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TFMI54TA
TO: Otsego Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Director
DATE: July 14, 2015
RE: Naming the Park located in the Wild Flower Meadow's Development
Background:
With the design phase of the park located in the Wildflower Meadows Development
underway, the Otsego Historic and Preservation Society has researched historical data
to aid with naming the park. Park names are to aid in promoting community identity
either through recognition of a person or place of local historical significance or based
on a natural feature of the specific park. The City's Heritage Preservation Commission
has in the past provided recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission on
the naming of parks. After researching the historical significance of the area where the
park is located, the OHPS would like to present the Parks and Recreation Commission
with two potential names for the park.
"Northwood Park" is named after Northwood, a planned town site that Oliver Kelly and
his brother designed. It was a `paper town' in that it was developed on paper, with
buildings, streets, etc. There were some buildings built but this was a time of a
significant economic recession and the town was never completed.
The Oliver Kelly farm is just across the river from Wildflower Meadows. There was
some sort of cable connection across the river to this site. Also the west river bank
provided special clay used to polish silver. We believe the Excelsior Polish Company,
an Oliver Kelly business, sold this product.
"Roskaft Park" would be named after Ing and 011ie Roskaft who previously owned
much of the land that is now Wildflower Meadows. They lived in the Otsego area for
50+ years. Ing was very active in local government — he was on the planning
commission for Otsego Township and city and was on the Wright county board.
The above are only snapshots of information to help you make your choice. OHPC
would thoroughly research whichever name you choose so that the signage would be
complete and accurate.
Conclusion:
Staff is requesting that the Parks and Recreation Commission review the material and
make a recommendation to the City Council on naming the park located in the
Wildflower Meadows Development.
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