What Could Happen to the Begin Farmland For Sale in Plymouth?

Looking at space in the city and figuring out what should go where isn't an easy job.

That's why the city of Plymouth, like many other cities, has a comprehensive plan to work on creating space for things like parks and playfields.

The Plymouth Comprehensive Plan includes future neighborhood parks and a potential tenth playfield in northwest Plymouth. Recently the city and neighbors have discovered that the Begin estate is planning to accept bids for the 40-acre property land on the Begin Farm area off Vicksburg Lane North, north of the Spring Meadows housing area. This area could be a possible site for a playfield. Tonight the Plymouth City Council will have a closed meeting (meaning no public or media allowed during discussion) about whether or not the city wants to submit a bid on the property for a potential 10th playfield.

The council looked at this issue during its April 30 and received many emails from people in support of a park/playfield for that property.

In an email reaching to his neighbors and the community, Plymouth resident Chris Empson talks about his communication with the city and what people can do if they support having a playfield put there. 

In his May 1, 2013, email, Empson said:

As most of you know, the Plymouth City Council met last night [April 30] to discuss the Begin property. The update I received from [councilmember] Judy Johnson is as follows:

“There were mixed results, but staff received direction to bring it back to the council at a special meeting for further consideration on May 7. Concerns included the possible costs for the site [and] future need for a park. Offers must be submitted through an RFP process, essentially a blind bid. I spoke strongly in favor of a strong bid to ensure we control the site. Others were wary, given taxpayer dollars."

So this is an urgent matter with more council deliberation coming. The bids are due Thursday, May 9.

Here is what YOU can do to ensure your voice is heard! 

Email your support of the land being preserved as a park/play field area to council@Plymouthmn.gov. 

Reasons you can reference:

1. We cannot go back to preserve open space/land once it's been bought for housing - the time is now to set aside this property for public enjoyment.
2. There has not been an adequate investment in park/play field space in pace with the explosion in new home construction in this area of Plymouth.
3. We do not support the addition of another large concentration of new homes to this area when roads and other infrastructure have not kept pace.
4. There is no park/play field in this area of Plymouth, which has a concentrated number of new families that would use and enjoy it.
5. I support the use of my city tax dollars to be spent on this property. 

PLEASE EMAIL ASAP AS THE NEXT MEETING IS MAY 7 AND ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON MAY 7th IN PERSON.

Additional Steps:

1. We have already reached out to other contacts in the surrounding subdivisions including Seven Greens, Taryn Hills and Woodcrest. Please forward this information to others in nearby developments and ask them to rally behind this cause.
2. We are also reaching out to local youth sports associations to ask for their support since many of them will be benefiting from the use of the new fields. If you have contacts at these organizations or know of others, please reach out to them.
a. Plymouth Soccer Association
b. Plymouth/Wayzata Football
c. Plymouth/Wayzata Youth Baseball Wayzata Baseball Association

Some in the area fear more housing would not be a good thing for this area of Plymouth.

What do you think? Would you rather see a playfield/park, housing or something else? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!