Letter - Oct 2024

DON’T WRECK PAVILION WITH NEW PLAN
We have lived near Como Park for 35 years. We visit most days. Over two decades we have seen crowds grow significantly at the Pavilion with the addition of a variety of musical performances, most of them free of charge. Neighbors walk to the pavilion, bring their children, their dogs, busloads come from surrounding communities… and we together enjoy the plentiful outdoor performance space. Hundreds sit on benches listening to music, at picnic tables eating their food… a surprising amount of dancing, children running around, dogs in tow, and still plenty of room for someone using a cane, walker or wheelchair. A real sense of community.
When we look at the plan to “improve” the pavilion, we see a plan that completely ignores or dismisses what has been successful! It tries to force into being a new restaurant, when past attempts to make this a restaurant destination have not been successful. Food isn’t the main draw. The typical pavilion user doesn’t live that far away, and probably isn’t looking to spend a lot on their food purchase. Imposing this vision will ruin the venue for those hundreds of people who currently use and enjoy it. This is a plan put forth by people who have dreams of something other than what has already proven to be what the community supports.
PLEASE stop and listen to people who know and love the pavilion, and do a reality check before investing millions. We have an extraordinary outdoor performance venue, and we should be looking for ways to amplify its success. The plans that have been presented will destroy the success that has grown organically over time, another example of a development project with good intentions, but not looking carefully at the reality.
Sheila Loger
Hamline-Midway