Just some thoughts about the McEuen Field make-over I had at 4 a.m. I got up and turned on the computer and went to Google Earth and zoomed in on North Idaho and Coeur d'Alene. What did I see first? Water everywhere - lakes.

What is the first thing you see coming into Coeur d'Alene on I-90 from the east? Lake Coeur d'Alene. What is the first thing you see coming into Coeur d'Alene on US-95 from the south? Lake Coeur d'Alene. Coming in along Northwest Boulevard you see some feathers in the median at Riverstone, signs that indicate that there are three colleges in Coeur d'Alene, and then Lake Coeur d'Alene comes into view at the turn. Just fly over Coeur d'Alene and what feature catches your eye the most? Lake Coeur d'Alene! They advertise our city as "City by the Lake." Maybe they should add "without good access for boaters."

Now, as a resident of Coeur d'Alene since 1942 I do have some knowledge of the area and also an opinion about the McEuen re-do. The reason for this letter is question: What makes common sense to me? What common sense was used when the decision was made to remove the boat launch parking lot? McEuen does need some work and possibly a re-do. However, as a boat launch without parking is not using common sense.

For those of you that do not know the process of launching and picking up a boat at a busy boat ramp, you have much to learn. Time is of the essence, otherwise you end up with a mess and no one gets in or out of the water. Just go watch the ramp on a busy day. Go down and read the launch site rules that states it allows only 20 minutes at the launch site. For those of you that think that is too "prime of piece of property" to use for parking, I suggest you go toward the parking lot on the beach at Independence Point. In fact, I drove down there the other day when the water level was high and I could drive right into Lake Coeur d'Alene as the water was into the parking lot. Talk about prime property! Why is that parking lot OK? With no parking lot at the boat launch that is being planned, I wonder how long it might take before a claim against the city for non-compliance of the "American With Disabilities Act"?

There are about 20,000 registered boats in Kootenai County. I would think it about time their voices are heard. Some folks think boat ramps are used only June, July, and August but in fact they are used all year on Lake Coeur d'Alene. The ramps at McEuen and Booth Park are the only two that can be used all year at high water, low water, freezing and snow. If Coeur d'Alene moves the boat trailer parking over by City Hall I hope they plan on keeping the walkway free of snow and ice.

If Lake Coeur d'Alene and The Resort were not here what do you think downtown would be like? I do not think people would flock here just for the shops, art galleries, bars, and restaurants. Folks come to the lake to use it and not just look at it. The public has 1 mile of beach, 1 mile of hiking trail, the longest floating boardwalk in the nation, 30 parks consisting of 587 acres that the city maintains which include playgrounds with jungle gyms, softball fields, soccer fields, football fields, BMX bike park, skate board park, dog parks, tennis courts, basketball courts, sledding hill, amphitheater with pond and fountain, main city park with bandshell, Veterans Memorial Park, Centennial Trail, picnic areas in many of the parks. If you go to all of these facilities they have one thing in common: parking for the public and the handicapped adjacent to the facility. You would think 200 feet of lakefront for a boat launch with parking lot would not be asking too much (common sense).

I have read about how great the current City Council is and how great their vision have been. I believe many of these accomplishments are very good. However, that does not mean every one their visions are the best for Coeur d'Alene. I believe that a great visionary would also look at the past to see what brought Coeur d'Alene to this point in time. Most everything that brought Coeur d'Alene to this point is connected to the lake. Starting with logging and steam ships. Now we have tour boats, pleasure boating, fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, sea plane service, swimming, marinas, commuting, triathlon and Ironman swimming. I'm sure there are more things the lake is used for.

There are also code issue questions that I have. No property owner can open a business without parking that meets code. That does not generally mean three blocks away. That code includes asphalt, drainage, swales, curbing, lighting, possible traffic studies, handicap parking, etc. So I ask, how does City Hall get away with a non-compliant parking lot south of City Hall (gravel)? Maybe the city is going to sneak that parking lot re-do in with the boat parking lot? Pretty sneaky if you ask me.

Does the City Council really think that it is wise to eliminate the softball fields which has been one of the most successful programs that the Recreation Department has ever had? Thanks to Red Halperns' vision, the softball programs generate lots of revenue for the community every year. I would like to know much money the council thinks bocce ball and pickleball tournaments might generate after the softball fields are removed?

We are told it will cost $14 million for phase I. Where are the dollars coming from for phase 2 and 3? If all those LCDC tax increment dollars were paid directly to Coeur d'Alene to the general budget it seems our tax dollars would be lower. Am I too stupid to understand there are really no new tax dollars involved in this project as phase two and three, etc. are completed?

One last thought. If the city would remove all the parking on Front Avenue and the boat trailer parking and put in one large multi level parking facility south of the City Hall you would not have to replace anything with equal or better and all the room you need for bocce ball, pickle ball, playgrounds, picnic areas, and possibly even room to relocate the historical carousel. Then everyone has what they want. Oh, maybe that would be too far for all the people to walk to get to the downtown area? I guess that would not be using common sense. Wake up Coeur d'Alene and boaters - the City by the Lake without proper boating access is like a beach three miles from the water.

Roger Brockhoff is a Coeur d'Alene resident.