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<br />Mayor Piercy and Members of City Council: <br /> <br />My name is Alec Meadows and I am an 8th grade student at Prairie Mountain School. I didn't know Nick <br />or any of the other boys that have drowned in the Golden Garden Ponds. A lot of people, like me, think <br />that if a park is made or an area is considered to be a park, than it should be a clean and safe environment. <br /> <br />I have never been to the ponds, but most people who have, say they are filthy, with garbage and masses of <br />vegetation below the waters. Does that sound like a clean, safe environment to you? I wouldn't think so. <br /> <br />Our 8th grade class has decided to do our part to help. Weare planning a field trip to the ponds so that we <br />can clean it up a little and add plants and trees to make it more of an enjoyable place to be. We don't want <br />to have dirty, unsafe, and smelly area that people consider to be a park. <br /> <br />Some ways we think you can help would be to make a shore line that allows someone who chooses to go <br />into the water, a way to get out quickly and safely. We don't expect you to do all of the work because we <br />are also willing to help clean up. We also want to have a fundraiser so we can raise enough money to put <br />a memorial in the park to honor the boys that have lost their lives and also raise awareness that several <br />kids have died in these deadly waters. <br /> <br />I would like you to picture yourself in someone else's shoes. You are walking next to the ponds and a <br />friend decides to jokingly push you into the water just to be funny. You try to get out but you can't find a <br />good grip and even though you are close to the water's edge, the water is so deep you can't touch. Soon <br />you start to panic and the weeds get a hold of you. Someone sees what is happening; sees you struggling <br />in the water and luckily he has a cell phone. You see help is on the way but they can't get to you because <br />there is no access to the pond you are taking every last breath in. You're last thought is why me? Why <br />now? This has to be a dream. The thoughts end and you're life has come to a sudden and unexpected end. <br /> <br />Please help us make the Golden Garden Ponds a safe place for everyone who chooses to visit this area we <br />call, a park. <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br />Alec Meadows <br />