I can walk 'round Pike 
Island and pretend there is a waterfall downstream.

Wizard cont'd:

"If Nicollet Island is a public, regional park, then there are real 
questions about DLS, the houses, Nicollet Island Inn, the railroad 
tracks still in use, and whatever is in the old creamery on the 
downstream end of the island."

Bill Kahn again:

The MPRB web page describing Nicollette Island Park describes "whatever is in 
the old creamery on the downstream end of the island" as "the Nicollet Island 
Pavilion, built in 1893 originally as the William Bros Boiler Works," 
although I will take Wizard's word that it was a creamery at one point because I 
don't really know. As for DLS, NII, & the RR, from a heritage perspective I don't 
see any conflict these entities pose against the island being considered a 
park; .......if there is a conflict, I think next year's Park Board should 
consider getting rid of that blasted Theodore Wirth house, too.

With nothing better to do with my time in Prospect Park,

Bill Kahn