McEUEN: Dream on a lean budget

I can only imagine what it would be like waking up on a beautiful sunshiny day, loading up our vehicles with our family including children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and driving to McEuen Park for a day of picnicking and fun.

My vision is to improve the park without spending more than $35 million in the hardest of times. In my vision the baseball diamonds were still in place, the playground would have acquired additional equipment for the children, throughout the existing grassy areas there would be more benches, picnic tables, possibly barbecue pits with beautiful paved walks throughout.

There would be professional landscaping with trees, flowers and shrubbery. A lovely upgraded covered area for the carousel would be a focal point. There would be no additional water features to detract from the beautiful lake but we would enjoy watching the boats come and go keeping the boat ramp.

There would be no underground parking to detract from the serene setting. This would be accomplished for the good of all local family and citizens to enjoy as well as visitors. The improvements would be done by local contractors and their employees. This could be accomplished for a few million dollars compared to present plans being considered.

We are so blessed in Coeur d'Alene by the beauty that God surrounds us with already there to utilize! WHAT A DREAM AND VISION. Unfortunately, I had to wake up. I sure hope the City Council wakes up too!

RAY ANDERSON

Coeur d'Alene