ECOLOGIAL RESTORATION
ER
AT CEDAR LAKE POINT BEACH (AND BEYOND)
Bike access to natural areas is not the same as through them Natural areas, like the forested north and northeast parts of Cedar Lake Park, is the home of birds, bugs, trees, grasses, and so many microorganisms we can't even see. This habitat is precious and in diminishing size and scale as land area continues to become consumed by human use, from production to pleasure. Humans Have Altered 97 Percent of Earth’s Land Through Habitat and Species Loss - The Smithsonian, April 20, 2021 While in one section of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's June 2023 version of the final Cedar - Isles Plan expressed an appreciation of Cedar Lake for its unique wild qualities, in another section later ignores this statement and added a two-way soft surface bike and pedestrian lane through the north and northeast corners of Cedar Lake Park. This area most embodies the sense of wilderness that is treasured. Planning Committee Agrees; Through the woods, "On your left" is not right At this past week's Park Board Planning Committee meeting, Commissioners reviewed and heard public testimony about 19 proposed amendments to the final Cedar - Isles Plan. Amendment S was to remove the bike trail. After reviewing public feedback and discussion, the Planning Committee voted to revolve the bike path from the plan. I join many others grateful for that vote, and for their approving the plan rejecting many amendments that were rejected by the Citizen's Advisory Committee during the public engagement process. For those interested a longer read Here is the (typo corrected) content of the input I provided via email to the Planning Committee members as a plea to remove the bike path design from the plan. Due to a scheduling conflict I was unable to attend this public meeting less than one week after it was announced. The two-way soft surface bike trail through the north and northeast part of Cedar Lake:
Thank you for your consideration. Next Step in the Planning Process The Cedar - Isles Plan will be presented at the next full board meeting on July 5th. Supporters are encouraged to express appreciation to their district and at-large park board commissioners for the Plan in its final form with regard to how it does not slice up the north and northwest section of Cedar Lake Park's wooded area.
Here is a link to the MPRB Commissioners contact info.
3 Comments
Keith Prussing
6/23/2023 08:58:26 pm
The final decision about the bike path through the woods and the full Cedar Isles Plan will be voted upon by the full Board.
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Miguel Granger
6/27/2023 09:34:11 am
There is already an abundance of bike trails in and around Minneapolis. There is not an abundance of natural preservation areas where people can enjoy nature’s beauty. My family has roamed the woods around Cedar Lake for decades and we share countless memories of animals we’ve spotted including owls, red fox, box turtles and more.
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STEPHEN KOTVIS
7/6/2023 05:01:32 pm
Good news. The Cedar Isles Plan passed the Board last night without a bike path through the woods. The plan's bike path through the woods was deleted by vote in the Planning Committee.
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March 2024
AuthorI'm Steve Kotvis, volunteer Park Steward for the Minneapolis Cedar Lake Point Beach peninsula who has a newfound love of restoring this natural area and more. I'm learning as I go, and enjoy sharing that with those who have an interest. I'm also a photographer, so the photos in this blog are mine unless otherwise labeled. |