To the editor:

German Park is really going to be nice with the addition of the amphitheater.

But I am trying to figure out why someone would give the OK to cut down two young, beautiful, healthy shade trees. There was only one bench at the fountain that was shaded between 1 and 4 p.m. daily. But since these two trees have been removed there is no shade on any benches until 4:30 p.m. So sitting next to the fontain during the day in the shade is not longer an option for visitors.

I care for a young man with disabilities. He loves to sit next to the water fountain where he can listen and see the water flow, as well as watch the people. He gets great joy from our time at German Park. And since the COVID-19 outbreak we are only doing outdoor activities, which in New Ulm are few for a person in a wheelchair due to accessibility. So it wasn’t unusual to visit the park three or four times a week between 12 and 5:30 p.m. But now with the shade trees gone this is no longer a joy for him. Sitting under the pavilion 20-30 feet from the water is not fun. He has been very upset and has cried over the change. He doesn’t tolerate the sun, so sitting without shade by the fountain is not an option.

So do people that make these decisions even use the park or come down to the park to see how things are being used? If you wanted to add more flowers there are flowers that don’t require so much sun.

German Park was close and easy to access. Now we are having to drive to Mankato 25 miles to sit by the Minneopa waterfalls almost 4-5 times a week. Yes, we did this, but not that often. Or go to Sibley Park in Mankato. They have a very small water fountain he enjoys.

How can one person’s decision take the simple joys away from someone who doesn’t have many in the first place.

Mary Ludewig, RN

New Ulm