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Something New To Do This Summer:
Visit Blaine’s Open Spaces!
July/August 2012
Schwan’s USA Cup, 3M Championship Return to Town this Summer
One of the best kept secrets in our beautiful city is the dedicated open spaces scattered throughout town. There are 13 of these areas ranging in size from 7 acres to over 500 acres, with a total of about 800 acres. Included are some locations most people are familiar with, such as Pioneer Park, Lochness Park, and Laddie Lake Park. Others you may drive by everyday and think it is just another piece of land waiting to be developed. In 2001, City of Blaine voters passed a $3.5 million bond referendum to purchase and improve land for dedication as open space. These natural areas were spared from development to stand as examples of what the area looked like before we all moved in, to preserve habitat for the flora and fauna of the area, and offer a place of natural beauty for quiet enjoyment. Under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Department, lands were identified using criteria that included exceptional vegetation communities, diversity of ecosystems, and representative native species. Not all of the lands purchased were in the best of condition at first. In 2007, with the guidance of then Parks Director Jim Peterson, an Open Space Management Plan was developed by Great River Greening and adopted by the City Council. This plan provided a blueprint to improve the natural condition of these open space areas by eradicating, as much as possible, invasive plant species, making it possible for the native species to flourish. This effort is ongoing and making significant progress toward the goal of preserving beautiful destinations for Blaine residents to enjoy a quiet walk and observe the natural features of the land. The responsibility to oversee and manage this restorative work has been given to the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), a citizen board appointed by the Mayor and City Council to provide advice on protecting and preserving the City’s open spaces. One of the many functions of the NRCB is to make the public aware of these natural jewels and encourage people to visit them. To help accomplish that goal they have recently established the Open Space of the Month cont’d on page 7
Blaine will become a popular destination once again this summer, as tens of thousands of visitors come to the city for two major annual sporting events. The popular Schwan’s USA Cup, billed as the largest soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, will bring 13,000 players on 950 teams from 22 states and 16 countries to the National Sports Center from July 13-21. Special traffic controls will be in place on both 105th Avenue and Davenport Street near the National Sports Center. The 3M Championship will celebrate its 12th year at the Tournament Players Club - Twin Cities this year. The 2012 tournament runs July 30-August 5, and features several days of events leading up to three days of stroke play golf on the weekend. The tournament continues to be immensely successful in terms of both accolades and attendance. The 3M Championship won the prestigious Champions Tour Presidents’ Award as the best tournament of the 2009 season. In 2008, it was voted the No. 1 Champions Tour event by the golfers. The annual tournament has also donated more than $17.5 million to local charities since 1993.
Free Admission at 3M Championship The 3M Tournament will have free general admission for the public in 2012. This is the fourth year in a row that the tournament has had free admission, parking, and shuttles. Public parking is available at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Detailed information is available at www.3mchampionship.com.