Other Issues

Although these ideas were brought forth in the Environment category, the Report Team believed they belong in other Envision categories (see also The Complete List and Current Problems).

  • Water - Golden Valley should continue with the current water system from the city of Minneapolis. [14]
  • Establish an environmental pre-school-collaborative with schools, parks, day care centers-that uses Golden Valley natural areas and resources
  • Have more thoughtful, intriguing architecture
  • More walking paths around lakes, ponds, Bassett Creek, and in general. [6]
  • More biking trails throughout Golden Valley. (1 for crushed limestone rather than pavement.) [3]
  • Say no to development in areas that are critical to the long-term environment. Not every square foot needs to be a house, business or parking lot. [3]
  • Trash and recycling system is fine. [3]
  • Water - Golden Valley should drill into the aquifer and secure it's own water source. [3]
  • Do not mix residential and industry together. (Packaging company on 55 and Ardmore spec mention and another general comment.) [2]
  • Slow down traffic on Winnetka Avenue - enforce 30 mph [2]
  • Strive for mature, full-grown, tree lined streets. [2]
  • Use architecture guidelines for renovation and preserve some of the older architecture. [2]
  • Wildlife - Love the amount and diversity of wildlife found within GV, would like to maintain but manage some, as needed i.e. geese, crows and squirrels. [2]
  • "Engineered" lawns require low maintenance. little water, and no chemicals - promote them.
  • Bike trail to Schaper Park (following railroad track)
  • Continue school newsletters informing family and individuals of available environmental classes.
  • Cooperation between city/neighborhoods on environmental issues
  • Create an efficient way to get garbage out of Golden Valley (no dump, no burner, NIMBY)
  • Create paths/sidewalks within city to encourage walking rather than car use for short trips.
  • Do not build any more highways that divide Golden Valley
  • Environment seems fine for now, keep it that way,
  • Environmental education should relate to improving environment; not someone's pet project.
  • Form smaller neighborhood groups focused on determining local park design and developing improvements, such as landscaping, lights, paths, benches, etc.
  • I think the city is doing a good job with ordinances and the public works. By 2014, we should have an idea how the current framework is working and adjust accordingly.
  • Improve the looks of shopping centers (at Highway 55 and Winnetka and Byerlys)
  • Improve trash cleaning for a clean environment
  • Install "Welcome" signs at all city entrances with flowers and slogan
  • Make garbage charges tax deductible
  • Make it more difficulty to drive in GV with smaller, traffic calming arteries.
  • Narrow Glenwood Avenue
  • No snowmobile and ARV use within city limits.
  • No tall radio towers
  • Paths and streets friendly to walkers and safe
  • People should be allowed and encouraged to compost at home (single family units).
  • Prepare for residential homes to add fuel cells.
  • Provide for canoeing of Bassett Creek.
  • Provide park attendants and warming houses for skating
  • Recycling - Update city literature about current practices. Mixing material is acceptable; don't have to separate everything.
  • Reduce car use by utilizing a light rail system and leaving their cars at home to use for regional and interstate travel.
  • Reduce traffic noise of Winnetka Avenue (by reducing speed).
  • Screens on walkways and bike trails to hide the buildings.
  • Strictly enforce zoning laws.
  • Strip malls, with 60's and 70's architecture, replace or renovate with more interesting (looking) modern places
  • Sweeny Lake Beach/boat landing develop into a park
  • Swimmable water quality, from Medicine Lake to Wirth Lake.
  • The lawn fertilizer ordinance is a farce.
  • There is a plasma converter option to reduce waste available for enterprising cities to participate - Startech Inc.
  • Toll booths on Highway 55
  • Traffic controls set to reduce time spent idling (at stoplights, etc), while keeping speeds low enough to be child, pedestrian, and bicycle friendly.
  • Trash - have a less visible trash collection system (away from front of homes)
  • Water - If Golden Valley drills our own well system, I'd like to see it designed with provisions in place to meet stricter water purity regulations for ground water that are sure to develop in the next decades, as opposed to having to "fix" it later.
  • We also need more streetlights in areas where it's really very dark to see a person walking while we are driving.