Greetings friends of Congdon Park Hockey!  In February 2017, Congdon Park Hockey started a petition to "Keep Congdon Park Hockey at Lower Chester Park." The petition was created in response to competing interests at the park that could have resulted in elimination of one of the rinks at Lower Chester, and thus the displacement of the youth hockey program and ultimate demise of the Congdon Park Hockey Association. We thank the community for responding to the petition in such numbers and with such passion. The petition worked to grab the attention of the City of Duluth, its Parks and Recreation Department and members of the Duluth City Council.  Since the petition was created, Congdon's Board of Directors has been meeting regularly with City of Duluth officials to explain our needs and discuss options. Just this week the City proposed a new concept for the future of the park, and we're happy to report that the concept includes two large rinks. This is great news for Congdon Park Hockey, hockey in the City of Duluth, and the community generally. But..... WE NEED YOUR HELP! While this is great news, it is important to note that this is simply a concept. The next stage in the process is a community listening session. We need your support at this meeting, as the Parks Department has the authority to modify the plan based upon community response. In other words, it is vital that the community explain to the City that Lower Chester rinks are used for hockey and pleasure skating. They are used by community members near the rink and surrounding areas. The rinks are used by Congdon Park Hockey and all other hockey associations in the area. The rinks are vital to outdoor hockey in Duluth. The elimination of these rinks would be detrimental to youth hockey in Duluth. If you use the rinks at Lower Chester in any capacity, we need your voice included in this meeting.  The listening session information is as follows:  Thursday, September 14 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM 1417 E 5th St, Duluth, MN 55805-2300 (at Lower Chester Park) We look forward to seeing you there. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions. Sincerely,  Congdon Park Hockey