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HomeMy WebLinkAboutsunfish lake park history-march '11 History Of Sunfish Lake Park City Park of Lake Elmo, Minnesota (Washington County) March 6, 2011 Compiled by Judith Blackford, Member City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Prepared by Judith Blackford, Lake Elmo Parks Commissioner—March 6, 2011 Page 1 of 8 Sunfish—the Beginning In 1974, the City of Lake Elmo Village Council, Planning Commission, and Park Advisory Board distributed a fact packet to residents of the City describing a proposed $725,000 (equivalent to perhaps $3,000,000 today) Park Bond Budget. The elected and appointed City officials were proposing and seeking community financial support to purchase and preserve undeveloped farmland and private open space for City park use. Some of the individuals mentioned in this fact packet were the City of Lake Elmo Village Council (Mayor Maynard Eder, and Councilmen (Robert) Bruce Abercrombie, Calvin Brookman, Lloyd Shervheim, and Francis Pott), William Lundquist, Chair of the Planning/Zoning Commission, and members of the Lake Elmo Park Advisory Board (Don Dau, David Morgan, Jess Mottaz, Mike Johnson, Ruthmary Logue, Ed Nielsen, and Diane Trudeau). Parks proposed and purchased through the passage of this Park Bond were Sunfish Lake Park, Demontreville Park, Reid Park, and Tablyn Park. Most of the land selected for purchase had not been farmed and was not tillable due to woods, steep slopes and wetlands. The largest area of contiguous land was Sunfish Lake Park. At the time, some of the most desirable land was being considered for early housing development by Orrin Thompson Homes. The City packet mentions this as being a strong impetus to pass the bond before these potential park lands were lost forever. This land purchased by the City for park use was sold at a substantial discount below the assessed valuations because the landowners wanted to participate in preserving the long-term well-being of Lake Elmo citizens. The bond issue presented to the taxpayers listed preservation of natural wilderness, hiking trails, nature areas, and cross-country skiing for Sunfish Park’s woods. By selling the lands which became Sunfish Lake Park at a discounted cost to the City of Lake Elmo for Sunfish Lake Park, landowners Lehart and Frances Friedrich, Mervin and May Nippoldt, William (Percy) Collopy, Everett Beaubien, and William Sander, passed up potential opportunities for greater private-party offers. The generosity of all landowners was highly valued and contributed to the passage of the 1974 Park Bond Referendum. History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 2 of 8 (3/6/2011) Joseph and Charlotte Moris, Jr. were another farm couple presented with the City’s interest in purchasing a contiguous northern section of woods of the current Sunfish woods. In 1973, Michael J. Scanlan with the MN Chapter of The Nature Conservancy performed an inspection and report of their woods, compiling an extensive catalogue of the flora and fauna. The report called these woods the best upland forest in the County with species of red maple, wild lily-of-the valley, bracken, and pyrola. The City is in possession of this report (1994 LE Parks Commission packet recommendation to prohibit biking in Sunfish). Mr. Scanlan classified the soils as Edith sand and the topography as irregular. His report stated that the Moris family had preserved the land to date, and because of the irregularity of the topography and vulnerable sand, it should not be allowed that it be sold for parkland, but kept and used for only very occasional observation. The MN Department of Natural Resources in a report (of Moris contiguous woods) dated May 21, 1990, called it a high-quality, native forest, and recorded sightings of Blanding’s turtles and a Red-shouldered hawk in nearby woods, which were probably also in this woods and, therefore, also in Sunfish. Fauna/flora sightings—by Judith (Moris) Blackford. My home is within the contiguous woods north of Sunfish. I’ve observed nature through almost weekly walks in Sunfish and our woods through every season for 30 years. Fauna—Sunfish’s woods, lake and ponds are home/haven to deer, coyote, red/grey fox, raccoon, river otter, mink, weasel, flying/grey/fox/red squirrel, chipmunks, opossum, and smaller creatures. In 1990, I was fortunate to see a rare sight from my home window—a grey wolf. Grouse, turkey, barred/grey/screech owls, as well as red-tailed/sharp- shinned/cooper hawks live in the woods. Woodland birds include pileated, hairy, downy, red-headed, golden-fronted, and northern flicker woodpeckers. Others are cardinal, blue jay, blue bird, junco, white/red-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, indigo bunting, scarlet tanager, mourning dove, rose-breasted grosbeak, American redstart, robin, Baltimore oriole, American goldfinch, whippoorwill, red-winged blackbird, meadowlark, cedar waxwing, house wren, ruby-throated hummingbird, phoebe, peewee, black-capped chickadee, purple finch, common redpoll, rufous-sided towhee, wood thrush, and many warblers. Water birds are wood, bufflehead, and mallard ducks, Canadian geese, loon, egret, belted kingfisher, and blue heron. A pair of Bald Eagles has nested on various shores of Sunfish Lake since 1990. History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 3 of 8 (3/6/2011) Trees/shrubs—Paper birch, bur/white/red oak, sugar/black maple, black cherry, elm, mountain ash, cottonwood, cedar, basswood, aspen, poplar, black walnut, and plum are some trees. Sumac, bush honeysuckle, bayberry, dogwood, prickly ash and bittersweet are some shrubs. Buckthorn is a prolific, undesirable invasive in Sunfish’s woods and surrounding woodlands. Herbs—Wild geranium, blue flag iris, bloodroot, large-flowered/sessile- leaved bellwort, false wild lily-of-the-valley, interrupted fern (other ferns as well), greater Solomon’s seal, common blue violet, yellow violet, Canada/wood/rue anemone, wild bergamot, spiderwort, jack-in-the-pulpit, columbine, hepatica, wild blue phlox, and ginseng are some wild plants. Yellow moccasin, a wild orchid found growing wild in Sunfish 50 years ago, grows locally in private wild flower gardens. People—Sunfish Lake Park is also a haven for people. It affords us that escape to the wilderness—that tonic that Thoreau spoke of—as being essential to man’s well-being. The morning songbird chorus thrills the ear. The chorus, spring peeper, and wood frogs are the first auditory herald of spring’s arrival. Phenology, the study of recurring seasonal occurrences in nature, is a fun way to enjoy Sunfish Lake Park. The chance to commune with a wild deer brings one closer to our original place in nature, and it resonates deep in our being that when we are in nature we are home. The fragrance of ephemeral spring wild flowers and later the autumn stews of fallen leaves please in ways no artificial scents can. The wind whistling through pines or melodiously shaking aspen leaves is nature’s music. The sight of golden aspen and crimson maples against a vivid autumn blue sky is breathtaking. Skiing or snow-shoeing on just-fallen snow under snow-cloaked branches creates an enveloping embrace of quiet, pristine beauty—a forever memory. Orchestral music, paintings, poetry, scientific inventions and more are inspired by nature. Nature is both teacher and classroom! Nature’s sensory gifts and recreational opportunities refresh mind, body and spirit! History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 4 of 8 (3/6/2011) The glacial history of these lands bears more researching, but the land clearly leaves clues in the sandy/gravelly soils, the ridges and carved hollows, as well as the deeply carved glacial lakes/ponds left behind—Sunfish Lake, Berschen’s Pond, Lake Elmo, Lake Jane, Lake Olsen, and Lake Demontreville. Boulders left on land just to the north of Sunfish Lake also speaks of the glacier. The boulders and rocks left are (in part) granite, gneiss, sandstone, conglomerate, shale, basalt, porphyry, calcite, jasper, quartz, and agate. Konrad Koosmann with the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District issued a report (3/15/94) based on an examination of soil erosion within Sunfish. The report lists the soils as gravelly and sandy and severely erodible. Mountain biking was taking place at the time, and based on several years of work by the Parks Commission, as well as over 300 signatures from residents, reports from the Sierra Club, City liability/safety concerns (a North Star Ski Club member hurt himself while riding his bike and sought City medical compensation), the erosion issue, letters from residents, and a unanimous recommendation by the Park Commission, Ordinance 8065 (5/18/1992) was passed prohibiting mountain bikes and similar cycles on Sunfish Lake Park’s trails. A thick, Park Commission-presented packet containing the above-referenced documentation is at City Hall. Parks commissioners compiling this packet were Kes Tautvydas (Chair), Judith Blackford, Karen Leach, Gloria Knoblauch, Ron Kuehn, and Steve Peterson. Sunfish—a bit of dated chronicling of history May, 1975—The Washington County Bulletin reported the Lake Elmo Park Board planted 5,000 trees in Sunfish Lake Park. They used Ed Nielsen’s Ford tractor. Dave Morgan and Sue Dunn were on the Park Board at this time. Vicki Nielsen provided lunch for this tree planting. History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 5 of 8 (3/6/2011) July, 1975—An article appeared in The (Oakdale/Lake Elmo) Review. Steve Kopesky, owner of North Country Inc (a ski shop that closed in the 80’s specializing in cross country ski equipment and training) approached the Lake Elmo Park Advisory Committee seeking to lay out trails for the City in Sunfish Lake Park. Mr. Kopesky indicated the design would include laying out trails, blazing/bulldozing them, cleaning out brush, laying straw in areas where there is little ground cover (in the fall), and dragging the trail after each heavy snowfall and spring cleanup for summer use by hikers. A 3M pilot/plane was hired to take the aerial photos, which were used to build the trail system to attract cross country skiers, hikers, and snowshoers. David Morgan (a then Parks Commissioner) laid out the trails. During trail design placement, David Morgan found an old trail that was either an old settler or old farm wagon trail. It became part of the trail system, and was named Morgan Trail. This historic trail runs along the south border of Sunfish (overlooking City Park Pond). A bench sits along this trail. Steve Kopesky bulldozed the trails. Nov., 1975—The Review reported the Council authorized $2,000 to rough in a split entry and exit road. May, 1976—The Washington County Bulletin noted the cost savings to the City through its many volunteer efforts in the City parks. 5,000 trees were planted at Sunfish Park. The park is being developed as a “natural” area for cross country skiing, hiking, picnicking, and snowshoeing. The trees included pines, ash, maples, and walnut. Feb., 1977—St. Paul Dispatch covered the intent of Lake Elmo to purchase the Washington County Landfill of 110-acres to add to Sunfish Park with the stipulation that the land remain in public use. The article mentions the County’s desire to retain access to the property to access monitoring of methane gas and wells. Only 35 acres of this 110-acre parcel were used in the landfill operation. The landfill operated for about six years. Fran Pott, Fire Chief, wanted the land for a fire station, and Parks received the remainder. Fran Pott made this purchase happen! Original 1978 map showed an expansion of ski trails with the Lake Elmo Jaycees helping brush the trails. History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 6 of 8 (3/6/2011) 1980—The Valley Branch Watershed District oversaw pumping of Lake Jane (where homeowners’ properties were being threatened by high lake levels because these homes had been built below historical high water levels) into Sunfish and into City Park Pond within Sunfish. Many over 100- year-old trees were killed, but many homes/citizens were helped. The trails that were initially put in were widened at this time by Dan Olinger. Wider trails made winter ski trail grooming easier, but wider trails invited new, not-intended usages like mountain biking. These usages started the erosion, and a series of meetings took place beginning in 1992, which culminated in the ordinance banning mountain biking and similar cycles within Sunfish Lake Park. Restorative measures were undertaken on recommendation from the Soil Erosion Agency to help prevent further erosion—water bars were placed to divert water runoff off of hills, but these have largely been rendered useless because they fill up with organic matter/soils. Soil and wood chips were brought in to fill eroded areas. This work was accomplished through strong, yearly volunteer efforts, and is now performed as needed by staff. 1981—The Lake Elmo Jaycee women sponsored a cross-country ski race in Sunfish Lake Park. Another race was sponsored in 1984. 1985—The City Hall was proposed to be built in Sunfish Lake Park. Kelly Brookman, et al, donated the site north of Brookman Motors to keep the Lake Elmo City Hall in the Old Village. 1989—A wedding was held in Sunfish Lake Park. The intent of Sunfish Park as a nature park allowing passive recreation was researched thoroughly, and the City is in possession of a thick packet dated April 15, 1994, presented by the then Lake Elmo Parks Commission with a letter bearing the signatures of all six members. This is the packet referenced earlier prohibiting bikes. (The legal document placing Sunfish Lake Park into the Minnesota Land Trust also contains language prohibiting biking within this park.) It reiterated the appeal of the sale being preservation of the tract and woods therein specifically for passive recreation, and documented from many agencies and citizens the need based on facts and the community’s knowledge of that promise and need to keep the commitment. History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 7 of 8 (3/6/2011) Parks commissioners, North Star Ski Club members, Lake Elmo City Parks Maintenance staff, and Lake Elmo citizens have rallied to the aid of this beloved park on this issue and on other issues, as needed. The North Star Ski Touring Club (NSSTC), under the direction of Ted Cardozo, was involved in annual fall cleanups readying trails for winter cross- country skiing. Lake Elmo Parks Commissioners and residents also helped in this trail maintenance. Mike Bouthilet, Parks Supervisor, provided wood chips and organized these cleanups. The NSSTC also helped raise money to clear Ernie’s Trail, named in remembrance of one of their member’s husband, who loved skiing in Sunfish. The Stillwater High School cross-county running and Nordic skiing members have trained in Sunfish Lake Park. Bill Simpson was their coach for many years. On September 22, 2009, Sunfish Lake Park was put into the MN Land Trust for permanent preservation/protection as parkland. This document contains legal usages/restrictions for Sunfish Lake Park. The City of Lake Elmo Parks Commissioners moving this protection piece forward were David Steele (Chair), John Ames, Rolf Larson, Judith Blackford, Sue Dunn, Mike Zeno, Marty Dobbs, Vincent Adadene, and John Booher. The Lake Elmo City Council supporting this Park recommendation were Mayor Dean Johnston and Council Members Steve DeLapp, Anne Smith, Liz Johnson and Nicole Parks. In 2010, the Parks Commission returned 20-acres of farmed park land south of the parking lot into prairie w/grants brought to Parks by staff, Carol Kriegler and park funds. Better trail location maps were placed within Sunfish. Flower/grass plugs were planted at the north end of the prairie (fall, 2010) by the Parks Commission. Interpretive kiosks, aesthetic boulder barriers, and flower gardens are planned for the prairie in 2011. In 2011, the Lake Jane Landfill, managed by the State of Minnesota, will be returning a small portion of the site back to the City for parkland. The Parks Commission is currently giving input and exploring potential usages. History-Sunfish Lake Park, City Park of Lake Elmo, MN (Washington County) Page 8 of 8 (3/6/2011) Summary In 1974, Lake Elmo Park Commissioners and its citizens were visionaries in investing in the preservation of Sunfish’s beautiful wild places for passive recreation. In 2009, current Parks Commissioners and citizens protected their vision and promise to the citizens by placing Sunfish into the Minnesota Land Trust for permanent protection for future generations. Elder wisdom keepers/neighbors have also rallied for Sunfish Lake Park. Ed Stevens, a Quaker, came to many meetings standing with frailty but firmly speaking for Sunfish. Former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, Rosalie Wahl, also rallied for Sunfish. When Sunfish was proposed as the site for a maintenance facility and water tower, it was pointed out that verbal promises (to the previous owners and its citizens who at the time funded the park purchases) to use the parkland for only nature purposes were not in writing—therefore they weren’t legally binding. Rosalie Wahl said that our verbal promises should be considered as binding as our written promises! That spoke to the moral integrity of my neighbors. As residents and lovers of Sunfish Lake Park, we’ve left relatively dense stands of woods untouched for wildlife. We’ve cleared trails so that the beauties of the woods could be enjoyed. We’ve repaired trails so that the beauty might be preserved. We’ve planted trees when water damaged existing trees. We’ve tried to be good stewards in enjoying Sunfish Lake Park. When trails needed grooming or damage occurred, we’ve tended the park with excellent care overseen by Mike Bouthilet (LE Parks Supervisor for 25 yrs). When needed, we’ve even curtailed/prohibited damaging usages. As stated above, when Lake Elmo’s citizens have viewed inappropriate usages suggested for Sunfish Lake Park (water tower/maintenance fac.), citizens protected Sunfish by advocating at City Hall, even solving the need by suggesting a cheaper and better site. The existing site at Ideal Avenue was recommended by Jim Blackford. Former parks members especially Ed Nielsen, current LE Park Commissioners, and many other citizens have rallied for their jewel—all because we love Sunfish Lake Park, and diminishing it would have left us poorer! Sunfish Lake Park has often been called our “Jewel”. At almost 300 acres, it is certainly rare. On September 22, 2009, our finest became permanently protected and preserved through legal placement into the Minnesota Land Trust for generations of Lake Elmo citizens to enjoy!