 Fall 2023 Volume 6, Issue 4
FALL / AUTUMN: au·tumn (‘ôdem) noun;
The third season of the year, when crops and fruits are gathered and leaves fall. "The countryside is ablaze with color in autumn."
Beaver Island Trail Construction
 Stearns County Parks maintains and operates the section of the Beaver Island Trail from Opportunity Drive to the City of Clearwater.
Construction began early September on a 10-foot-wide grade separated bituminous surfaced recreational trail. There are a few minor details to complete, but the trail is currently open for hikers, bikers, and non-motorized vehicles. Snowmobiles are allowed on the trail between December 1 and March 31.
The Grand Opening is being planned for next year.
The County’s section of the Beaver Island Trail connects to the current trail in the City of Clearwater. The City of St. Cloud is developing the section of trail from River Bluffs Regional Park to Opportunity Drive and that will connect to the County's section.
Funding for the Project
- Federal Transportation Alternatives Program
- Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment (Parks & Trails Legacy Grant Program)
- Stearns County CIP Funds
Parks and Trails Master Plan Phase 2 Survey
 Over 1,200 people responded to the Stearns County Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan Phase 1 survey earlier this year. The first phase of engagement included gathering input on the existing parks and trails system.
The Phase 2 survey gathered feedback on priorities for future investments and investment strategies for Stearns County.
The Stearns County Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan will guide future investments and initiatives over the next 10 to 20 years.
The Goats came back!
 Goats made their debut at Quarry Park in June and then came back again in October for their second grazing season. The goats grazed an estimated 90% of the buckthorn that was located in the 10 acres. The goats were placed in the same locations to graze on any regrowth.
The goats are a part of the restoration efforts towards restoring the native forest. The focus of the project is the removal of non-native invasive buckthorn through a 3-year sustained effort of cutting, spraying, and goat browsing.
Stearns County Parks is partnering with Great River Greening, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Minnesota DNR.
Funding for the project is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
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Archery Range at Mississippi River Closed
The Park Department was notified early in the year that arrows had been found on private property adjacent to the Mississippi River County Park.
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In the Spring, staff installed pergolas at each archery station. Signs were posted to remind archers that bows must be drawn so arrows are parallel to the ground.
Staff reviewed safety guidelines, best practices, rules, and regulations from State statues, DNR recommendations, and insurance requirements.
Unfortunately, arrows were again found on private property in October.
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Whether it was caused by carelessness, improper use of bows, or some other negligence, it was decided for everyone’s safety to close the archery range.
The Parks Department is pursuing Request For Proposals for compliance with state statutes and rules. The future of the range is unknown.
Oak Township archery range remains open.
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Fall Events in the Parks
Lake Wobegon Trail
- 2023 Caramel Apple Ride
- Sacred Heart School 1K/5K Fun Run/Walk
Warner Lake
- Duck Crossing Cyclocross Race
- Clearwater Travel Plaza's Walk for Hope
- Angel Reins 1 Mile/5K Walk Run
Quarry Park
- Free Parking for all Veterans on Veterans Day
- Free Parking on Thanksgiving Day & Friday, November 24
Youth Events:
- Girl Scout Service Unit 26 Day Camp
- Venture School September Field Trip
- Troop 9 Fall Camping
- Terra Nova School Field Trip
- BSA Troop 777 Camping
- Osakis High School Science Field Trip
- Park Play Day Camp at Warner Lake
- Park Play Day Camp at Mississippi River
Fall Maintenance Projects
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Spring Hill County Park
There is a canoe campsite on the east side of the Sauk River in Spring Hill County Park.
The restroom was remodeled by the Park Maintenance Staff with new steel siding, a new designed roof, and a couple of sky lights.
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Dairyland Trail Repairs
A section of the Dairyland Trail had been closed to repair a washout in County Ditch # 9.
The section of the trail was closed between Minnesota Highway 4 and Overton Road in Greenwald.
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Lake Wobegon Trail
Culverts are continuously inspected, cleaned out, and repaired along the Lake Wobegon Trail.
Park Maintenance Staff repaired three sections on the north end of the culvert at Mile Post # 97.2 near Albany.
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Warner Lake County Park
All the parks and trails get a good ‘Fall Cleaning’ in preparation for the winter season. This year Warner Lake County Park received a little bit more attention.
The trails were cleared of trees and branches in preparation for ski season.
The prairie area was brush mowed.
The open play area between the parking lot and the beach was slit seeded. Slit seeding allows the seed to get deeper in the soil for better growth.
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The Nature Center chimney was cleaned and small repairs were done to the outside of the building.
The posts by the parking lot were replaced and additional landscaping was completed.
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A donated bench was installed to the east of the building with a beautiful view of Warner Lake.
The Nature Center is available year-round and can be reserved online: Online Recreation Catalog
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Swim Quarry #11
The wooden platform at Swim Quarry #11 in Quarry Park has been around since 2015 and needed an upgrade.
 Over the years, some of the boards were getting rotten and the surface was very slippery when wet, which is not a good thing on a swimming platform!
Maintenance Staff removed the slippery old deck boards and replaced them with a non-slip, plastic deck material. New ladders were also installed.
Kraemer Lake - Wildwood
Trail cleaning involves more than just picking up trash.
Fall is a great time to trim trees and remove dead branches. This makes it safer for hikers and makes room for the groomers.
We're always looking for Volunteers to clean trails. Sign up on the Online Recreation Catalog: Volunteer Opportunities and then Fall Opportunities.
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Ski Patrol Registration
Registration for Ski Patrol began October 18.
Ski Patrol is a group of volunteers that patrol the cross-country ski trails from December through February and report on the conditions.
The outstanding quality of our cross-country ski trails wouldn't be possible without the help of our dedicated Ski Patrol Volunteers!
Interested in volunteering? Register for Ski Patrol
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Mark your Calendar
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2024 Moonlight Ski
Friday, January 5, 2024 from 5 pm to 8 pm
Quarry Park, 1802 County Road 137, Waite Park, MN 56387
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