Park development on horizon

Isanti County approves five-year park plan

After years of merely purchasing land, the Isanti County Parks Department is ready add trails, playgrounds and picnic shelters.

Parks Director Barry Wendorf presented a five-year plan to the county board on Tuesday night, March 16, 2010 detailing future development.

In 2010, the parks board hopes to significantly improve two parks. The work is dependent upon receiving grants, however.

At Vesgund Family County Park, the plan is to add a 1,400-foot entrance road and parking lot at a cost of $80,000; trails ($60,000); picnic shelter ($42,000); fishing pier ($25,000); picnic tables, benches and grills ($10,000); signs, trees and landscaping ($10,000); and solar lighting ($28,000). If the county doesn’t receive a grant, it will only complete the road and part of the trail system, noted Wendorf.

At Anderson County Park, the county’s newest park, the goal is to add three boardwalks ($17,700), a road to the parking area ($8,500), trail gates ($4,500), and canoe access ($1,500). If a grant isn’t awarded, only one boardwalk will be constructed and the canoe access will be upgraded, said Wendorf.

Additionally, the county will spend $7,800 on signs.

Improvements from 2010 to 2014 will total $40,000 each year.

In 2011, the park department intends to purchase a tractor/loader to be used to dig fire breaks, maintain trails, upgrade parking lots and remove snow. Wendorf also hopes to purchase a snowmobile/trail groomer to maintain cross-country ski trails. Additionally, the county’s oldest park, Wayside, is “in desperate need of renovations,” said Wendorf. “The concrete picnic tables are falling apart,” he noted, as well as the benches. Landscaping is also needed.

Improving the parking lot at Wayside is slated for 2012. Also that year, the park board hopes to purchase playground equipment – a rock climbing wall, slide and swing – at Becklin park. Plumbing will be added at the maintenance building at Springvale park, and electricity extended to the shelter at Becklin park. If the Vesgund park fishing pier is not included in the 2010 grant, it will be added in 2012 and the playground equipment scratched.

Viewing platforms at Dalbo and Anderson parks will be added in 2013. Trails will be improved and a parking lot added at Becklin. The biggest cost that year, estimated at $20,000, will be spent on an interpretive shelter at Springvale, the county’s most well-used park, according to Wendorf.

More work will be done at Springvale County Park in 2014. The bituminous trail that currently dead-ends will be extended so that it loops a half-mile. Playground equipment will be added at Anderson park. However, if the picnic shelter at Vesgund park isn’t part of this year’s grant, the trail and the playground will wait so the picnic shelter can be built.

The county board approved the five-year plan as presented. Commissioner George Larson pointed out that the plan could change depending on necessity. “Barry has done a nice job on this,” he said.

DONATE TREES, OTHER ITEMS

Isanti County offers two programs for people who want to make donations in memory or in honor of someone special or for other reasons.

According to Wendorff, people may select a mature native tree, help select the planting site and take part in a tree planting.

Or, people may purchase items like grills and benches. Plaques will be placed on both the items and near the trees honoring the donors.

For more on the program and the items needed by Isanti County parks, check the county web site at http://www.co.isanti.mn.us/parksrechome.

Another way for people to get involved is to volunteer at the parks. Last year, folks logged 120 hours at Anderson park through the Friends of Anderson Park program.

Wendorf noted that he would like to see Friends groups established for all the county parks.

MORE ABOUT PARK SYSTEM

Isanti County’s five parks have cost just under $2.1 million to establish. Part of that has been paid by grants, and part by local taxpayers.

Two parks – Dalbo and Wayside – were free. Both came to the county through the tax forfeiture process in the 1950s. A 108-section of Springvale park was also tax-forfeited land. The cost of others was offset by large donations from families who earned naming rights.

The number of acres that the county oversees in its parks is currently 735. Springvale is the largest at 211, followed by Anderson at 174, Becklin at 150, Wayside and Vesgund at 80 a piece and Dalbo at 40.

WHAT CAN YOU FIND NOW AT COUNTY PARKS?

Dalbo County Park

• Two miles of multi-use trails

• Wetland boardwalks

• Picnic table/shelter

• Interpretive sign/map kiosk

Springvale County Park

• Parking lot

• Paved trail to observation point (one-quarter mile)

• Five miles of multi-use trails

• Native plan restoration

• Portable restroom

• Groomed cross-country ski trail

• Picnic table/shelter

• Mountain bike trail (1/2 mile)

Wayside Prairie County Park

• Picnic shelter, tables and grills

• Two miles of multi-use trails

• Native plant demonstration garden

• Wetland boardwalks

• Prairie restoration project

• Portable restroom

Vesgund County Park

(Will open in 2010)

• Two miles of multi-use trails

• Fishing dock

• Bog walk and scenic overlooks

• Canoe access

• Portable restroom

• Picnic shelter

Becklin Homestead Park/WMA

• Three miles of multi-use trails (no horses)

• Canoe and small boat launch area

• Picnic tables, grills and shelter

• River/bird observation platform

• Areas reserved for hunting by disabled hunters (during which time the park is closed)

• Interpretive sign

• Portable restroom

Irving and John Anderson County Park

(Will open in 2010)

• Picnic shelter

• Three miles of multi-use trails

• Three parking areas

• Canoe launch

• Grills and benches

• Interpretive sign