Stearns County is seeking the public’s input on a plan that will guide the future of the County’s parks, trails, and recreation system for the next 10 to 20 years.
A brief survey asks about awareness and usage of the county’s parks and trails, and asks for ideas for future investments. Responses will guide activities and recreational programs to be offered in the parks in years to come. The survey is the beginning of what will be a 10-month process to develop a master plan for the County’s outdoor recreation system.
Input from residents, visitors, and business owners is an important component to master planning. The goal is to develop a plan with a foundation in Stearns County residents’ needs and desires for parks and recreation services. The last plan was developed in 1989 and included recommendations for the development of the Lake Wobegon Trail and Quarry Park. The County’s recreation facilities focus on water access, hiking, biking, ski trails, picnicking, fishing, nature viewing, and other non-city recreation. The existing system of parks, trails, and open space includes
19 unique park and trail recreation facilities, ranging from boat landings to regional and local trails, to significant regional parks.
• Two signature recreation facilities (Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, Lake Wobegon Trail).
• Two trails (Beaver Island Trail, Dairyland Trail/Soo Line Rail Corridor).
• Seven special feature parks (Upper Spunk Lake County Park, Fairhaven Mill Park, Lake Sylvia Wayside, St. Martin Canoe Access, Heims Mill Canoe Access, Miller Landing, and Clearwater River Canoe Access).
• Eight County parks (Warner Lake County Park, Mississippi River County Park, Oak Township Park, Lake Koronis Regional Park, Kraemer Lake Park, Rockville Park, Spring Hill County Park, and Two Rivers Lake Park site).
Visit surveymonkey.com/r/StearnsParksSpring2023 to take the survey. The plan is expected to be complete later this year.