November 20, 2004
Andrea Lex, 763-557-5244
al@lexiconcomm.com
Manager Kulak finishes 30 years of service to the
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board
Bloomington, Minn.
– Aileen Kulak, Bloomington, has just retired from the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board of Managers, finishing up her most recent three-year term. As the very first woman to serve on a watershed board of managers in the state of Minnesota, Kulak feels she has made a lasting contribution to protect our water resources. When it is mentioned that she was the first woman to serve as a manager, Kulak shrugs, as if it is no big deal, but also gives a knowing smile as she remembers some of the harmless comments she received from her male counterparts.Kulak became involved in water issues many years ago when there were proposals to build radio towers in the wetlands near Marsh Lake in Bloomington, right across the street from her home. She joined a study group to determine the effect of draining the wetlands and building those radio towers. Because of her involvement with this committee, she then became involved with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District.
Kulak was born in Minneapolis and grew up near Lake of the Isles. She moved to Bloomington in 1948 with her husband Walter Kulak, who was a sportsman and a preservationist. "Since I had the pleasure of enjoying the lakes in South Minneapolis, I hope I made a contribution to future generations so they can enjoy all of our lakes and creeks," Kulak says.
In a highly urbanized watershed district, the challenge continues to be redevelopment. "It has been a matter of protecting our lakes and parks and the creek itself, and rebuilding roads, parking lots, new residential and commercial buildings around our natural resources. It's different than putting virgin land into preservation. It's a fine balance, but I think I’ve been able to maintain that balance," she notes.
"Serving has been a privilege. When you go down to Bush Lake and see families walking around,
looking at the lake, enjoying nature, it gives you a real good feeling to know that you helped to preserve that!" Kulak says with pride. Kulak's advice to the public regarding Minnesota’s beautiful natural resources: "Treasure them, preserve them and use them!"Residents of the Watershed District are invited to attend the Board of Managers' regular meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square. Starting in January, the managers will meet at Edina City Hall. Any resident interested in water issues may attend the Citizen’s Advisory Committee meetings also on the third Wednesday of each month, at 6:30 p.m. at the same location (unless otherwise noted). The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District covers an area of about 50 square miles and includes most of Edina and Bloomington, and parts of Minnetonka, Hopkins, Eden Prairie and Richfield. The Watershed District will be publishing a 2005 Calendar with photos from the winners of the 2004 Photo Contest later this year. Calendars will be available, free of cost, at local city halls and libraries in late December 2004 and early January 2005. For more information, or to see the map, visit the website at www.ninemilecreek.org.
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