By Jean Doran Matua, Editor
The City of Eden Valley invites everyone in the area to come and celebrate the culmination of many years of waiting and hard work: the grand opening of Friederichs Park from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, June 13. The address is 250 Friederichs Ave. W., Eden Valley.
The idea for a park on the south end of town came when the Clem Friederichs farm came up for sale. The farm site is just south of the city’s football field (used by the high school) and baseball field (used by the high school and the Hawks town baseball team). At that time, there was only one access point (from the north) to those fields. So the location was appealing to the city for both a new park and for access to the fields. When they purchased the farm from one of Clem’s brothers, the city indicated that they would probably name it Friederichs Park. They sold the farm house on the site and had it moved away.
That was many years ago. And this is where so much of the waiting was required. While waiting for funding to start the park for so many years, the wooded lot was used primarily for parking at home football games.
Former city clerk Mona Haag says she submitted at least three applications for DNR grants to start construction of a park on the site. But money was scarce, even in the grant program. Her final attempt as city clerk, before her retirement, was successful in obtaining starting money for Phase 1 of the park. The city received a Minnesota DNR Outdoor Recreation matching grant for $150,000; the Lions already had that much set aside for the park as matching funds.
Plans had first been drawn up in around 2016 for phases of the park. The first step, though, would be to remove many of the trees which was done shortly before construction was to begin.
All was ready to do the concrete work needed to frame up a 40’x80’ park shelter in the fall of 2018. But excavators and concrete workers were already booked and the city couldn’t get any bids. The playground set, swing sets, and teeter-totter purchased that fall would have to be stored over the winter.
The Lions Club contributed substantial funds for the park, more than the original $150,000 in matching funds, and they were instrumental in building the park shelter which was the first construction on the site once many of the trees were cleared.
Phase 1 also included the playground which was installed next. The splash pad was begun in 2020, but not completed until this year (planned to be ready just in time for the grand opening June 13).
Further options for the park that have been part of the plan at one time or another include horseshoe pits, an RV campground, a skating and hockey rink, tennis and/or pickle ball courts, and paved trails to connect them all.
In 2019, the city council banned alcohol and smoking in all of its public parks, including Friederichs Park.
The park shelter may now be reserved by calling city hall at (320) 453-5251. Donations large and small will also be welcomed by the city office to be designated for future park projects.
Everyone is invited to come out to the park between 2-5 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2021, for the official grand opening of Friederichs Park. There will be live music with Gig Noonan, free pickle ball lessons, and food available for sale (with proceeds going toward Phase 2 projects in the park).
Join with the original parks committee and others who have been involved in the long process that brought Phase 1 of the park to fruition. They have all earned a hearty celebration for this achievement.