Concern about pending negative develpoment at Lebanon Hill Park

I am writing in regards to the pending 2013 Master Plan for Lebanon Hills Regional Park (LHRP).

I am very concerned about features of the currently proposed “Master plan” for Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A key item of concern is the proposed construction of a paved “connector trail” through the heart of the park. Such a “trail” does not belong in Lebanon Park.  A paved surface is not a trail, it is a road and it would greatly disrupt the “natural” setting of the park.  The proposed path of this “road” surface and its easements would consume huge amounts of precious “natural” park topography. This paved “trail” also calls for a maximum 5% grade along its path. The name of the park is “Lebanon HILLS”.  Therefore, I believe the “hills” should take precedence and be preserved. If trails would be graded to this specification, there would be few “hills” left. I strongly recommend that if “connections” between the park’s facilities are needed, that they be established on the perimeter of the park and not be allowed to invade the park’s interior disturbing its natural setting. If people at the Johnny Cake Ridge campground want to go to the Cliff Road visitor’s center or other facilities, the sidewalks and shoulders currently existing along Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Pilot Knob Road and Cliff Road will get them there and vies-versa. The use of these existing features to connect facilities should be promoted.

The plan also proposes that LHRP become a “hub” and convergence point of several other area trails, titled “greenway” trails. I see nothing “green” about these area trails. These “greenways” are thoroughfares and sub-streets that channel traffic from place to place. To make LHRP a hub or a convergence point would only invite overwhelming levels of traffic, noise and congestion to the park that would greatly detract from, or destroy the “natural experience” expectation.  

Current park literature features the catch phrase ”Forever Wild”. It would seem that the intent to develop such features as paved trails, trail hubs, camping cabins, etc. would be in direct contrast to such a declaration. Such a plan would only create stresses and sprawl that would destroy LHRP.

Lebanon Hills Park is a treasure and a unique natural environment. One sure way to wreck it is to throw open the gates for excessive and non-compatible use. Over-use detracts and deteriorates an environment. The more people that are introduced, the less “natural” the space will become. 

Definition: Nat-u-ral, /adjective: def,: Existing in or caused by nature, not made or caused by humankind.

Human presence impacts environments. Development, commercialization and over-use destroys environments. The best way to preserve some environments such as LHRP is to leave them alone.

Consider the lyrics of a song written by Joni Mitchell:

“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”….

“They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum. Then they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see ‘em”

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s GONE”

“They paved paradise and put up a parking lot”

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Help preserve the park and it's natural environment.

 Contact the citizen park preservation group: "Wilderness in the City"

Join their email list at wildernessinthecity@gmail.com

Visit their web page: www.wildlebanonhills.org

Attend the county "Open House" event Monday, Dec. 16th, 5-7pm at the Dakota County Western Services Center, 14955 Galaxie Ave. Apple Valley, MN

Greg Pasillas, Inver Grove Heights, MN