It’s purpose is to keep pedestrians from crossing that street willy-nilly. If its visual impact conjures images of a freeway sound barrier, well, so be it, I guess.

BIKE-TRAIL'S TAIL WAGS THE DOG: Plans also call for a regional bike trail to weave around the stadium. Not enough room for a ballpark in the first place, and it has to accommodate the bicycle crowd besides? Hello? Hello? Anybody home here?

What’s more, the biking folks think their needs are more pressing anyway. They think the stadium should accommodate them, not the other way around.

“Can they have a few less feet for grandstands? Can they have a few less concessions?” implored Ruth Jones, a board member for the bike trail delegation.

Jones further told the Star Tribune that she wished her group could have commandeered more site for the trail.

“But we have to work with what we’ve got,” she said.

Don’t we all.

Brian Ojanpa is a Free Press staff writer. Call him at 344-6316 or email bojanpa@mankatofreepress.com.