Wirth Under Threat?

[Panman]

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet but today in the Star Trib there was an artical that Minneapolis park board might sell off, even give away parts of Wirth!? It's the first I've heard of it. Anyone know what's going on here?

[jeffgude]

Where are you seeing that? On startribune.com I see an editorial moaning about commercializing parks, but nothing specific to Wirth.

[Kingbozo]

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet but today in the Star Trib there was an artical that Minneapolis park board might sell off, even give away parts of Wirth!? It's the first I've heard of it. Anyone know what's going on here?

It was an editorial saying that the Park Board is considering giving away or selling parts of the park system. Wirth park wasn't specifically mentioned but it mentioned the actual Theodore Wirth and his homestead which is near Lake Harriet.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/5695927.html

[FSSS]

Anyone know what's going on here?

Poorly communicated opinions.

[SPR]

I found it quite sad and hope unintentional that a MORC trail marker had to accompany this rather negative editorial.:embarass:

[Panman]

I agree, when I first read the headline for the article I wasn't sure what to think, good/bad. Figured I'd bring it up here to get the scoop.

[Paul Swenson]

Rather incinerary comments that are a little over the top.:mad:



Mr.Birnbaum appears to be from a national group based in Washington that advocates reverting to the grand old days when parks were meant for “strolling”. Parks are so much more dyanmic now then when Wirth or Olmstead defined them as public spaces and they to need to be to serve the more diverse public.

[Wheels]

It's a bit ironic that he supposes Theodore Wirth's intentions.

There used to be a ski jump in Eloise Butler, a ice slide on Harriet, and three different massive bandshell/community centers at Harriet as well.

The facilities of the parks have always morphed with the needs/desires of the community.

The current environmentalist for the MPRB is proposing that the parks be returned to their "original intended design" as well, but I see no mention of this in his OpEd.

Theordore Wirth wanted to the wooded areas to be a representative example of the prairie Savana's and coniferous forests that make up the states wild areas. Hundreds of trees were planted under Theo Wirth, not all of them locally native - but rather a constantly evolving - self rejuvenating example of the states rich forests and savannas.

This would require the removal of thousands of buckthorn, something the MPRB has little or no funds to provide for. But take a look at some of the pictures of the original park and you'll see that the buckthorn has changed the entire landscape - and negated the efforts of Theo Wirth to create this naturally (re)occurring city forest and savanna.

Like so many other OpEd pieces these days, this one seems to be coming at the issue from a very narrow and self-serving view.

I guess that's why it's in the OpEd section, and not a story. Another person from DC trying to tell us how to run local issues.