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Dear Friends of Patrick Eagan Park,

Despite Saturday's near perfect weather, our Workshop on Preserving Open Space and hike that followed still managed to attract nearly three dozen attendees.

Sponsored jointly by Friends of Patrick Eagan Park and the Sierra Club's North Star Chapter, the workshop was bolstered by seven different speakers.

They included:

• Sharon Stephens and Trevor Russell of the Sierra Club (on how loss of Open Space and resulting Urban Sprawl can affect quality of life; and how planning and relations with local municipalities and the press can be critical);
• David Brunet, Jack Conrad, and John Ward of Friends of Patrick Eagan Park (on the group's origins and activities, and background on Patrick Eagan Park and the Eagan Core Greenway);
• Cordelia Pearson of the Trust for Public Land (on successful partnering with outside groups);
• Kurt Chatfield of the Dakota County Planning Office (on the Farmland & Natural Areas Referendum and Program).

The presentations delivered and materials distributed were extremely useful.

In addition, attendees had the opportunity to meet and converse with both Patrick McCarthy (early in the workshop) and Tony & Cheryl Caponi (mid-way through the hike). Tony shared a memorable account of how he began the Art Park---over 50 years ago!---and his current vision for the Park and Learning Center.

We hope to post photos and some of the materials from the workshop on our Website before long.

We'd like to thank everyone who had a hand in making the workshop a success.

Thanks again for your support during our month-long outreach program!

---Jack Conrad

www.FriendsofPatrickEaganPark.org