by Erin Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers

Friends of Patrick Eagan Park, the Carriage Hills Coalition, Friends of Diamond T Property -- for every development proposed on open land in Eagan, it seems a protest group is formed in response.

With the city more than 90 percent developed, it is no surprise that some residents are passionate about protecting remaining green space.

Realizing that there is strength in numbers, seven local activist groups have decided to join forces as the Eagan Open Space Coalition to take their preservation efforts to the next level.

Group leaders met on May 19 at the Eagan Community Center to sign a statement of understanding, called "One Voice, One Cause,î that establishes the coalition's mission and core values.

As David Brunet, a member of Friends of the Eagan Core Greenway, spoke to the group, he looked out the window of the community center and pointed to a Solitary Sandpiper.

"This is what preserving open space is all about,î he said.

The issues of each group may be independent, but these groups have a singularity of opinion about open space, said Carriage Hills Coalition member Mel Wong.

The coalition claims to have about 1,000 members, which it hopes will give the preservation effort a greater voice and a greater reach.

"Clearly there is strength in unity through a common voice, and there is strength in numbers,î said Eagan Core Green‚way member Jack Conrad. "The (city) council will listen to 1,000 people more than they will five or 10.î

According to coalition members, too many "unscrupulous outside developersî have been given free reign in the community, and too many controversial developments have been given a green light.

Preservationists were dealt two blows recently with the approval of a housing development on the former Diamond T Ranch and a court order that could allow Carriage Hills Golf Course to also become housing.

But Mayor Pat Geagan points to preservation success stories that the city has been a part of, including the Caponi Art Park and the nine-acre Anderson parcel that was added to Patrick Eagan Park.

"The developers will tell you just the opposite -- we're too tough on them,î he said. "I think people have a hard time understanding that if someone owns property that they want to develop and they meet all the regulations, they can develop it. We have no choice.î

Geagan said he believes Eagan has done a good job of preserving green space.

"I would venture to say, just based on acreage, that Eagan has more green space than most communities,î he said. "I think overall the city has certainly made an effort for green space.î

The Eagan Open Space Coalition wants to take those preservation efforts to the next level, Conrad said. By forming an umbrella group, it will be harder for developers to dismiss the issues, he said.

"We're not just NIMBYs (not in my backyard). We can't be written off,î he said.

For more information on the Eagan Open Space Coalition, visit www.friendsoftheeagancoregreenway.org.

Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

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