10.5. PRSR 02 12 2003 "We want to know other /
JANUARY 26, 2003 N 6B people would like to do with
(the park),"said county plan-
ner Kurt Chatfield.
Although the county hasn't
decided whether to form a citi-
DAKOTA COUNTY zen task force or simply meet
with user groups and area
landowners, county officials
Master plan say the plan will include
extensive citizen participation.
The Lebanon Hills master
Inworks planning process sparked
Tp Spring some tense meetings as park
for Spring
neighbors and users environ-
mental to incorporate envimn-
mental protection and devel-
op of the park.
Lake Park "They got t very heated,"
said Bob Gold,an Eagan resi-
dent who attended most of
BY AMY SHERMAN the meetings. "It happens.
Pioneer Press That's just the process. It's
much better than allowing
As Dakota County one park administrator to
embarks on a master plan to decide the future of the park.
decide the future of Spring The Spring Lake plan may
Lake Park Reserve, citizens not be as controversial
who participated in a similar because there are far fewer
process for a different park residents who live near that
have some advice for stake- park and it isn't used as
holders: Get involved—and heavily as Lebanon Hills in
be prepared to stay involved Eagan and Apple Valley.
for the long haul. About 111,000 people used
Jim Jenkins, a citizen Spring Lake Park last year.
active in a group that created Known for its beautiful views
the Lebanon Hills master plan of the Mississippi River and
in 2001, says those who care hilly terrain,the park is a pop
about the park should be pre- War spot for summer picnics
pared to commit their time to and hikes.The park has eclec-
the process and learn how tic uses,including an archery
other people use the park range and model airplane fly-
"We found that we can ing field. Since the park is a
each represent our own inter- reserve, 80 percent must
ests — that's pretty easy, to remain in its natural state
represent hiking, canoeing, The park boundaries
biking," said Jenkins, an include about 1,200 acres,but
Apple Valley resident "What about 25 percent is privately
is difficult is out of the uni- owned, so some areas of the
verse of things that go on park are inaccessible.
there, to try to define with a Commissioner Joe Harris,
group what they want their who represents the district
park to be." that includes the park, said
The master plan, which the master plan should
could take several months to explore whether the county
complete, will guide the should
future management of the pursue purchasing
park located in rural Dakota private heope un within the
County between Rosemount park The county becomes
and Hastings. The county buys such land Harris it he
will research•park conditions available; Harats and condemn-
and visitors' needs and doesn't anticipate condemn-
devise a plan to protect and ing land.
The county has$2 million
restore the park's resources set aside for improvements
and outline improvements. to Schaar's Bluff,a picnic and
Dakota County will :pay a hiking spot in the park The
consultant up to $62,000. to money comes from a court-
assist with the master plan. approved settlement with
County officials say they Koch Petroleum Group (now
don't have preconceived ideas called Flint Hills Resources)
about the outcome of the for pollution that occurred at
plan, although they will pose the refinery in the 1990s.
several questions: Should
access to the Mississippi Amy Sherman can be reached
River be improved? How at(651)228-2174 or
should the history of the park asherman @pionee ressam.+_
be pulled together? 'p .c