Public Land Right to Know Bill Laudable

To the editor:

Parks and open space are called "public lands," leading citizens to think the public should decide how they are managed. But too often, we are surprised to find that our elected officials have different ideas. Around the Twin Cities, people are surprised to learn, often at the last minute, that their public lands are slated for sale or development.

My neighbors and I learned this lesson the hard way, when we had to organize against a city led effort to turn Patrick Eagan Park and adjacent farmland into a golf course. Currently, in Mendota Heights, concerned citizens are fighting to save Historic Pilot Knob from being sold to a developer, land that all Minnesotans should recognize as being worthy of preservation, and the list goes on.

The Public Land Right To Know Bill, authored by Sen. Ann Rest and Rep. Ray Cox, will require local and county governments to notify residents and seek their input before they make any decisions that could affect public lands. This bill deserves to pass and Sen. Rest and Rep. Cox deserve the thanks and appreciation of all people who care about their parks and open spaces.

Alane Roundtree
Eagan