I think Vets Park is a better site. There's quite a lot of parking for one thing, and I think Penn Ave. is a little easier to traffic control than Lyndale. Plus it's been home to summer concerts and events like 4th of July for years. Depending on where they place the stage, the Lyndale site could be very close to the many apartment buildings in the area, who's tenants may not be thrilled with the added traffic/noise. Sure, there are homes on Portland Avenue but that effects 10-20 families, who've been exposed to it for as long as they've lived there. One of the Lyndale Apartment buildings likely houses the same amount of people, on top of the adjacent single family dwellings along 64th Street and such.

Veterans Park would be the best place. I'm just curious where it would go there. I read that it may go by the Ice Arena. Not sure about that fit. Are there any proposed sketches available?

I live close to Veterans Park - we have the 4th of July problems every year and the neighbors around here would like to "share the pain" if you could understand. The parking, the noise, the unwelcome folks from other towns (regarding the gang problems if you aren't aware) - there should be different locations for gathering. Didn't it bother anyone else about the comment that Veteran's Park has easy access to freeways? We thought this venue was supposed to be a community one - not attract more people from out of town than live here. We don't go to the fireworks display anymore as most people there are not our neighbors. The current site is nice - lots of neighborhood folks. We are concerned about losing that small town atmosphere once again.

The fact that the population is denser around Lyndale Gardens is an ADVANTAGE. A lot of people can easily walk to that location for a concert. Veteran's Park has enough activity already... spread it around.

I agree with Robert's comment above. I'm thrilled the Garden Center site is being revitalized and I think having a bandshell over there would be fabulous!

Lyndale could use some culture.

I agree with Bob, the Lyndale Gardens site has great potential as a wonderful community gathering spot right in the heart of Richfield, and an ampitheater would complement that area's current and future developments well. Obviously, noise issues would need to be addressed, but it seems that with good planning and design, noise impact could be minimal.

Yes more parking at the VET but Veteran's Park has enough activity already... spread it around. I'll think the Lyndale garden would be a great place...Or I would go out on the Limb and say HOW about Pillsbury Commons Site?

I think the Lyndale Garden Center would be best. It would be a perfect fit for the new "downtown" Richfield they are trying to create. The designs I've seen so far have been great. I love the idea of them opening up Richfield Lake and trails and having a bandshell overlooking it all.

I agree with Renee and strongly oppose Vets park. Here is why: I live close to park. One of the main reasons I and my family fell in love with this area is the access to the park, I very much enjoy the marsh/natural eco system of the park. This park is already busy with the current visitors for the Ice Arena and the Richfield Pool. Building a bandshell at park will increase noise pollution around our neighborhood and create major nuisances by bringing in subpar individuals that which we regularly face during July 4th weekend. This bandshell will make it even worse by having events more frequently.

The bandshell would greatly disturb the delicate eco system and wild life that live in and around the marsh. The Richfield Commission must seriously consider these issues, and needs to find another spot for the bandshell, in order to spread the city of Richfield’s events and activities across the city, thereby not focusing everything at or around Veteran’s Memorial Park.

The bandshell will have a negative impact on the already looming single family property values. The city of Richfield needs to invest taxpayer dollars into things that will increase property values (i.e. more high-end stores, new commercial construction, and centralizing commercial properties, keeping residential areas residential) and not continue to decrease them.

Time to talk $$$$. At the October Richfield Arts Commission meeting, a gentleman involved with Vets Park Bandshell committee addressed us on the progress of this project.(City Website has the minutes). Then he proceded with a request. "What I need from you people are names of those that can donate $10,000 for thisproject."

"You people" ? That phrase is an automatic turn off of my listening switch. It's a turn off in general. BTW, the price tag of the Vets Park Bandshell is over $1,000,000, some of which will come from the city & residents.

Some RAC members also met with the Cornerstone Group, saw the proposal & plans for the performance stage at Lyndale Gardens. Funding for this could come from grants available in MN & other sources available. Cornerstone seems to be more connected with funding sources & more organized in getting this done. Sorry, I don't know what the final cost is, but I'm pretty sure Cornerstone won't be asking "You People" for $10,000 donations.

What would be absolutely hilarious is if both were built. Then Richfield would have the Vets Park bandshell & the Lyndale Gardens Performance stage. Competition!!!

Based on what I know, what I've seen and both meetings, my choice is Lyndale Gardens!

"You People" indeed!

(You) PEOPLE need to organize and work with Lyndale Garden. The Conner Stone group has it's act together when it comes to finding grant money. It will spread the events and add value to the area. As Deb C. said it would be hilarious if two site were built. If that happens the city looses. Richfield dose not have deep pockets unlike our neighbor to the west. The performing arts center received donations from (THEM) people like the likes of Ron Clark. As Ron Clark has a gift center named after Him. http://www.ci.edina.mn.us/content/facilities/art_center/facilities/clark_gift_shop/index.htm

The other issue is location to a central business district . Having it at Lyndale Gardens would help create 66th and Lyndale as a destination and would help encourage restaurants and other business to locate there.