 Summer 2024 Volume 7, Issue 3
SUMMER: /sum·mer | \’se-mer \ Noun; “the hottest of the four seasons; at the summer solstice, the days are longest and the nights are shortest.”
 Stearns County Parks, Trails, & Recreation Master Plan
Stearns County Parks worked with the consulting firm, HKGi to develop the Stearns County Parks, Trails & Recreation Master Plan.
Stearns County is home to 160,000 residents that reside in 30 cities and 34 townships. The County’s parks and trails provide local and regional facilities that cater to a variety of users. The plan will guide future investments in the County’s parks, trails, and recreation for the next 10 to 20 years.
The County’s recreation facilities are outdoor and nature-oriented, focusing on water access, hiking, biking, ski trails, picnicking, fishing, nature viewing, and other non-city recreation. The County partners with many user groups, as well as other local, state, federal, non-profit, and private groups to enhance parks and trails and provide recreation programs and services.
As part of the master plan process, public input was encouraged through two surveys.
- Phase 1 survey gathered input on the existing parks and trails system. Over 1,200 people responded to the first survey.
- Phase 2 survey gathered feedback on priorities for future investments and investment strategies for Stearns County.
The Park Commission approved the plan in March and the Stearns County Board approved the plan on June 4, 2024.
The document can be found on the Stearns County Parks Planning-Development webpage.
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Chain of Lakes County Park
Pheasants Forever and many other agencies joined forces to create the new Stearns County Park along the Sauk River Chain of Lakes, just south of the city of Cold Spring.
“Centered on wildlife habitat conservation with a vision for community infrastructure, the sprawling property will include an adjoining seven-acre plot slated for a possible boat landing, picnic shelter, bathrooms, a fishing pier and primitive camping. The park will be the first in Stearns County to allow small game and archery deer hunting for the public. Plans are currently underway for wetland and prairie restorations on the farmland portion of the property. The new park also contains wooded areas, a trout stream and a heron rookery.” (Pheasants Forever News Release June 25, 2024)
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The Parks Department is developing a management plan for the 249-acre parcel, focusing on a multitude of recreational activities. A public meeting was held on August 29, 2024.
The park will be closed to hunting until Fall 2025.
The Chain of Lakes County Park is located at 16163 County Road 49 in Cold Spring.
Mountain Bike Trails at Quarry Park
The Mid Minnesota Cycling Club is working toward developing 10 miles of professionally built single track mountain bike trails at Quarry Park. The project cost is estimated to be $800,000.
The Club is conducting a $200,000 fundraising campaign to cover the match for a Legacy Fund Grant Application. This summer, the Park Commission recommended, and the County Board approved submitting the grant application.
Members of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and the Mid Minnesota Cycling Club had a site visit at Quarry Park on August 12, 2024. The GMRPTC’s funding recommendation is expected by the end of the year.
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Park and Trail Enhancement Funding
The Stearns County Board of Commissioners has allocated one time funding in the amount of $200,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to assist Stearns County townships and small cities (population of less than 400) with development, replacement, or improvement of parks, recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, or open space.
Funding Criteria
- Must assist with development, replacement or improvement of parks, recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, or open space. Funding can NOT be used for ongoing operation or maintenance of parks, trails, recreational facilities, playgrounds or open space.
- A 50% cash match is required for all projects. The maximum funding award per project is $50,000. (Township Parkland Dedication funding can be used for the match and balances can be found at https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/1632/Parkland-Dedication under the Summary of available Parkland Dedication Funds heading)
- Townships and small cities (population less than 400) are eligible for funding.
- A township or small city must be located in Stearns County and may only submit one application for this funding.
- Projects must be located within an existing public area/facility.
- Funding is intended for projects such as picnic shelters, playgrounds and items consistent with the Stearns County Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan. Funds are not intended to be used for projects such as pools or splash pads or other items not consistent with the Parks Master Plan.
- Funding priority will be given to projects that are in areas of the County in which there are gaps in recreational facilities and amenities, as identified in the Stearns County’s Parks, Trails and Recreation Master Plan.
Project applications will be accepted through November 1, 2024.
ARPA Park and Trail Enhancement Funding Application
Nature and Scenic Area Grant
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Stearns County Parks has received grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Natural and Scenic Area Grant Program for the acquisition of 202 acres located just south of the City of Paynesville.
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Photo: Image from MLT Base Line Property Report
Stearns County is working with the MN DNR to finalize the grant paperwork and then will begin the acquisition process with the landowner. Since the property is still privately owned, public access is not yet available.
Acquisition Funding:
- Property Appraised Value - $893,000
- Linda Liestman (Landowner) Donation - $293,000
- Acquisition Cost after Donation - $600,000
Funding Breakdown:
- MN DNR Natural and Scenic Area Grant - $300,000
- Paynesville Community Members Donation - $150,000
- Stearns County’s Funding Contribution - $150,000
Goats in Quarry Park
The goats have returned for a second season of browsing at Quarry Park. Goats provide a unique approach to buckthorn control that reduces the use of herbicide on the landscape, helps mimic historical grazing by elk and bison herds, and they are fun to watch!
Stearns County Parks, in partnership with Great River Greening, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Minnesota DNR, is undertaking restoration of 90 acres of Quarry Park forest, wetland, and rock outcrops. The focus of this project is the removal of invasive buckthorn through a 3-year sustained effort of cutting, spraying, and browsing. The continued control of buckthorn will benefit the many native plant and wildlife species in Quarry Park.
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Archery Range Opened in August
The archery range was closed in October of 2023 because arrows were found on private property adjacent to the Mississippi River County Park. Whether it was caused by carelessness, improper use of bows, or some other negligence, it was decided that the archery range would be closed until further evaluation was completed.
Staff reviewed safety guidelines, best practices, rules, and regulations from State statues, DNR recommendations, and insurance requirements. An engineering firm was hired to complete an independent review of the archery range. All reviews showed the range is in compliance with safety regulations. However, additional safety modifications were implemented.
- A dirt berm has been put in place behind the archery bags.
- The archery lanes were moved closer together and at a different angle.
- Pergolas were installed at each archery station.
- Signs were added to remind archers that bows must be drawn so arrows are parallel to the ground.
This archery range is a PRIVILEGE. Please RESPECT facilities and others to ensure continued use. If you see improper use or negligence of the range, please call Sheriff Dispatch (Non-Emergency) at 320-251-4240 and Report a Problem to the Park Office.
Maintenance
General Maintenance projects during the Summer included:
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- Mowing
- Trail cleaning, trimming branches, and repairs
- Grading roads and parking lots
- Hauling beach sand
- Equipment maintenance
- Noxious Weed Management
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Maintenance Projects this summer included:
- Patching, crack filling, and seal coating on the Lake Wobegon Trail
- Seal coating the entrance road and trail to the shelter at Two Rivers Lake County Park
- Oak savanna restoration at the southern end of Quarry Park
- Mississippi River Archery Range
Most time-consuming maintenance this summer: Trees from Storm Damage
Over 500 labor hours were spent cleaning up damage caused by the summer storms. These parks and trails received the most damage.
- Dairyland Trail
- Lake Wobegon Trail
- Beaver Island Trail
- Lake Sylvia
- Warner Lake
- Mississippi River
- Quarry Park and SNA
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Summer Events
Special Events in our parks and on the trails:
- Caramel Roll Ride
- Clearwater Graniteman
- Hike.Learn.Be
- Lady Slipper Ride
- Mainly Marathons 2024 Summer Camp
- Park Play Week Long Camps
- Purple Pride 5K Run/Walk
- Senior Games 5K, 10K, and Archery
- State Archery Tournament
- Tour of Saints
- Zebulon Pike Ride to the River Bike Tour
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