4.0. PRSR 10-09-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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16826 232nd Avenue Big Lake, MN 55309 October 8, 1996 Mr. Dana Anderson Elk River Park&Recreation Commission, Chairperson 8720 Ohland Avenue Elk River, MN 55330 Dear Mr. Anderson: This letter is to advise you and to make record of a vicious situation that took place on Saturday, October 5 at the ballpark near Lake Orono in Elk River. There were several youth football games scheduled to take place and I was there to attend my godchild's game for the first time. The football fields were positioned in the outfield of several softball diamonds allowing minimal room between the two areas. With me were two of my sons, Jeffrey 9 years of age and David 1 1/2 years of age. In an effort to entertain my youngest son, my oldest son and niece played catch with him using a soft plush material ball. In keeping one eye on them and still trying to watch my godson's game,I noticed a male individual pick up a plastic trash can from the entrance to the fenced area and throw it. This caught my attention, wondering what he was going to do. Suddenly I realized, as he stampeded toward my children,that he was yelling uncontrollably at them, "How many times do I have to tell you, get off the field..." and proceeded to verbally attack them. I grabbed my 1 V2 year old and escorted my very shook-up older son to their grandfather to watch so I could address this unacceptable behavior. When I went to the concession stand and asked for this person, another women asked what's the problem. They both knew, as he would not even come out of the back room at first. I told the women what he had done and she replied tensely that they have asked time and time again to stay off of the infields. I told her that I did not know. Her actions, and his, implied that I ignored them and their P.A. announcements at the beginning of the games. This was my first time to this park and I had just arrived shortly before. I told them,while being very upset and stern, that all they would have had to have done was ask and/or explain to them to move and we all would have understood and respected their request. The female then felt it necessary to reprimand everyone at the park over the P.A. sytem, not once but at least twice. After talking further with her and in a telephone conversation with David Anderson on October 7, both parties seemed to think I need to understand where they are coming from. If I understand in their terms,they expect me to tolerate volunteers verbally attacking small children,yelling uncontrollably in their face. I hope the City of Elk River does not feel the same way. • I sincerely apologize for any alleged damage to the softball field that my two children may have caused while playing catch on them and just being kids, not criminals.