A Skateboard Park at Memorial Park?

We’ve just received this timely information from Lisa Ash.    Since it’s a longish, two-page document,  I’ll present the first paragraph here, and you can continue reading it by clicking on the link.    Thank you, Lisa———–Ed

A Quick Primer Regarding Skateparks and Memorial Park
1. History. The City has been working to determine a location for a possible skatepark,
responding to a request made in 2006 by the Skatepark Coalition (associated with The Key).
After the Park Board failed to recommend a site that was acceptable to the Council, the Council
relieved the Park Board of this responsibility. After discussions within the Council (at work
sessions and formal meetings), the Council has reduced possible locations to three candidate
parks sites, of which Memorial Park and Babcock Park are generally considered the most likely
contenders, and with Memorial Park strongly favored by some members of the Skateboard
Coalition and apparently favored by some members of the Council.   Continue reading A Skateboard Park at Memorial Park?

How Squirrels Get Through Winter

Here you see our furry friends hard at work eating berries, much as bears do, in contemplation of the winter ahead.                  Ed

squirrels

A new and excellent news link

Hello, All—–We thank Suzie Nakasian for alerting us to the presence of a new talent at Carleton,  namely Doug McGill Jr., who is earning acclaim as a blogger and intelligent conveyer of news.     You can see what we mean by going to the link below left, at

www.pressville.org.

Again, our appreciation to Suzie for this information.       Ed

Preservation of Islands in Lyman Lakes

About a month ago  (see earlier post)—–we described the reclamation efforts underway in Lyman Lakes, where the two islands have suffered much erosion of banks.

Here is a photo to show the considerable progress made since then.    The biologs are in place, creating a wall about four feet high at the new perimeters of the islands, and the littoral zone has been filled in with large amounts of mixed compost, sand and soil, and tamped down.    Also the new prairie plantings have been placed.

DSCN0907

Meanwhile, new visitors have appeared on the shores in these recent weeks of reclamation:   little green herons (Butorides virescens) have taken advantage of the new shallow zones to feed on minnows.        Ed

DSCN0903

Bus Service to Twin Cities Now Available

Thanks to Lisa Peterson, of Northfield Bus Lines, and Suzie Nakasian, we’ve received this notice of the new bus service(s) from Northfield to the Twin Cities.

Convenient for East Side residents: passenger pick-up and drop off locations in Northfield are located at Sayles Hill Campus Center, on the Carleton campus (end of College Stret) as well as the corner of 7th and Water Street South (near Wells Fargo Bank), and at St. Olaf College. (see schedule for details).
So walk to the Cities! East Side residents can get to the Metro quickly and affordably, without getting into our cars!
All  coaches are equipped with WiFi and bike racks, and seats include some table arrangements (chairs around a table) making it possible for groups to enjoy social time while en route to the theater or concerts.
More information is available on www.northfieldlines.com
Thank you for your help in spreading word of this new service , and for supporting its success.     Click on this link to see a photo of the bus and more information.        Ed