McEUEN: City doing its job
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 4 months AGO
How many times have you used McEuen Park? Personally I walked the trail around Tubbs Hill three times and shot baskets at the minuscule basketball court once. My wife has never availed herself of the park. There is nothing to draw us to the park.
The present site of the farmer’s market on 5th St. is a disaster waiting to happen. Many times I’ve observed people walking blithely across Sherman Ave., unheeding traffic or the signal lights. All it will take to shut down the farmer’s market is one unattended child run over by a motorist. Moving the farmer’s market to a safe location within McEuen Park would prevent that from occurring. A park setting would inspire me to purchase my dinner at the farmer’s market and linger in the park to enjoy its beauty. The proposed landscaping would not equal that of Manito Park, but it’s much more appealing than two acres of cracked asphalt with weeds.
Boaters complain of the difficulty of maneuvering their trailers through the city to the present boat launch. I advocate moving the launch to a more accessible location. Building a skating rink in the present site would promote use of the park all year. I’ve already talked with the proprietor of a local coffee shop about a portable kiosk that could sell hot chocolate and coffee nearby. Give people a reason to visit downtown in the winter and they will come.
Building two full-sized basketball courts and tennis courts would be wonderful. New modern restrooms and an information booth are a must. (The plastic toilets facing the Resort at the west end of the park are an unsightly embarrassment for our guests.)
Constructing an amphitheater might entice quality musicians to our area. Coeur d’Alene could host an event similar to Spokane’s Pig Out in the Park. This is a great opportunity for local restaurants to get inexpensive exposure. I’m aware that Independence Park has a nice stage, but there is little available parking nearby. A three-level parking garage in McEuen Park with one-third more parking spaces would be a welcome addition for concerts, melodramas, dog agility competitions, etc.
I have witnessed similar developments thriving in San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Corvallis, Ore.; and Spokane, Wash. Surrounding restaurants and other businesses are flourishing.
Step back and let capitalism blossom.
The proposed recall of council members providing vision to our community is unfortunate. I am more inclined to recall council members who stifle growth.
MIKE WILLIAMS
Post Falls