Anoka names its last big park

Updated: December 9, 2008 - 8:33 PM

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Anoka's last big park has been christened by city officials as the Anoka Park Preserve.

The 200-acre meadow and woodland, designated a park earlier this year by the council, sits on the north end of the city. It borders Andover on the east and north and the Rum River and Ramsey on the west.

After discussing the river's history at a Dec. 1 meeting, the City Council approved the name, as recommended by the park board. The city's budget for 2009 includes $50,000 to plan trails, benches and other features in the park, said Public Works Director Greg Lee.

Council Member Phil Rice said at the meeting that the park deserved a name reflecting the grandness of the big rolling meadow surrounded by woods and the Rum River. He noted that early Indians named the river the Wakan, meaning holy, or Great Spirit. Rice suggested using Wakan in the park's name.

The council decided to mention Wakan in a large interpretive sign bearing the park's new name and explaining park origins. American Indians have said early white settlers, knowing the Indian name meant "spirit," used the Rum River name as a derogatory allusion to alcohol spirits.

JIM ADAMS