FALL 2017 (NOV) Special Places PARKS & TRAILS COUNCIL OF MINNESOTA NEWSLETTER en rud n P Ba usti rred k by J Owl at Fort Snelling State Par Inside this issue LETTER FROM BRETT .............................PG 2 FRONTENAC PROJECT ..........................PG 3 KEEPING OHVS OUT OF PARKS ...........PG 4 SHOOTING STAR TRAIL EXPANDED ......PG 5 EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT .......................PG 5 NATURALIST CORNER: FALL .................PG 6 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ................PG 7 LAKE LOUISE SP & FRIENDS ....... PG 10-11 Upcoming challenge Volunteers during a clean-up day at the newly acquired land on Lake 21 during summer 2017 Land Project Update Sibley Park’s Lake 21 all in the park Sibley State Park This project has been years in the lake. But alas, the sale making and shows how patience can didn’t work out then. pay off. Lake 21 may sound like a Timing is critical in Mark your calendars for the annual slightly unloved lake, but for retired land deals and while there was a close one-day event when Minnesotans park manager Dave Lais, who has call with a sale for high-end develop- give to the max for causes they care been an active volunteer since retire- ment, which would have precluded the about. A group of dedicated support- ment, this lake has long been a special potential to ever incorporate into the ers have pooled together to create a place where he saw the potential for a park, that didn’t happen either. $15,000 challenge fund to match gifts completely natural lake experience— on this day to Parks & Trails Council. something quite rare in this part of Eventually the children inherited the the state. land and they had moved away so had Thank you to our matchers, Dick little use for the land. Because Dave and Mary Brainerd, Bob and Nancy He remembers discussions with the Lais had ensured that the owners Erickson, Gail Fiskewold, Chris landowner years ago. At that time the know the park would be interested if Howard, and Peter and Linda Seed. landowner was scaling back operations ever they sold, he was the first to get a on his minimal-frills resort along the Sibley State Park | pg. 9 www.givemn.org Acquiring, protecting and enhancing critical land for the public's use & benefit From the Executive Director The year we defended our parks’ from a whole new threat By Brett Feldman reasoned way that is hard to refute. was going up for sale, the Friends had our back and helped us bring the As we put the finishing touches on Our members shared personal park community together in support of an 2017 and begin planning for 2018, it experiences and hammered home incredible addition to the park. is important we reflect on some of the the point that OHV users have 1800 amazing things we accomplished this percent more state land for their use The same is true at Sibley State Park year with the help of our members compared with state park users. This too, where the friends group has been and partners who so generously share is despite the fact that only 5 percent instrumental in ushering the restora- time, energy and financial resources of Minnesotans own an OHV com- tion work along at two land projects to protect Minnesota’s most special pared to 30 percent who visit state there. I want to give special thanks to places. parks. Dave Lais, Ron Erpelding and all the members who have pulled up their I’ll always remember this as the year I thank you for supporting our ef- sleeves to make this happen. when off-highway vehicles (OHVs) forts with your membership. And for became a real threat to our state those who took up the call to send in Special thanks also to Eagle Scout parks. And the year that we made our comments, we couldn’t have done it Connor Jarland of Corcoran for tak- voices heard to protect them. When without you. ing it upon himself to raise money to we learned the DNR was consider- build a biker changing station at Be- ing opening up three state parks on This was also a year when our land tram Chain of Lakes Park (see page the Taconite State Trail to OHVs our program made bold moves that 5); and to Senator Dave Durenberger members responded. Our combined allowed us to see the strength of for continuing to speak out in support efforts demonstrated the importance Friends Groups. When we learned of saving land for parks and trails. of these special places to so many that 159 acres of prairie oak savanna people. And it showed that our mem- at the entrance of Frontenac State bers are knowledgeable enough to de- Park with spectacular bluffland views fend these places in a thoughtful and of Pleasant Valley Creek and Lakelet We are a proud member of the Minnesota Environmental Fund, a workplace giv- ing option comprised of 19 environmental nonprofits working to protect, conserve and restore Minnesota’s environment. Visit the website to see if you can donate through your workplace or to find out how to add your workplace to the program. www.mnenvirofund.org THANK YOU TO OUR BUSINESS SPONSORS Minnesota TRAILS A Parks & Trails Journal / MnTrails.com www.mntrails.com page 2 Fall 2017 Frontenac State Park Supporters and neighbors hiking the land P&TC recently acquired and is working to add to Frontenac State Park. Local naturalist Bruce Ause talked about the history of the land and its creek (bottom center). Former U. S. Sen. Dave Durenberger spoke of the importance of people working to save land for parks. P&TC Event Recap Sneak peek at land we’re working add to Frontenac State Park Sometimes seeing is believing. On Oct. ined what the next 60 will look like if Former U.S. Senator, Dave Duren- 7, Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota this bluffland, with its majestic view berger spoke of the power of people (P&TC) partnered with the Frontenac becomes part of the story. coming together to get things done for State Park Association (FSPA) to bring the benefit of others. In talking about supporters and neighbors to see for This land is located just outside the the efforts to save this land for the park themselves the 160 acres of land that we park’s boundary, which means the Min- he explained, “this is what brings us are working to add to the park. nesota Legislature will need to approve together.” a boundary adjustment before the park It was a damp day, but that didn’t can begin to manage it. A key supporter “You are part of a tradition of a renew- dampen the spirits of the 80-plus peo- in making this happen is the senator able resource,” he said. “And when you ple who came. As we hiked to the top representing the area, Sen. Michael get to my age and can’t run up and of the bluff, we carried a home-made Goggin, who was in attendance and down the hill as easily as you used flag, signed by all in attendance that shared his support. to, there’ll be somebody behind you. symbolized the people-power necessary They’ll do that because you gave them a to save land for parks. Chuck Richardson, a member of FSPA, good example; you raised their values.” shared the history of this volunteer- We planted it at the top and took a mo- based group that was integral to getting Together, we are continuing the legacy ment to reflect on the 60-year history of the park established and that continues of parks and trails for future genera- Frontenac State Park. And we imag- to support the park and this acquisition. tions. Fall 2017 page 3 Issue update New Taconite State Trail plan approved, our voices were heard This past July, the Minnesota DNR OHV route around the park would approved a new master plan for the be necessary. Also, the State Park Taconite State Trail. It was a plan we Visitor Surveys and public comments anxiously anticipated because of the during this planning process indicate implications it could have on intro- strong opposition to adding OHV ducing off-highway vehicles (OHVs) use within state parks. such as ATVs, into state parks. Previously, the draft plan was less We are happy to report that many of clear about the prohibition of OHVs the concerns we raised and encour- within state parks and simply stated aged our members to comment on, that a reroute may be needed to avoid have been addressed in the plan. This state parks. was an important step in continuing the protections our state parks benefit While we are heartened to see this from in terms of making it clear that important change in the Taconite OHVs are prohibited in state parks. State Trail plan, we realize that OHV groups continue to have a strong in- Our members played a critical role terest in removing the prohibition in in this plan. Of the 180 comment state parks. We will remain vigilant letters that the trail planners received, to any attempt at changing state park the “majority” expressed concern and rules (referenced above as MN Rules opposition to allowing OHVs on the 6100.1900) or at legislation that state trail, specifically within state would add an exemption. parks. Considering that the draft plan seemed to be treading a fine line To learn more about this issue visit in alluding to introducing OHVs our website at www.parksandtrails. without outright stating that intent, org/advocacy/ohv-in-state-parks/ it was an important time to unequiv- ocally denounce the idea, before it takes root.