Winter Ski Trails

It may have been 'Spring' but we still had snow!

Our staff spent 74 hours grooming this Spring. The total number of hours for the season was 400.

Buckthorn Removal Project

Stearns County Parks, in partnership with Great River Greening and National Wild Turkey Federation, is undertaking restoration of 90 acres of Quarry Park forest, wetland, and rock outcrops.

The main focus of the work is the removal of non-native invasive buckthorn through a 3-year sustained effort of cutting, spraying, and goat browsing. Volunteers will assist with controlling overabundant aspen on the perimeter of the buckthorn units. Through this process, we will be releasing the oaks and several rare species from the scourge of buckthorn and returning the habitat mosaic to a state where its high ecological value can be maintained more easily.

Funding provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as part of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

Proposed Park Property

The County Board authorized the Park Staff to continue working with Pheasants Forever to complete the acquisition of property located in Wakefield Township.

This property is located just south of the Cold Spring city limits. It lies along the shores of where Knaus Lake (Chain of Lakes) transitions back to the Sauk River. The property consists of approximately 253 acres and has approximately 5,400 feet of shoreline on the Sauk River.

2023 Maple Syrup Season

This was a very low sap season for the Wildwood Ranch at Kraemer Lake - Wildwood County Park. March was cold and then the three days of hot weather in April finished the season. There were 930 taps on vacuum and approximately 100 on gravity tubing. There were seven boils between March 10 and April 14 with 200 gallons of finished syrup made.

The Wildwood Ranch Maple Syrup was award winning! The batch of dark, robust syrup won first place at the Minnesota Maple meeting and the amber won 4^th place.

Beaver Island Trail

Stearns County Parks is planning construction of approximately four miles of 10-foot-wide grade separated bituminous surfaced recreational trail that will begin this summer.

The trail connects the City of St. Cloud’s section of the Beaver Island Trail near Opportunity Drive to the existing trail in the City of Clearwater.

A tree removal project took place the last week of March.

Mighty Mississippi River CleanUp

Stearns County was challenged by Goodhue County and the City of Red Wing to cleanup the Mississippi River in our area.

Thank you to Waste Management for donating the use of a dumpster for volunteers and local residents to dispose of the garbage they found in or along the river.

Local archery clubs and scouts picked up trash in both Mississippi River and Heims Mill County Parks.

Kids to Parks Day

Stearns County Parks celebrated Kids to Parks Day at Quarry Park in May.

There were stations from various community sponsors throughout the park with different activities for kids.

Disc Golf Baskets

There are new baskets on the Disc Golf Course at Mississippi River County Park.

The St. Cloud Disc Golf Club donated $3,000 toward the 18 new Mach 7 Disc Golf Baskets.

Twelve volunteers spent a total of 18 hours installing the baskets.

Stearns County Parks Coloring and Activity Book

Stearns County Parks has a new coloring and activity book thanks to the creativity and collaboration of Lisa Kramer-Beuning in Stearns County Administration.

With a little help from her sister, Lisa researched, developed, and drew the story of Stu the Squirrel and his friends exploring parks and trails in Stearns County.

Didn't get a copy of the new book? Download the Stearns County Parks Coloring and Activity Book (PDF) and join Stu the Squirrel in his fun adventures through the Stearns County Parks and Trails! Copies can also be picked up at the Park Office. 

Maintenance Projects

Our Maintenance Staff is doing an excellent job of keeping our parks and trails clean, safe, scenic, and functional for the residents of Stearns County. Here are a few examples of the Spring Projects.

• Grooming ski trails and walking trails
• Ski light repairs
• Snow plowing
• Equipment maintenance
• Park rounds
• Swim buoy installation
• Archery range pergolas
• Trout stocking
• Trail cleaning

Staff Trainings

Employee safety is a high priority. Staff are required to attend many different types of trainings. Here are a few examples of the trainings completed this Spring.

• Chainsaw
• Fire refresher
• Gopher One
• Respirator fit test
• Herbicide license renewals
• Safety inspections
• First Aid/CPR 

Parks Email            |           320-255-6172           |           Parks Website

"Enhancing quality of life while preserving our natural treasures"