McEUEN: Looks like a winner

I like the new McEuen Park concepts. I grew up on Young Avenue, practically with Tubbs Hill as my backyard. We kids played there constantly and I still pay my taxes in Kootenai County.

Given the mission of designing comprehensively and providing the greatest uses for the greatest number of people, the depth and breadth of the design is impressive. We are fortunate to have a local design team knowledgeable about the area.

In any infrastructure concept of this magnitude, some things are gained and some things are lost. Many of the comments lament what is lost, but it's also useful to focus not on what is not there, but what is. And what is there is substantial: access to the water, three- or even four-season uses and restrooms.

Still, this is at the concept stage, albeit a highly-developed concept. It should go forward. The design has great flexibility and can be phased over many years. With the design, items can still be added, altered or eliminated. Balancing the loss of the Legion ball field, for real local baseball, bring back Little League at McEuen Field like I had.

Importantly, we should encourage this foundation for the enjoyment of all of our citizens for decades. The park begs to be experienced, I have no doubt it would be.

Finally, even though it is public money, it is for a public purpose. It is public infrastructure and park land that will always be owned by the public.

CRAIG JOHNSON

Burlingame, Calif.