McEUEN: 'Tired' park needs help

Congratulations to the McEuen Park Committee for coming up with a beautiful park plan that will surely become the centerpiece of Coeur d'Alene activity.

McEuen Park as it stands is "tired," outdated and little used. I can't believe we have used some of our prime waterfront for a parking lot all these years. I've noticed the baseball fields are used less and less each year. (The one pair of osprey that nest in the lights seem to enjoy it, though.) Occasionally people use the park as a shortcut when they are going somewhere else. Other than that, a few parents and kids use the playground and a few more come for 15 minutes of sledding down the slope when the snow is good. This space deserves something better.

The plan put together by Team McEuen is outstanding: It has something for everyone to enjoy, lots of public space for large or small gatherings, a classic Veterans Memorial space with room tor celebrations, greatly improved fun space for children, designated areas for other popular activities, beautiful features that will make it the go-to place for meeting friends or just finding a sweet spot for contemplation. By moving the parking underground, we not only more than double the available parking, we add an additional 5 acres to the park.

This is a big project, but we're up to it. Not only will it benefit us and our community in the near term, it is our legacy to the future of Coeur d'Alene. I hope our City Council will have the courage and foresight to give the go ahead to this plan.

MARILYN MUEHLBACH

Coeur d'Alene