In attendance: Sally Grans, Michael Rainville, Chank Andermack, Ron Korsh, Tony Hofstede, Groundwork Mpls Director Karen Swenson, Steven Hydke, Ben G Korsh, Mark Pidhayny (Ukrainian Center) Joyce Vincent, Margaret Wieding, Edna Brazaitis, and Guests Mary and Tom Warpeha, Wemming Lu CC Hsaio and oyce Hsiaso, Linda Mealey Lohmann, and Mpls Park Rec Board Commissioner Walt Dziedzic. Meeting called to order at 6:33 pm at Eldercare basement.

Prior to the presentation, Sally reiterated the committee and STAWNO Board approved mission for the BF Nelson park that the Chinese Garden did not appear (but we will keep an open mind) to meet the issues noted in the 1992 community approved master plan nor the confirmed and approved major issues STAWNO created for continued pursuing funding to renovate the park as noted in the November meeting:

Issues: Drawings of some of the great parks in China shown. Presenters stated that a noted designer of world renown is to be involved with this project. They believe they can fund the park and maintain it with revenues from their rental structure and admission fee. Under questioning it was stated that they must have the event structure for rental and must charge a fee for admission to the gardens. They have looked at other sites, but presented this to the Park Board in December 2005 as they believe this is the best site for their needs. Noted that Groundworks Mpls Director Karen Swenson offered to assist in locating other appropriate sites and would share her data base information with them.

Project includes: passive gardens, areas to reflect, an event center for up to 300 people, a walled in 2 acre garden that is admissible only by fee and will have limited hours, no parking or drive for trucks or trash yet developed, water pond feature indicated (but after discussion it was realized that would not be wise with the potential hazardous material on the site). Handout indicated offices for the Man Chinese Friendship Garden Society

Organization will fund it and maintain it from the fees of the rental until closed, walled garden, bookstore and tea shop. Offices for the organization will be at this site.

Community Response was not positive for this presentation. Chinese Garden kept stating they would change things - but they could not change the wall of the garden, the building or the parking needs:

Every community member spoke and appreciated the beauty but did not want it at the BF Nelson site. Comments were consistent, and each person spoke up.

“not adequate parking - and if parking was indicated the whole site would be parking and building and closed to the public purposes” “questionable location; it is here only because we have not developed it” “public park and open space should remain public and walled in”

“trash and people parking at this event will have a terrible impact on the surrounding neighborhood” “public will not be served by this walled in garden”

“ Open space is required as the lungs for the city - this is one of the last open green spaces within two miles of the center of downtown: Loring Park is on one side and this is the other”

Comm Dziedzic brought up the issue regarding this park that it would be a continuum along Marshall with the gardens at Bonntineau, Sheridan and this would be the crown jewel garden such as in Vancouver, British Columbia. There was not agreement from the committee that this should be the plan for Marshall.

Connection to river, connection from sidewalk to street, rolling paths, large expanses of grass, move the Pioneer Statute to the park, no parking on the park but extend one more island from the original Boom Island, connect paths to Boom Island, remove road from the middle of the site, do not have canoe landing, maintain the fishing dock, highlight the Turner House foundation, maintain tree edges and buffer to existing residential areas. These concepts will be discussed with Cuningham Group and brought forth asap to the committee.

Tuesday June 6 and August 1, 2006. At the June meeting the Groundworks Intern will report on findings of the funding mechanism for other Art Parks across the Twin Cities, state and the national region from her web searches and personal discussion with significant institutions. Doug Padilla and Heidi Andermack discussing art curator and potential funding and will be reporting back with a recommendation.