Meg’s Response to Uptown Neighborhood News
1. To many residents of Minneapolis, it appears that the Park Board has not done enough to combat Dutch Elm Disease in the last 2 years. What is your plan for limiting the spread of Dutch Elm Disease and replacing lost trees with new ones?
In 1978, within 9 months of moving into my home on 33rd & Irving, 13 elms were taken down on my block’s boulevard. I organized my block through the newly formed Shade Tree Committee of ECCO and we replanted that street. A quick response and systematic defense is essential to defend our natural resources. Organized outreach, utilizing volunteers, neighborhood associations, business contributions, foundation grants, etc. is paramount especially with the reemergence of Dutch elm disease to sponsor and replant new trees.
People for Parks, the old fundraising arm of the Park Board, that I chaired and also edited it’s news for 17 years, was very effective in raising funds for preventive care of our elms and for replanting. It was equally effective in raising awareness of the crisis. As a steward of our natural resources, these efforts I would advocate for today.
2. What is your opinion of the proposed controversial development of the Yacht Club on the southeast shores of Lake Calhoun? Please describe your vision of the lakeshore, address both natural greenspace and development.
The yacht club project lacks an appropriate citizen input process and I question overuse of the Chain of Lakes. Engaging citizens in consensus of their vision is priority #1.
The present vision for our parks is based on a decades old comprehensive plan. I will advocate for strengthening our open space policies. I am presently working on two open space corridors: Above the Falls and the Midtown Greenway Land Use, that can diversify use and revitalize other areas of the City. Both of these projects are rooted in citizen participation and their viewpoints.
Green spaces need strong oversight to provide sensible development while being sensitive to the
environment. It is imperative to chart the course of appropriate development for downtown, above the falls, along our new trail systems, around our City lakes and parklands that protects the hallmark of our City: the egalitarian access to our parks.



