[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 10377-10378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRIENDS OF THE PARKS AND TRAILS 
                     OF ST. PAUL AND RAMSEY COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Friends 
of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, on the occasion 
of the 25th anniversary of the organization. Since it was established 
in 1985, this group has been dedicated to serving and promoting parks 
and green spaces in St. Paul, Minnesota, and surrounding communities.
  Executive Director Peggy Lynch has been there every step of the way, 
first leading a group of citizens to found the organization to keep a 
massive high-rise development out of Hidden Fall/Crosby Regional Park 
in order to preserve green space for everyone in our community. The 
Friends of the Parks and

[[Page 10378]]

trails has since developed into a broad, membership-supported nonprofit 
group.
  The Friends of the Parks has proven their commitment to St. Paul and 
Ramsey County parks by promoting open space preservation, protection, 
improvement, and development of new parks. And as a vital member of the 
community the Friends of the Parks have successfully laid the 
foundation for lasting change by working with St. Paul and Ramsey 
County to require no ``net loss'' of parkland in any deals the city or 
county makes, and also helped to create city and county park 
commissions.
  Parks are essential to Minnesotans. They not only provide 
recreational opportunities and a connection to the natural world, they 
also provide employment, economic development and increase property 
values. For 25 years, the Friends of the Parks and Trails have been 
serving my community, ensuring that all Minnesotans have the 
opportunity to benefit from the positive resources provided by parks. 
This deserves our thanks, support and commendation.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in rising to honor the 25th anniversary 
of the Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County, 
Peggy Lynch, and all its members and volunteers for their hard work and 
constant dedication to ensuring parks and green space are available for 
all to enjoy.

                          ____________________