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Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County |
The Friends of the Parks and Trails honored Representative Bev Scalze representing Little Canada, Vadnais Hts., Gem Lake, Roseville and Shoreview for her commitment to parks and trails. Rep. Scalze is serving her second term in the legislature after serving 21 years on the Little Canada City Council.
Rep. Scalze authored a number of environmental bills this last session and was was chief author of the legislation authorizing $10.5 million for the regional park system. This was the first time in many years that the regional park system was awarded the entire request from the Metro Council. This was the best session in many years for parks and trails, with Rep. Scalze a major player in funding for the environment.
Bev is also a well-known wildlife artist and DUCK STAMP WINNER!
Gale has served actively, efficiently and effectively for the park system in Roseville. She has participated in Roseville Gymnastic Association, Star of the North Games, Roseville Central Park Foundation; Friends of Roseville Parks, North Suburban Youth Foundation, Rosefest Parade Committee, Roseville Parks and Recreation Commission and as a member of the Harriet Alexander Nature Center Planning Committee.
All of Gale's volunteer endeavors are served with enthusiasm and tireless energy.
Jim KarcheJim has worked as a volunteer at the Maplewood Nature Center. He has volunteered over 1,500 hours since 1991. He also helped start 'The Friends of Maplewood Nature Center' and has volunteered for the National Parks Service and the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Duluth Aquarium.
Barb has worked as a volunteer at the Maplewood Nature Center and has continued her work there despite her recent move to New Richmond, WI.
She worked tirelessly to help found a new nonprofit supporting the Nature Center and the twelve open space sites in Maplewood called the Neighborhood Preserves. She invites everyone to discover the Maplewood Neighborhood Preserves!
Shawn started the new sailing club at Phalen Park and is the Commodore. He set up the by-laws, obtained members, conducted meetings, and obtained, maintained and launched 17 boats.
The Friends of the Parks and Trails honored Jon Kerr as Park Citizen of the Year at their annual meeting on June 19. Jon worked with the Friends of Lilydale Park to develop a new vision and mission for Lilydale Park.
Jon's leadership helped to build a broad base of park support and interest. Jon came up with the fun and creative idea to do a Saturday in the Park event. With a unique and different focus each month of that year. All events were free and family friendly, designed for children, youth and adults to enjoy together. Saturday in the Park was very successful and offered a fun way for many people in the area to sample and experience a wide array of what Lilydale Park has to offer, including events that focused on: winter Hiking (animal tracking, etc.) birding (and bird house building), biking/roller blading, fossil hunting/geology, arts and nature, running fishing/boating (kayaks & canoes), social history, etc.
Through Jon's leadership, connections were made with a teacher and students at Humboldt High School who, with then Singing National Park Service Ranger, Charlie Maguire, wrote a song celebrating Lilydale Park's history and features. The song became part of an inter-generational storytelling event designed to bring together old timers (some of whom have lived in Lilydale Park when it was a town), and park newcomers.
In 2000 Jon helped to provide leadership to review the park master plan and meet with Parks and Recreation staff to help move the master plan into an action plan.
Jon has taken a special interest and lead for Friends of Lilydale Park on working with the city on trail improvements. Jon's involvement was instrumental in several projects in particular
1) Vento's View wildlife viewing platform, which sits bluff-top in the park overlooking Pickerel Lake.
2) The Brickyard Trail improvements for pedestrians was completed in 2006 which created a safe, beautiful link between Lilydale Park's buff-top and lower level of the park in the Mississippi River flood plain.
3) Helping Friends of Lilydale Park receive a grant to help pay for development of promotional materials for the park, including a train map brochure which he designed, wrote and printed, as well as a website for Friends of Lilydale Park
Gary Bobb has worked to make the Swede Hollow Park safer and cleaner. Gary became a Park Steward for Swede Hollow Park and is a member of the Friends of Swede Hollow Park.
Gary has met with members of the St. Paul Police Department and with other residents or businesses near the park, Dayton's Bluff, Payne Avenue and near the Drewrey Tunnel entrance. His objective was to discourage folks going into the park for he sole purpose of using the park as a safe haven for consuming alcohol.
His treatment of the homeless and itinerant persons as members of the community, who have a right to be there, but also have a responsibility to keep the parks litter-free, has helped immeasurably in this effort.
Gary participates in bi-annual park cleanups and he also picks up litter in the park daily when he walks his dog.
Through this constant monitoring of Swede Hollow, it has become safer than ever before. More people are using Swede Hollow as a walking or biking route. Hope Academy School has begun recess and excursions into Swede Hollow. The added public use of Swede Hollow and the promise of the Vento Regional Park have created growing public awareness and greater expectations of these treasures.
Sue Moyer is a dedicated volunteer who has completely taken charge of the annual Battle Creek Park cleanup in the spring as well as two other times during the year.
For the last four years Sue has coordinated the Battle Creek Park spring cleanup. For the last three years Sue's efforts have resulted in the largest cleanup efforts in the County. She utilizes various methods of volunteer recruitment to involve local residents, schools, youth and adult organizations to cleanup the Battle Creek area consisting of 840 acres of parkland. Each year the number of volunteers involved in the effort has increased due to her efforts.
In 2007 volunteers spent a morning in the Battle Creek area and picked up more than 2.3 tons of trash and waste. Since she has taken over the leadership of the cleanup she has added two other opportunities during the year for people to help cleanup the park area.
Debra has served on the Ramsey County Park and Recreation Commission for five years. She is active in her community of Vadnais Heights helping with plantings and park cleanups. She has a wonderful garden and is very knowledgeable.
Deb is very willing to help on any project she is asked to serve and she leads by example.
Mona Frey was honored by the Friends of the Parks and Trails for her volunteer work at their annual meeting on June 19. Mona's commitment to Hansen Park in New Brighton is well known by residents around the park and visitors to the park. She walks daily through the park picking up litter. This has gradually expanded so that she not only walks on the trails, but through other parts of the park as well.
Mona has encouraged others to help keep Hansen Park clean and has engaged with the Disc Golf players to help keep a clean environment in Hansen Park. Mona has become the Adopt a Park committee of one for Hansen Park.
Kathy Lantry
Council Member Kathy Lantry received the Public Service Award from the Friends of the Parks and Trails at their annual meeting on June 19. Throughout her tenure on the City Council Kathy has recognized the importance of parks, trails and open spaces to her neighborhood and the entire city. She has worked in collaboration with neighbors, environmental organizations and the city Parks and Recreation Division to ensure access to and preservation of these areas.
Kathy participated in efforts to restore Swede Hollow Park and the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. She has been an advocate for increased maintenance and accessibility at city parks facilities such as Mounds Park, Battle Creek Park and the city recreation centers. She has pushed for funding to preserve natural areas such as Henry Park and the Great River Park. Kathy has worked to promote sound policies for parks and open space management including the formation of the Mississippi River Advisory Committee to consider zoning regulations for the Mississippi River Critical Area. Kathy has been an outspoken opponent to the Holman Field Floodwall, which will set precedent for future management of the river corridor.
Tom Dimond
Tom Dimond received the Park Volunteer of the Year Award on June 19 at the Friends of the Parks Annual Meeting. Tom has dedicated much of his adult life to making sure that undeveloped green spaces are preserved for future generations of all St. Pauls residents.
Tom was instrumental in saving the land designated as Henry Park from development. He pushed for designation of this property as a city park and due to Tom's efforts the City of St. Paul received bonding money in the last legislative session to purchase the property.
For many years, Tom has been involved in efforts to build connections among all the green spaces along the eastern and southern stretches of the Mississippi River Corridor, including Pigs Eye Lake, Battle Creek Park and trails along the bluffline. He has worked tirelessly to ensure that the National Great River Park becomes a green reality. Tom has made a lasting mark on St. Paul and our parks system.
Battle Creek West Trail Grooming Team
The cross-country ski area on the west side of Battle Creek Regional Park offers challenging terrain and a lighted ski course. During the 2005-2006 winter season, Ramsey County realized that it did not have the manpower or expertise to effectively manage the snow conditions at this premiere cross-county ski site. Disappointed skiers appealed to the County to make cross-country ski grooming a priority in terms of time, frequency and quality. Ramsey County recognized the grooming expertise within the cross-country ski community and enlisted a small cadre of skiers to manage the snow at the Battle Creek West site.
The results were dramatic! Ski reports went from poor/fair to excellent overnight. Moreover, the volunteers were able to provide quality ski conditions throughout the season in spite of early thaw conditions. The volunteers groomed at night after the trails were closed, often in severe weather conditions. The volunteers are John Fitzgerald, Phil Zink, Ahvo Taipale, Dale Thompson, Brent Oja and John O'Connell.
Claire Pflager
Claire Pflager has volunteered at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park for twenty-two years. Claire started as a gardener aide in 1980 Most of her work has been centered on production and grooming tasks to prepare plants for conservatory exhibits. In this role and over the duration of her service, Claire has had a hand in potting at least a quarter of a million bulbs. With five flower shows held annually, Claire has helped to place literally millions of plants on exhibit for the public enjoyments, education and inspiration.
Chuck Pflager
Chuck has been solving problems for Como Park Zoo and Conservatory staff since 1990. When the staff needs something invented, Chuck is the guy to go to. His skills at creative problem solving, mechanical and carpentry has made Chuck an extremely valuable volunteer at Como Park. Chuck has been invaluable asset to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.
Jenny Winkelman
Jenny has served as Chair of Community Services Committee for the Highland Park District Planning Council for over 12 years. She has been an active leader in community environment issues impacting the neighborhood, such as the Highland Park National Golf Course parking lot run off and proper drainage; the walking bridge over Montreal Avenue run off and drainage; and the walking trails on the north side of Montreal Avenue down to West Seventh Street. Jenny has demonstrated a strong commitment to Saint Paul and its environment.
Terry Furlong
Terry has served as chairperson of the North St. Paul Park and Recreation Commission for the past three years. He established the North St. Paul Park Fund to be used for park and trail enhancements and improvements in North St. Paul. He has worked with Eagle Scouts on projects around the parks and trails which include, the environmental learning center trails restoration project, Southwood Park trail and observation deck restoration and promotion; Hause Park playground area repairs; Silver Lake canoe rack and garbage can enclosures. Terry is always willing and readily available to help the North St. Paul and Trails.
Phyllis Casper
Phyllis began her volunteer work at Como in June, 2000 when she began as a Japanese Garden Interpreter for Como Ordway Memorial Japanese Garden. She later trained as an Interpreter in the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory and took on regular duties as a Server for Victorian Teas and other special events Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival, Sunset Affair and the Como Golf Tournament. Phyllis also serves as Legislative Assistant monitoring endless legislative committee hearings at all hours of the day and night keeping a close tally on developments that will impact the future of the zoo and conservatory.
Jim Schaaf
Jim has been an active member of the North St. Paul Park & Recreation Commission for the past five years. He is very involved in the North St. Paul Athletic Association for 20+ years, organizing and promoting youth softball and football and is always highly respected by all involved. Jim play a major role in the organization and implementation in this year North St. Paul park and trails spring clean-up day. Jim is a devoted North St. Paul parks and trails volunteer.
Dorene Karlson
Dorene has been a Como volunteer since March of 1999 when she began as a Gardener Aide every week. Over the years she has assisted with a variety of special event activities: Music Under Glass, Victorian Teas, Plan and Bulb Sale, and since 1999, Dorene has been most involved in Como annual Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival. The staff and other volunteers are very appreciative of her design and development of a lantern launcher which has improved the ease and safety of getting the lanterns in and out of rock-rimmed Frog Pond. She volunteers because she wants to give back to a place that she and her family have enjoyed for many years.
Dale Connolly
In 1997 Dale joined the Friends of the Como Conservatory Gardens Board of Directors. He also served as Education Liaison in support of the development of educational activities for visitors to the conservatory.
Dale takes great care in maintaining the gardening beds and likes to keep the gardens looking nice for the public. Dale signed on as a Gardener Aide and assisted with special events Zoo Boo, Holiday Magic, Como Golf Tournament and the Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival. Over the last nine years Dale has volunteered over 1200 hours.
The Friends of the Parks and Trails presented its 20^th anniversary Public Service award to Minnesota State Representative Alice Hausman an outstanding steward of our natural resources.
Representative Hausman was elected to the State Legislature in 1989 in a special election to fill the seat vacated by Ann Wynia. Early in her legislative career Representative Hausman served as Vice-Chairman of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee and learned the needs of the environment from one of the most successful defenders of the environment in the nation, the late State Representative Willard Munger. The following are some of the highlights of Representative Hausman many accomplishments regarding parks, trail and open space in just this session at the Legislature ....
She is the lead Democratic and key person on the Capital Investment - bonding - committee and serves on the Transportation Finance Committee This last session she was instrumental in protecting the $7 million for the regional park system in the bonding bill. She has been a big supporter for Como Park and the Riverfront, consistently pushing funding for the Como Resource Center and the Mississippi Riverpark Development. She has worked to protect parks, trail and forest by working on regulations for ATVs Representative Hausman sponsored legislation for the state museum of natural history at the U of MN St. Paul campus She worked to secure funding for diseased shade trees removal and funding replacement She helped obtain funding for park and trail improvements in the Merrimam Park Area - the area above the historic Meeker Island historic site, for river's edge improvements and redevelopment of a public park on Raspberry Island, and for Mississippi River metropolitan area blufflands acquisition Representative Hausman has a major interest in soccer and has fought for funding for soccer fields in the entire state. Finally, Representative Hausman was one of only two legislators - out of 201 members of the Minnesota House and Senate, to receive a 100% rating from the League of Conservation voters.
For our 20th Anniversary we wanted to honor some of the many volunteers who put decades of public service into our park systems, we thank them all.
Metta Belisle, Maplewood Nature Center Volunteering since 1995 and helping with programs for students at the Nature Center.
Wendy Armitage, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 23 years volunteering and helping with numerous events.
Tim Christensen, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Volunteering since 1987 and helping with special events - golf classic, wine tasting event and Zoo Boo.
Larry Hasse, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 35 years volunteering - foster parent for variety of zoo animals, special events, junior docent program
Johanne King, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 10 year volunteering - horticultural programs and Como zoo animal enrichment programs.
Andy Klingenmeyer, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 18 years volunteering - Como Zoo Docent program, handling animals for public enjoyment and education.
Anne Knoblauch, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 15 years volunteering - sewing animal costumes for Zoo Boo - butterflies, snakes, mermaids, and many more.
Maggie Lindorfer, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 5 years volunteering - support horticultural programs and education programs.
Mae Mazzara, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 11 years volunteering - in charge of food for Zoo Boo and working on all big events
Nancy Robbins, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory 10 years volunteering - leadership in planning and preparing for Zoo Boo and commitment to Harriet Alexander Nature Center in Roseville.
Beverly Silvermann, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Volunteering for 35 years - using her talents as an artist, actress and natural education to promote Como Zoo.
On the 20th Anniversary of the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County Representative Betty McCollum congratulated the Friends and their volunteers for the critical role in the planning, development and preservation of Saint Paul and Ramsey County's parks, trails and open space. Representative McCollum thanked the Friends for their commitment and dedication to the important issues, and their partnership with citizens, government agencies and communities and the legacy they have created to be enjoyed for years.
Greg Mack, Director - Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department presented the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County a proclamation from the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners. The proclamation was in appreciation of the Friends support of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation System and congratulations to its Board of Directors and members on their 20^th anniversary of service to the citizens of Ramsey County.
Grit Youngquist helped organize volunteers to do park clean-ups several times a year at Lilydale Park and has helped assure that the park's natural and historical resources are protected for the enjoyment of the broader community. She helped lead a planning group to promote and host monthly park events which highlight a different feature/quality of the Park. She has hosted bird hikes and fossil digs several times each year and worked with the Parks and Recreation staff to present the Lilydale Bike Path Extension Proposal to the Capital Improvement Budget Committee. She started an awareness campaign to teach community members the benefits to human health and water quality by avoiding lawn chemicals. She also organized a monarch Butterfly Project.
Cliff Timm
Cliff Timm was recognized for his work to provide a fishing area for
neighborhood children at Pickeral Lake, for donating money to the Department
of Natural Resources for aerations at Pickeral Lake, and for his work at
Lebanon Hills Regional Park and Rogers Lake to promote fishing.
Jacob Dorer
Jacob Dorer began his volunteering as a youngster growing up in Saint Paul
and he has continued his work as an adult. His Boy Scout Troop has annual
clean-up events at Kasota Pond and he helped develop a bicycle campground
in Great Bluffs State Park in southern Minnesota. He secured a pilot grant
for buckthorn removal from private property in Mounds Park and recruited
volunteers, organized a training session and canvassed 800 homes notifying
residents of buckthorn infestations.
Dennis Thompson
Dennis Thompson is an active member of Friends of Swede Hollow Park and
has helped guide the restoration of the native vegetation. He was a
member of the Great River Greening Steward Pilot project for Swede Hollow
Park and helped organize the event with students and teachers at Cleveland
Middle School and the Friends of Swede Hollow.
Park Citizen Awards
Peter Fischer
Peter Fischer received the Public Service Award, which is given to
an appointed official who has given outstanding support for
parks, trails and open space.
Peter has three children and lives by Playcrest Park. He follows family leadership in his activities in the public sector. His Mother, Lorraine, served as Chair of the Maplewood Planning Commission for many years. His children go the the Tri-District School in Maplewood, which is an environmental school. His family camps together.
Peter has shown outstanding leadership as Chair of Maplewood Park Commission since 1996. He worked very hard to pass the Open Space Referendum a few years ago. He also worked to pass the last park referendum which was not successful. In 1999 he chaired the task force which developed the comprehensive park plan.
We normally do not give out Park Volunteer awards to two people, but these two people have done identical activities in two different areas of the city. They are Karin DuPaul from the Swede Hollow areas and Karlyn Eckman from St. Anthony Park. These women are two outstanding leaders in the protection and promotion of parks.
Karin DuPaul
Karin was nominated by
the Friends of Swede Hollow. Karin has been a passionate advocate for
Swede Hollow Park for many years, president of a number of community
organizations and a member of the steering committee for the development
of a new city park, the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary at Lower Phalen
Creek. She also served on the Trout Brook-Lower Phalen Greenway Task
Force in 2000-01.
Karin DuPaul has been a tireless and committed advocate for Swede Hollow Park since 1978 when she formed the Swede Hollow Task Force, a community group dedicated to park issues. She founded the Upper Swede Hollow Neighborhood Association in 1982, was its president from 1982-1999 and currently is Vice President. This year Karin took the initiative to work towards non-profit status for the Friends of Swede Hollow group. She is now president of this organization as well. The Friends of Swede Hollow is an organization that works in partnership with the St. Paul Department of Parks and Recreation as well as many other groups to improve the quality of the park through cleanups, removal of invasive species, the planting of native plants and holding events, such as hayrides, to enhance the enjoyment of the park.
As a member of Friends of Swede Hollow, Karin has written and received a number of grants to create the Hamm's Mansion Woodland Wildflower Garden in the upper east section of Swede Hollow Park on the site of the Hamm's mansion foundation. Over the years this section of the park had become a neglected section of Swede Hollow, overgrown with buckthorn and impenetrable to visitors. Over the past three years, the Wildflower Garden has been planted with a wide variety of native woodland species, has a walking path and has become a desirable place to visit.
Karin has introduced countless people to the environment and history of the parks on the East Side of St. Paul through her monthly Take a Hike walks, which she began in 1990. On these walks, she leads groups of people from Mounds Park along the Bruce Vento Trails, through Swede Hollow Park and out to Lake Phalen Park. She created a historical pamphlet, the Swede Hollow Walking Tour, complete with historical photographs and information to enhance the visitors understanding of the park's rich history.
Karin also received a grant for the Friends of Swede Hollow this year from the Friends to establish a garden on the Mowry Garden Site, located on the south side of the upper section of Swede Hollow Park, adjacent to Mowry Street. It is the goal of the Friends of Swede Hollow to restore this piece of park to a more natural condition, with plants representative of the vegetation that might have naturally occurred on the site.
Karin is truly a local hero on the East Side --a person whose dedication has changed the face of her community for the better through sustained and thoughtful participation.
Karlyn Eckman
Karlyn was nominated by the Environment Committee of the
St. Anthony Park Community Council. Karlyn is the primary organizer of
the Annual Kasota Pond Clean-Up for at least the last five years. She
first began organizing these clean-ups 13 years ago. Each year the
involvement grows. The 2003 Annual Kasota Pond Clean-Up brought in a
record breaking 60+ volunteers, who collected over 70 bags of waste.
Karlyn is the co-author and primary organizer of the 2003 DNR Conservation Partners Grant. Through the grant, Karlyn is leading several local residents, who are also environmental professionals, to help with various activities including planting native vegetation, shoreline restoration, provision of turtle basking and nesting sites, control of road runoff, and removal of invasive species. She is organizing neighborhood volunteers to monitor pond water and habitat, and take a neighborhood bird census. A variety of educational activities with local groups and schools are planned throughout 2003 including tours of the Kasota Ponds which she leads.
Karlyn is the co-author of the DNR Metro Greenways Grant for the St. Anthony Park Natural Resources Inventory and Planning Initiative. Through this grant and Karlyn's work, the Community Council was able to conduct and complete a natural resources baseline inventory, with the purpose of protecting, conserving, and enhancing the habitat value of existing natural resources. Karlyn led a core team of six environmental professionals and over 40 citizen volunteers. Field studies were conducted on aquatic entomology, fisheries, turtles, mammals, birds, aquatic vegetation, water quality, hydrology, forestry, and soils.
She has authored several environmentally related articles, over the past five years, in The Park Bugle, and the St. Anthony Park Community Newsletter, the Networker.
Karlyn is the co-organizer and primary volunteer surveyor in a joint effort with the City of St. Paul Forestry Department to map and inventory all park and boulevard trees in St. Anthony Park. She began this project in the spring of 2001 in order to better monitor the health of the trees in the neighborhood.
Karlyn is a volunteer commissioner on the Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization, a very active member of the St. Anthony Park Environment Committee, and was instrumental in galvanizing a grassroots neighborhood campaign to stop the development of a gas station in the Kasota pond greenspace in 1998-1999.
Karlyn dedication to safe-guarding and improving the quality of the natural areas in the St. Anthony neighborhood is inspiring and well worth recognizing.
Bruce Rabe
Bruce was nominated by Shannon Stewart, Volunteer
Coordinator for Tamarack Nature Center. Bruce has dedicated over 1100
hours volunteering at the Nature Center. He has been a trail guide for
preschool as well as school age programs. He is around to help the staff
with any special event and has even dressed up as a voyageur. Bruce has
cleared brush, burned brush, and hauled garbage. Bruce is always willing
to make suggestions on how to improve programs or the nature center
itself. Bruce is truly an asset to Tamarack Nature Center.
Perry Bolin
Perry came on the board in 1989 shortly after the Friends
was established. He also served on the Task Force which, from 1988 to
1989 which developed the Plan for Parks, Trails and Open Space, a
framework for guiding the park systems into the 21 century. He served as
President of the Friends from 1998 to 2000. He moved to Crystal about a
year ago, and it is difficult to attend the board meetings so he has
chosen not to remain on the board.
Jerrilyn Thompson
Jerrilyn came on the board in 2000. She works in
parks and recreation for the University of Minnesota. She contributed a
lot to the Friends during her short time on the board.
We want to thank these two people for all they have done for the Friends of the Parks.
Linda Jungwirth received the Park Citizen of the Year Award from the Friends of the Parks and Trails for the exceptional work she has done surrounding the 38 acre Trillium site located in St. Paul’s North End neighborhood. Linda has demonstrated the importance of establishing a Greenway from the Mississippi River to the northern city limits of St. Paul by incorporating Swede Hollow/Lower Phalen, Trillium and the Arlington/Jackson sites. She has worked tirelessly for the preservation of the Trillium site by coordinating efforts to preserve the site, circulating petitions, testifying at numerous public hearings and gathering support from community groups, the school district, elected officials, business owners, and environmental groups. Linda has done outstanding work in trying to protect, secure, and develop open green spaces that will enhance the community and city as a whole.
Sandy Martin, Mayor of Shoreview, was honored by the Friends of the Parks and Trails at their annual meeting on June 20, 2001. She received the Public Service Award for the work she has done to support parks and trails in Shoreview.
Sandy has been working for over twenty-five years to support parks and trails, first as a member of the Shoreview Planning Commission, as a City Council member, and now as Mayor of Shoreview. She has worked for the development and improvement to McCullough Park; development of trails within the city; development of the Super Rink in Blaine; development of the Rice Creek Fields and Trails; cooperation with the School District to provide for recreational opportunities for youth; and currently on the expansion of the community center.
Shoreview has always had a strong tradition of support for parks, recreation and trails and Sandy has been a big part of that tradition.
Pamela Carson, Little Canada, was honored by the Friends of the Parks and Trails at their annual meeting on June 21, 2001. She received an award for outstanding service to parks and trails.
The Friends said she typifies the type of person who makes parks better by quietly doing things to improve the parks. Pamela focused her activities on Lake Gervais where she cleaned up the park each day, both summer and winter. She also worked with the youth of the area supervising fishing activities on the shores of Lake Gervais, and teaching kids the conventions, safety and responsibilities inherent in the sport of fishing. This type of informal activity is highly valuable in forming the values of the next generation who will themselves become the caretakers of our parks and trails.
Karlyn was honored by the Friends of the Parks and Trails at their annual meeting. Karlyn has been active in the past 5 years helping to protect, acquire and promote the stewardship of the Kasota Pond green space and park areas in St. Anthony Park. She has initiated community-based activities to mitigate the negative impacts of industrial development on natural remnants, including habitat improvement, citizen-science based monitoring, and educational opportunities.
Karlyn was the primary organizer of the annual Kasota pond clean up for the last five years. She was co-author and primary organizer of the 2000 Department of Natural Resources Metro Greenways Grant for the St. Anthony Park Natural Resources Inventory and Planning Initiative. During the past two years she has been instrumental in garnering the funds for the initiative, hiring staff, and organizing professional and non-professional volunteers to help with the inventory.
Barbara Heideman, Roseville, received an award for outstanding service to parks from the Friends of the Parks and Trails. Barbara has been instrumental in leading the effort to establish dog parks in Ramsey County. She incorporated and organized ROMP (Responsible Owners of Mannerly Pets) and has led the way in encouraging the creation of off-leash recreation areas outside of Ramsey County and lending her expertise on the best practices of dog parks throughout the metro area.
We are asking for your help in honoring people who have worked for parks within Ramsey County. The winner of the award will be announced at the Friends Annual Picnic.
The deadline for nominations is May 14 of the current year. E-mail to peggylynch@visi.com (do not send as attachment). For additional information call 651-698-4543. US Mailing address is at the bottom of the page.
Anyone is encouraged to submit nominations. Although there is only one Park Citizen for the year, all who are nominated will be honored. Criteria for this award includes:
Nominations can be mailed to:
Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey Co.
1621 Beechwood Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55116
The deadline for nominations is May 14 of the current year. or e-mail to peggylynch@visi.com, please do not send as attachment. For additional information call 651-698-4543.