What will your legacy be? Are you interested in making Albert Lea better than you found it? There are many ways to post a legacy — one of which is to give a gift to your community that contributes to your own quality of life and then keeps on giving to future generations. Some of the amenities you may already be enjoying have come from the vision and generosity of community members. We appreciate the donations that provided beautiful fountains in the lake, the playground equipment at various parks that your children or grandchildren play on, the Pioneer Park shelter, and the new children’s garden at Fountain Lake Park.

The City is in the process of creating a “wish book” of sorts. This is not a new concept as many communities have used a similar idea to let people know how they can help create a more dynamic city and leave their mark on the future. There are many different levels of giving for individuals and groups. Here are some possible opportunities: A beautiful granite bench at Edgewater Park, with your name on it, would provide a place to relax and observe nature around you. The hundreds of people that sit on that bench will recognize the effort you made toward their enjoyment. Maybe you have considered public art or planting trees as a legacy project. An outdoor sculpture or fountain is an exciting way for you to add vibrancy to the downtown and sends the message that Albert Lea is an artist-friendly and attractive tourist destination. Planting a tree benefits the environment and can commemorate the birth of a child or honor a loved one’s memory. There are practical needs as well, things that will increase our safety and even save lives. Law enforcement needs replacement defibrillators, an infrared camera, and a SWAT team van. A more sizable project such as the North Broadway / Water Street plaza could be completed through estate planning. Big or small, your gift will make a difference in the quality of life we enjoy and the life we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren.

With state budget cuts, and a decline in revenue sources, we need creative ways to fund the things that represent and promote the good life in Albert Lea and also those things we could really use but are unable to provide.

When the wish book is completed, please take a moment to consider some of the great opportunities you can participate in, or, if you have ideas you want to share call our Community Development office anytime. Together we can make some wishes come true!

Randy Erdman is the mayor of Albert Lea. His column appears once a month.