One Step Closer to a Master Plan for Theodore Wirth

Tuesday night's Wirth Park Citizens Advisory Committee ('CAC') meeting was by far the most constructive one we've had in a long time.  Thank you to those of you who could attend.  I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but as things developed, the CAC was allowed to make some directives on items from last week design charette that will appear (or not appear) on a working concept plan for This does not mean they will be part of the approved final plan, but it's a solid starting point, and it will give us something good with which to work.  Here's a brief recap -- my take.  

North Wirth.  For the most part we were unable to discuss the golf area of Wirth.  I believe that will be taken up in another CAC meeting next Tuesday evening (11/15).  However, the CAC did approve a directive for including multi-use (biking, hiking, running, etc.) event trails in north Wirth that can coexist with the 18-hole and par-3 golf courses.  That could potentially open up this area of the park for more users and more user groups.

Park maintenance facilities.  The CAC approved a directive for a new maintenance facility somewhere in the area of the 18th hole of the main golf course and a possible remote storage facility in the SE quad of Hwy. 55 and Wirth Parkway (the northwest corner of Wirth Lake).  The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board ('MPRB') is pushing for the location of this remote storage facility.  We were told it would be roughly 60' by 120', but have obviously not seen it on the concept plan.  I detected plenty of resistance to this idea not only from some Golden Valley residents but from some of the Bryn Mawr and Harrison CAC members as well.  As stated, it's not a done deal, and we'll work on it.

South Wirth.  The CAC agreed with the directive to reduce the amount of trails here and provide for designated walking and hiking trails.  This includes a couple of trail loops and a pedestrian bridge over the parkway by the Quaking Bog parking lot.  It also includes a pedestrian and biking trail along the 394 soundwall connecting the North Tyrol neighborhood to the parkway in the east (one CAC member quipped about this proposal "Are they [Golden Valley residents] going to pay for it?"). 

In addition, the CAC also approved a directive for northbound and southbound off-road cycling corridor trails on the eastern side of the Quaking Bog area, closer to the parkway.  This last issue has been tricky for me, and I tried to condition a vote against it.  It has both proponents and opponents amongst Golden Valley residents.  What is proposed is by and large a compromise.  My sense is that regardless of how I eventually side on the matter, the rest of the CAC will approve this compromise, making my vote irrelevant, as it was Tuesday night. 

Dog Park.  The CAC approved a directive to include an off-leash dog park in the area of and shared with the Humane Society.  Finally.  It would be connected somehow to the parkway in the east, making it more accessible to people coing from Minneapolis or along the parkway.  My strong sense is that this location will have strong final approval from the CAC.

Twin Lake.  The CAC approved a directive to "Rehabilitate Twin Lake area as a natural shoreline with improved walking access."  The way this directive was originally presented to the CAC was to include consideration of an authorized beach.  Based on feedback I received from Golden Valley residents I asked that an authorized beach be removed from consideration.  The rest of the CAC agreed, since there has never really been any support for such a beach anyway.

Finally, a personal note about Tuesday night.  I had the privilege of being appointed by and working with Mayor Loomis on Wirth Park over the past 2 years.  Throughout this sometimes arduous and acrimonious process she has been supportive and actively involved.  I originally and naively got involved simply in the interest of protecting the ski trails around Wirth Lake.  That role clearly evolved for the better under Mayor Loomis' guidance.  She has made sure that other Golden Valley interests in an MPRB park are attended to to the best of our abilities -- and that includes long before this CAC even began. 

So it is not without some sadness that I received the election results last night.  But, that's democracy at work, and Golden Valley has spoken.  I am hopeful this CAC process of improving Wirth Park will finally wind up before she is set to leave office.  I think that would be a fitting event to end her years as mayor, during which she always worked hard to improve our community.  She will be missed.