SUMMER FUN - PARKS

Nature's peace hides in plain within a central Minnesota spot called Green Island

Nicole Stracek — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

WADENA, Minn. — Just off the well-traveled Minnesota Highway 71 lies Green Island, a 60-acre nature preserve tucked within the city limits of Wadena.

The land has been transformed over the past two decades by owners Kent Scheer and Vicki Chepulis into a sanctuary for wildlife and a peaceful retreat for the public.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Green Island invites visitors to slow down and reconnect with nature.

“Green Island is a place where everyone is welcome to spend time in quiet, soul-nurturing activities, like strolling through the woods, reading a book under a tree, sharing a picnic with a friend, or taking a child on a nature walk,” said owner Vicki Chepulis. “It’s not fancy or manicured, just a simple re-wilded landscape that exists so people can reconnect with nature and themselves.”

In the mid-1900s, the land served as stomping grounds for “the best Guernsey cattle in the area,” but today it serves as a sanctuary for humans and wildlife alike.

Scheer’s grandparents, Harold and Margaret Boen, purchased the land in 1927. His grandfather worked as an editor at the Wadena Pioneer Journal, and the dairy farm helped supplement the family’s income. In 1983, the property was passed down to Scheer’s parents, Helen and Ralph Scheer.

“My mother was raised here, and we often came for weekends and vacations throughout my childhood,” Scheer said. “The land sat mostly untouched for decades until I returned in 1983 and began planting gardens and trees.”

Since then, Scheer and Chepulis have cultivated the land into a green oasis, dedicated to conservation, community education and personal reflection.

“I began to realize the connection between humans and nature was deteriorating,” Scheer said. “The city was bustling around us, but here under the trees and sky, there was something special. A decade after planting trees, they created shade and fresh air—and the feeling was truly otherworldly.”

Today, towering trees—some over 150 years old—line winding trails, where visitors encounter poetry stations and educational signs. The nature preserve features more than a dozen information stops, offering a blend of art and ecology.

“It’s kind of a little island back in here that’s devoted to wildlife and green space,” Scheer said. “It really has an intent to serve wildlife and serve people in quiet and relaxing ways.” He said it also shares the name of a meditation retreat near Strasbourg, Germany, from the 13th century.

Among the preserve’s more unique features is the Kuti, a small hut nestled in the forest for meditation. They are traditionally used by Buddhist monks for Vipassana meditation, a technique meant to liberate the mind through self-observation. The hut was built by Scheer and a friend to encourage mindfulness in nature.

Green Island also showcases sculptures created by Scheer. Scattered throughout the property, the art pieces blend into the landscape and are available for purchase.

Wildlife thrives on the preserve. Green Island includes thousands of trees, ponds for amphibians and waterfowl, raptor perches, a hibernaculum for snakes and a bird-feeding station. Plants like Queen of the Prairie, goldenrod and currants support biodiversity for both animals and humans.

“People will find signs identifying different species of trees,” Scheer said. “QR codes take them to in-depth information about the trees environmental impact and uses.”

The preserve is also home to foxes, deer, wild turkeys and even bears. White doves roost in an old outbuilding, coming and going freely. Carefully selected fruit-bearing shrubs are planted for the wildlife and humans alike to enjoy.

Scheer and Chepulis said the goal is to ensure future generations have a space to learn about and experience the natural world. Green Island is a certified school forest through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and regularly hosts field trips.

Green Island is also designated as an official wildlife sanctuary, accredited by a national conservation organization.

“The purpose is to allow wildlife full rights to live their lives here without being disturbed or harmed,” Scheer said. “It’s an opportunity—if sometimes families are very quiet—to see deer and turkeys and maybe even a fox that they wouldn't be able to see otherwise.”

Green Island flora and fauna

More than just a nature preserve, the property is a living testament to the couple’s vision: a re-wilded refuge where the peace of wild things endures.

Gardens can be found throughout and feature a wide variety of plants, shrubs, fruit-bearing trees, and flowers.

Green Island is located at 850 Scheer Drive NE in Wadena. It is free and open to the public daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For more Lakes Country Treasures stories, click on the gems on the map below.

Numerous large metal sculptures made by Scheer himself can be found throughout the preserve.

Tamaracks, pines, willows, and oak trees are just a few of the different species of trees that can be found within the forest at Green Island.

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Itasca State Park naturalist to visit local libraries June 25, July 23

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:00:00 GMT

MCINTOSH — Lake Agassiz Regional Library will host a naturalist from Itasca State Park at the McIntosh, Fosston and Bagley libraries this summer.

The program will kick off at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at the McIntosh Public Library, 115 NW Broadway.

The naturalist will teach youth about signs that wild animals leave behind. Participants will learn how to search for clues that help tell the stories of many critters from insects, birds, reptiles, mammals and more, a release said.

The naturalist will also present this program at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, at the Fosston Public Library, 403 N Foss Ave.

Clearwater County community members can attend the program at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, at the Bagley Public Library, 79 Spencer Ave. SW.

This free, family-friendly program is part of Lake Agassiz Regional Library's jungle-themed Summer Reading Program.

For more information about the summer reading program or events calendar, call (218) 233-3757 or visit larl.org/explore.

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Parks and Rec to offer Nature Explorers half-day camp

Pioneer Staff Report — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:32:51 GMT

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will host a Nature Explorers day camp from 8 a.m. to noon on June 23-28, at North Country Park, 1001 30th St. NW.

"Explore the wilderness during this nature-based camp for ages 6-9," a release said.

Participants will enjoy snacks, crafts and lots of fun activities. The cost is $65 per participant.

For more information and to register, visit www.ci.bemidji.mn.us. With questions, call (218) 333-1862.

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Bemidji Parks and Rec opens Jiigibiig at Diamond Point Park

Sarah Suchoski — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:00:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — Sitting along the shores of Lake Bemidji, the newly rebranded Jiigibiig boathouse now offers fishing kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and facility rentals for community members to use and enjoy.

After being out of use for some time, the city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department has taken over operations at Bemidji State University’s former Outdoor Program Center boathouse in Diamond Point Park under the name Jiigibiig, meaning “along the shore” in Ojibwe.

The temporary closure of the OPC boathouse was the result of budget cuts due to Bemidji State falling into a $9 million budget deficit in 2023, which has since led to the elimination of dozens of positions and funding cuts to several programs.

The boathouse was not originally set to be cut from the budget, however, BSU was not breaking even with the $20,000 a year lease for the site. So, when the lease expired in September 2023, the university chose not to renew it, leaving unknowns about what would become of the building.

After BSU’s lease on the boathouse expired, Parks and Rec expressed interest in taking over operations in 2023, but chose not to start up right away in 2024.

“It gave us time to kind of plan a little bit better and try to figure out how best to staff it, what equipment people would want to rent, and then just kind of get some more feedback from the community,” Marcia Larson, director of Bemidji Parks and Recreation, explained.

Jiigibiig will offer watercraft, such as tandem, single and pedal-assist kayaks and paddle board rentals while camps, programs or facility rentals are happening. Starting on Wednesday, June 25, bike rentals will be available to the public.

“Our Kids in Motion camp is also here, so it’s been a really nice home for them in this park,” Larson noted. “We are focusing a little bit on the fishing kayaks and just encouraging more fishing out of this site, so people can use the fishing pier or get on the water without having a boat (of their own).”

Parks and Rec has been renting out watercraft and bikes from the Tourist Information Center in Paul Bunyan Park the past few summers and has seen great success, but Larson is excited to see the offerings grow with the addition of the Jiigibiig site.

“We’re looking forward to getting this open and available to the community,” she added. “It’s really fun to see the use of this building and all the parties and the kids play here and now a way for people to rent equipment.”

She also mentioned that community members can offer suggestions to the department on other ways they'd like to get out on the water or spend time at the park, as it is always open to ideas and feedback.

Jiigibiig will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with final call on rentals at 5 p.m. Larson hopes that by June 25, the operating days will expand to Wednesdays through Sundays during the summer months.

“People can register or reserve all of our kayaks and bikes online,” Larson said. “We have a new online system, so we can reserve them online and come and just pick them up to make it as easy as possible.”

Here's a look at the current rental prices:

Tandem fishing kayak: $18 per hour Single fishing kayak: $13 per hour Single fishing kayak pedal assist: $13 per hour Paddle boards: $14 per hour Bike rental: $12 per hour

Equipment and facility reservations can be made through the Parks and Recreation website at www.ci.bemidji.mn.us.

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Parks and Rec to offer Juice and Canvas preschool program

Pioneer Staff Report — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 15:08:00 GMT

BEMIDJI — The city of Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department will offer Juice and Canvas for preschoolers from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, at South Shore Beach, 527 Lake Shore Drive NE.

"Beach theme! Create a beach-inspired piece of art together, have a snack and enjoy playing the in the sand and water while we wait for our creations to dry!" a release said.

This activity costs $10 per preschool participant.

For more information or to register, contact (218) 333-1862 or visit ci.bemidji.mn.us.

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West central Minnesota offers several trails to walk or hike away from stress

West Central Tribune staff report — Mon, 26 May 2025 20:33:00 GMT

West Central Minnesota boasts a lot of natural beauty, with a number of state parks with miles of paved and natural hiking trails through out as well as designated scientific and natural areas. Here are some worth visiting:

Blue Devil Valley

In between Minnesota Highway 23 and U.S. Highway 212, in Yellow Medicine County, is 27 acres of natural Minnesota River Prairie where the largest populations of Minnesota's rarest lizard species can be found.

The namesake of the park comes from the five-lined skink, known for its bright blue tail in juvenile stages and five bright shiny stripes that run along its back.

The granite outcrops are a feature of the the lizards love as the natural habitat helps allow them to regulate their body temperatures.

To find the park go .2 miles south from Granite Falls on Minnesota Highway 23 and then west on County Highway 39 (540th Street) for about .15 miles and park in the pull-off near the wood-routed sign.

Glacial Ridge State Trail

Connecting Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties is the Glacial Lakes State Trail. Paved for 22 miles between the cities of Willmar and Hawick and connected with many different parks in the area. An additional seven and a half miles of paved trail between Roscoe and Cold Spring is popular among tourists due to the fact the trail runs past a number of area lakes south of Richmond.

Though most of the land has since been cultivated, remnants of what the environment could have looked like all those years ago can be seen along the seven miles of undeveloped trail on the old railroad right-of-way between the Kandiyohi and Stearns county line to Roscoe.

The trail can also serve as the means to enter Sibley State park with three miles of paved shoulder along Kandiyohi County Road 148.

Parking can be found at trail accesses in Willlmar, Spicer, New London, Hawick, Richmond and the East Nest Lake public water access.

Sibley State Park

Address: 800 Sibley Park Road NE, New London

Sibley State Park outside of New London has a number of natural trails and things to do. Hike up Mount Tom to see forest, farmland prairie and a number of lakes within one of Minnesota’s best natural views.

Lakeview Campground will be closed to the public until spring of 2025 for park improvements and redevelopment.

Park hours run 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Green Leaf Lake

Address: 17980 640th Ave., Darwin

With 385 acres, several wetland areas and two lakes to boot, Green Leaf provides a great opportunity to reconnect with nature. A mostly flat trail packed with dirt leads park visitors through an open field and into a shaded oak forest.

Anglers will also be happy to find a boat access and a fishing pier in the main recreational area of the park.

Lac Qui Parle State Park

Address: 14047 20th Street NW, Watson

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can access seven miles of trails from the picnic shelter in the lower campground of the park. Trails along some of the backwaters in the park also provide good spots for bird watching as the lake is also a popular stop for migratory Canada geese and other waterfowl.

Be sure to check out the largest recorded cottonwood tree in Minnesota by taking the short trail on the east side of the lake. The park also has historical buildings including the Lac qui Parle Mission and Fort Renville. Trails in the upper and lower units of the park are susceptible to flooding depending on the weather so be sure to check the park’s website for any alerts or notices.

Luce Line State Trail

The western segment of the Luce Line State Trail runs from Veterans Memorial Park at Thompson Lake in Cosmos through the natural prairies in Meeker County and into Hutchinson.

Running 63 miles from Plymouth to Cosmos this trail is on the site of a former railroad grade that today is popular for hiking, biking and even horseback riding. A horse pass is required for horseback riders who are 16 and older.

Monson Lake

Address: 1690 15th Street NE, Sunburg

Approximately two miles southwest of Sunburg is Monson Lake State Park, featuring a one-mile hiking trail for those looking for a shorter excursion.

The location nestled between Monson and Western Sunburg lakes in Kandiyohi County makes the park the perfect location for spotting birds such as pelicans, herons, and other waterfowl while hiking through the woodland.

River Warren Outcrops

The River Warren Outcrops, located in Renville County within a meander of the Minnesota River, has some of Minnesota’ oldest bedrock.

Visitors may be surprised to find a native but uncommon Kentucky coffee tree, identifiable with its greenish-white flowers, and large leaves that can get as big as 3 feet in length.

This natural area does allow horseback riding on designated trails from May 15 to Oct. 15, when conditions allow.

From Redwood Falls, go 1.5 miles westbound on Minnesota Highway 19 then turn North onto County Road 17 for approximately 7.9 miles. Turn west for about .4 miles on County Road 15 and park at the pull-off. River Warrens Outcrop will be to the southwest.

Swedes Forest

Located on the border between Yellow Medicine and Redwood counties, Swedes Forest is known for its pink medium grain quartz outcrops, known as Sacred Heart granite.

The stone outcrops dot much of the 207 acres and provide unique environments for rare state listed plant species such as Wolf’s spike-rush and water hysopp. Surveyors have also noted the park’s great diversity of wildlife having identified twenty-six species of spider, five species of reptile, four species of fish, and four species of bat within the designated natural area.

Find parking by driving seven miles south of Sacred Heart on Renville County Road 9 and 1.5 miles west on 440th Street (Township Road 1) and pull off on the south side of the road.

Additional destinations worth a visit include:

Ordway Prairie Preserve, acquired by the Nature Conservancy in the 1970s, is located off Minnesota Highway 104 north of Sunburg. It can be reached via a rest area on Lake Johanna Hill. The glacial till prairie is made up of meadows, wetlands and woods. It is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including the rare Hill’s thistle and the Poweshiek skipper butterfly. Lund Prairie, covering 110 acres, is one of the region’s most recent additions to the Nature Conservancy. About half of this preserve is untouched native prairie. It contains more than 200 different species of native grasses and flowers. Lund Prairie is 25 miles west of Willmar on Minnesota Highway 40. Regal Meadow is a 185-acre preserve exemplifying the region’s native mix of prairie, forest and wetlands. Hikers may be able to spot a rare lady-slipper, the state flower, in marshy areas of the meadow. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, the Regal Meadow is located on 160th Street Northeast, two miles north of Hawick. Chippewa Prairie Nature Preserve is a rich site for plant and bird diversity and is well known for grassland birds. The prairie chicken has been reintroduced here. The land has never been tilled and has hundreds of species of native natural grasses and wildflowers. An old ox-cart trail provides a two-mile trail for hikers and bird watchers. Gneiss outcrop is located southeast of Granite Falls. Follow U.S. Highway 212 east for one and half miles to County Road 40, then continue south one mile. Gneiss outcrops comprises the most ancient rock in the world, some 3.6 billion years old, which dominate the landscape and surround a natural lake. Bruce Hitman Heron Rookery is a short ride from Brooten to Lake Johanna. Follow Stearns County Road 8 three miles west and then go three miles south on County Road 37. The rookery is one of the state’s largest and most diverse nesting sites for water bird colonies. The rookery will open for summer visitors beginning July 16.]]>

Hidden treasures of Itasca State Park – Explore through your senses

Heather Funk, integrated visitor services coordinator, Itasca State Park — Wed, 21 May 2025 18:07:00 GMT

The treasure of spring surrounds you at Itasca State Park. You’re not required to paddle a great distance, climb to great heights or trek to remote locations – you need only to step outside, pause and breathe.

Have you ever wondered about spring’s signature scent? Although many candle companies have tried, none have been able to truly capture the distinct aroma known as petrichor – the fresh, earthy scent associated with rainfall. It is a tantalizing combination of ozone, geosmin and phytoncides.

Let’s dive into this world of elemental wonders. Ozone is a naturally occurring atmospheric gas that forms when lightning strikes, causing molecules of nitrogen and oxygen to split, then recombine to form ozone. This “clean” smell precedes a thunderstorm and lingers most pleasantly in the aftermath.

Geosmin is a chemical compound produced by bacteria in soil. This compound is responsible for the “earthy” smell released into the air when it’s disrupted during spring thaw or by droplets of rain hitting the dry ground.

Phytoncides are oils produced by plants, notably pine trees, during dry periods as a defense mechanism against insects, fungi and bacteria. These natural “essential oils” also release into the air when it rains and have aromatherapeutic effects.

5 ways to experience Itasca

Here are five ways to engage your senses this spring at Itasca State Park:

Get caught in the rain. Forest fragrances are prominent during a gentle rain, so grab a raincoat, pick a trail, and get your boots on the ground for an experience you’ll never forget Go for a ride on the paved trail and breathe deeply as you coast the rolling hills. This trail traverses six miles from the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center to the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. Watch the forest understory come to life with spring wildflowers and listen for the chorus of frogs and toads at the Wegmann Store pond. The picnic area offers sweeping views of Lake Itasca while dining al fresco under stately pines. Fresh lake breezes mixed with pine needles and grilled hot dogs is the essence of spring sans citronella. The Maadaadizi trail is a gentle, 0.5-mile walk located directly behind the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. It is an ADA and stroller-friendly trail. If you’ve only got 20 minutes, this is the trail for you. Stop at one of the benches and inhale the scent of new spring growth as you watch squirrels emphatically foraging for food. Before the arrival of splashing summer fun at the headwaters, is a decidedly more demure season when water cascades high over the rocks from spring rains and ducks paddle calmly among the reeds. You also get a FastPass for that headwaters selfie.

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Ever hike up a fire tower? This one in Pequot Lakes is worth the climb

Nancy Vogt — Wed, 21 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT

PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. — Wow, what a spectacular view!

There's no doubt that phrase, or something similar, has been uttered countless times by those who make it to the top — or even near the top — of the fire tower at the Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park in Pequot Lakes to take in the panoramic view from high above the treetops.

It's a decent uphill hike along a steep path to get to the tower, and then a 135-stair climb 100 feet up to the tower's cab. Even on a day with just a slight breeze, the tower seems to sway the closer you get to the top.

You'll find the fire tower park off County Road 11, just east of the Highway 371-CR 11 roundabouts and toward Breezy Point. Crow Wing County developed the park that officially opened in June 2020 and now maintains it.

But the fire tower has a long history.

Pequot Lakes fire tower

The fire tower was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Art Savage is one ranger who staffed the fire tower. He lived in the three-bedroom cabin under it with his wife and three children from 1939-47.

Savage worked in forest protection and management in Pequot Lakes for 40 years, from 1939-79, battling fires and educating people about forest management and wildfire prevention.

Read all about Savage’s service as a forest ranger on a kiosk at the base of the fire tower.

Keith Simar, of Pequot Lakes, took over and manned the fire tower when Savage retired. He said Savage would climb the fire tower, spot a fire and then climb down to put out many fires himself.

According to information on the kiosk, Savage used his own vehicle to chase fires. As needed, he enlisted the help of the Pequot Lakes High �� Forest Fighting Crew.

Simar spent 40 years with the Department of Natural Resources in a variety of positions before retiring in 2010.

The tower closed for a while for safety reasons before being restored and reopened to the public in 2012. Simar worked with the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association to reopen the tower to visitors.

In spring 2015, Simar again took on fire detection duties as a volunteer. He manned the fire tower on high wildfire danger days, carefully scanning the horizon from above the treetops for smoke. He could see about 20 miles in any direction.

Only about a half dozen fire towers in Minnesota remained in use at the time, including the tower in Nimrod.

The DNR closed the tower to the public again in spring 2017 because of vandalism and maintenance costs.

Soon after, former Pequot Lakes resident and former Crow Wing County commissioner Paul Thiede had the idea to turn the historic Pequot Lakes fire tower and surrounding land into a county park.

An integrity study found the tower was stable and simply needed maintenance work.

Other county commissioners agreed with Thiede, and Crow Wing County acquired the tower and surrounding 40-acre property from the DNR in November 2018 to preserve and protect the tower while also opening it back up for public use.

“This is a great honor. I am flabbergasted that, at my young age, I’d have a park named after me,” Thiede said with a touch of humor at the June 2020 grand opening for the property christened the Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park in honor of Thiede's vision and leadership to protect the fire tower located in the commissioner district he served.

What the park offers

The fire tower park offers much more than a historic fire tower.

Find three miles of walking trails — with interpretive signs — on 10 acres that meander through canopies of majestic trees. Two trails lead to the fire tower — a 0.3-mile Fire Tower Trail and a 0.4-mile Wildlife Loop.

Dogs are welcome, with two Mutt Mitt stations for people to clean up after their dogs.

Interpretive signs along the crushed granite walking path to the fire tower share information about the history of the park and of fire towers, Minnesota landscapes, and fires and firefighting.

There are kiosks and map signs outlining the trail loops; kiosks listing species of trees in the park, which include paper birch, red oak, jack pine, etc.; kiosks with information about foresters; and benches to rest and admire nature's beauty.

At the park entrance is a pavilion with picnic tables and grills, and kiosks with information about fighting forest fires and the state’s biggest forest fires.

The picnic shelter at the park entrance is dedicated to the late Don Nelson, called “the road man of Sibley Township.” An interpretive sign acknowledging Nelson says he served Crow Wing County, Sibley Township and Pequot Lakes as an employee and volunteer.

There's a vaulted toilet that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act in the parking lot.

Despite some nearby highway noise, you'll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere walking the paths. No motorized activity is allowed in the park.

The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk, with minimal maintenance (snowplowing) during the winter months. The fire tower is closed in the winter for safety.

The park has become a destination not only for the thrill of climbing the fire tower and the view, but for outdoor enthusiasts who like nature and hiking.

What people say

A callout on Facebook elicited the following responses about the fire tower park.

Kim Churack, of Pequot Lakes, said: "I've climbed the tower many times for the view, but walking the trails is my go-to for a respite from 'life' and 'Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul' (John Muir)."

Churack shared a photo she took walking up to the tower in October 2020.

"A 'pandemic' walk. I call it my 'Stairway to Heaven,'" she said, noting she has a huge canvas print of that photo in her entryway.

Sarah Bowman, of Breezy Point, regularly walks the park's trails.

"I love how wooded it is. Last week when I was out there, I saw a rabbit and a couple of deer," Bowman said. "Plus the variation in elevation makes for a great workout. When friends and family come to visit, it's always a fun adventure to bring them to the top of the fire tower!"

Frank Haggerty, a former area resident, said: "I went up there. Great view!"

Tammy Meyer Larsen, of Pequot Lakes, said: "My annual goal is to climb it spring, summer and fall and see how much it changes!" Pat and Deanne Trottier, of Breezy Point, said: "As regular hikers in the lakes area, greater Minnesota and beyond, we enjoy having the Pequot Lakes fire tower nearby and have been thrilled with the expansion of the trail system. It is rare to find one location that combines a fire tower, multiple hiking trail loops, forestry educational signage and even history of the fire tower and wildfires in Minnesota. Walking the hilly terrain is a good workout! We are lucky to have this historic fire tower park in our community."

Lynn Sharenbroich, of Pequot Lakes, said: "The fire tower is a treasured site along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. Now that it's part of the Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park, its popularity continues to grow. There's a fun information panel near the trailhead about the fire tower with a little Bunyan 'truth and lore' sprinkled in too." Nancy Waller, of Breezy Point, said: "My husband and I walk it often. It is a great workout as well as pretty. Won’t climb the tower. High places scare me!!" Cindy Couture Noyes, Pequot Lakes, said: My husband and son run there all the time. It helped my son prepare for a 25K trail run at Lutsen. For me — pretty sure it was one of the final nails in the coffin leading to total knee replacement! Absolutely a beautiful asset to our community. Lauren Nickisch, Pequot Lakes, said: My father, Jim Nickisch, as a Pequot Lakes High �� student in 1949-50, was hired by District Forester Art Savage to keep a lookout for fires from the 100-foot Pequot tower. Art lived in the cabin below the tower where he often played his violin when he wasn’t on duty. Jim enjoyed hearing the music during his work shifts in the tower, especially when Jim’s sweetheart, Marilyn, would climb the tower to visit him. Jim and Marilyn married in 1952. Over the years, their three children and extended family members have climbed the tower and continue to enjoy keeping a lookout for its shining silhouette above the tree line of Pequot Lakes. The historic fire tower is now part of the Crow Wing County Paul M. Thiede Fire Tower Park. Monetary gifts in memory of Jim have been dedicated to improving the park.
By the numbers 100 feet: That’s how tall the Pequot Lakes fire tower is. 135: That's how many stairs to the top of the tower. 2017: The year the tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places. 1993: The year the tower went on the National Historic Lookout Register. 1935: The year the Civilian Conservation Corps built the tower. 1927: The year the tower site was established by the Minnesota Department of Conservation Forest Service.
Park information Address: 5230 County Road 11, Pequot Lakes, approximately one mile east of downtown Pequot Lakes.

Click the gems on the map below for more "Lakes Country Treasures" stories:

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60 years, 4 tons and countless selfies — meet Alexandria’s beloved giant

Travis Gulbrandson — Thu, 15 May 2025 11:00:00 GMT

ALEXANDRIA — He has never held elected office, has no family and has never spoken a word.

But, at 60 years old, he remains one of Alexandria's most prominent residents.

He also happens to be 4 tons in weight, 28 feet tall, and made of fiberglass.

His name is Big Ole, and he stands in a park that was named for him, which is located at Second Avenue and Broadway Street.

Outfitted in Viking attire, he wears a helmet and carries a spear and a shield that reads, "Alexandria Birthplace of America."

Big Ole's story begins in 1965 at the New York World's Fair, the second season of which began in April of that year.

Along with the Kensington Runestone itself, Big Ole was part of a three-phase plan to improve the fair's Minnesota pavilion.

The cost to build Big Ole was $15,000, while Alexandria's total cost toward the statue and the Runestone display amounted to $25,000. He was designed by Gordon Displays of Minneapolis.

Upon its completion in April 1965, the statue was placed outside the Minnesota pavilion, which was on a heavily traveled roadway and within 100 yards of the Vatican pavilion. It drew an actual count of 12 million visitors the year before.

In the first two days of his exhibition, Big Ole was seen by an estimated 250,000 people and was photographed by an estimated 1,500.

By December of 1965, the statue was back in Alexandria, to be located on the "island" on the north end of Broadway, just across Highway 52.

"Seven-foot-deep concrete footings will be poured," the Park Region Echo reported. "Inserted into the footings will be 6-inch pipes which will extend 11 feet and 4 feet into the air. The statue's legs each have steep pipe sleeves which fit over the supporting pipes."

On Dec. 21, a dedication ceremony took place, which attracted not only the local media but television stations from the Twin Cities.

He survived several moves, a fire, storm damage and a collapsed roof

Big Ole has been moved and his appearance changed several times over the ensuing decades.

In 1967, a fire was set to the Santa suit in which Big Ole had been outfitted for the holiday season, resulting in $3,000 worth of repair costs.

As the Park Region Echo reported on Nov. 30, 1967, "Heat from the blaze charred the face until holes appeared when efforts to remove the soot were started."

To repair the damage, Big Ole was taken off his moorings and sent to the Twin Cities.

He was loaded onto a flatbed truck owned by John Lenz, and Alberg Sand and Gravel provided the large crane necessary for the removal.

Repairs were completed by Gordon Displays.

In that same issue of the Park Region Echo, an editorial called the charred Viking "a depressing, saddening sight."

"Even those who would poke fun at the guardian of main street must have had pangs of regret at the awesome result of vandalism," the editorial read.

The writer mused that perhaps the vandalism would serve a good purpose in the community.

"The result of this act of vandalism stands out vividly, unavoidably for all residents to see," the editorial read. "The Viking has this past week, stood stark and imposing as a symbol of a rebellious attitude which is an outgrowth, many are saying, of a soft disciplinary attitude."

Big Ole returns to South Broadway in 1997

On Aug. 21, 1980, Big Ole was moved one half-block north of his first resting spot to make room for the installation of a new stop light at Third Avenue and Broadway.

Big Ole was repainted at least three times in the 1980s and 1990s, changing the color of his hair and beard.

Then in October 1996, he was pulled from his platform for some major repair work and placed in the Runestone Museum's agricultural display building until the money could be raised for a structural diagnosis and repairs.

Given his stature, it was a difficult job to complete.

First, Big Ole's helmet and wings were removed, then cables from a crane were connected to the statue. The anchoring rivets were removed from his boots, and then the crane cranked up its cables and lifted the statue slowly up into the air until he dangled "like a giant Christmas tree ornament," the Echo Press reported.

The crane then slowly lowered Big Ole's feet onto a forklift covered with hay bales. He was then lowered further so that his back came to rest on some hay bales in a flatbed truck.

Once he was in the ag building, however, Big Ole suffered an accident: In February of 1997, the roof of the building, laden with snow, collapsed on top of the statue and damaged it.

Unfortunately, Big Ole had just finished getting cosmetic repairs after standing outside for more than 30 years.

After his new repairs, Big Ole was returned to South Broadway in May of 1997.

He moved just one more time in October 2002, 150 feet away from where he had been standing, and a park — Big Ole Central Park — was developed there, too.

Today, Big Ole stands tall and proud, and is always amenable to having his picture taken with tourists and residents alike.

An eye-catching landmark

Barbara Haacke, the executive director of the Runestone Museum, which is across the street from the statue, said that Big Ole has become a legend in Minnesota, much like Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

Although it is hard to gauge how many people visit Big Ole each year, Haacke said it is certainly in the many thousands. Many of Big Ole’s visitors don’t always make it into the museum, so she said she can’t be sure. However, she said that in 2024, the museum had visitors from 47 of the 50 states and also had visitors from more than 30 countries.

Haacke shared that Big Ole is painted approximately every five years, and he has had major renovations over the years due to fire, wind and storm damage.

“Funding for his repairs and renovation is generously donated by the people of Alexandria who see a value in maintaining his appearance for Alexandria residents and visitors alike,” she said.

Live view of Big Ole

Nathan Chan, network administrator for ALP Utilities in Alexandria, may have a better handle on the number of visitors taking their picture with Big Ole thanks to the Big Ole live webcam.

ALP’s camera, which is mounted on the pole in front of Big Ole, was actually first used to do a time lapse of the downtown reconstruction project, he said. The camera was a joint venture between ALP and Explore Alexandria. But once the project was completed, Chan said the thought was that they should put the camera to good use elsewhere.

A co-worker of Chan’s thought it would be a good idea to have the camera positioned toward the Central Lakes Trail. With it being a live feed, people could check the conditions of the trail, whether in the summer or the winter.

“We decided on that location as we could add Big Ole, the trail and a bit of road to get all kinds of conditions in one shot,” said Chan. “It also allowed a great view of the lake.”

The Big Ole live webcam went up in the spring of 2015. At that time, ALP was providing fiber internet services so the camera was hooked up to it and the feed was put on both the ALP and Explore Alexandria websites.

Eventually the live feed was moved to ALP’s YouTube channel, where it has been since March 14, 2022.

“It (the live video) has been seen more than 35,800 times since, averaging about 40 views a day,” said Chan. He added that there are a few diehards that frequently check into the stream and will let ALP know if it is not working.

Those visiting Big Ole can take a selfie using the webcam, which can be found at youtube.com/@alputilities/streams. Once the website is open using a cell phone, take a screenshot of you and whoever is with you, along with the famous Big Ole.

What is it that attracts people to Big Ole?

Many communities are known for a lot of different things. When people reference a certain community, they often do so by addressing the most common trait, said Tara Bitzan, executive director of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

For example, she said maybe a community is known for its lakes, or a famous sports team, or its unique shopping corridor, or on the negative side, its high crime rate.

Typically though, if a community has a major landmark or a statue, that will be the first thing people reference because simply, it is more unique and memorable, said Bitzan.

It is also especially helpful when the landmark or statue ties into the community’s history.

“Big Ole is a Viking, which ties into the well-known story of the Kensington Runestone,” Bitzan said.

She added that his presence continues to give voice to the history of the community.

“For locals, Big Ole is a source of pride and provides a commonality and sense of unity. For visitors, he may appear to simply be a photo opportunity, but he also serves as an educational piece. Few people stop to take their photo by Big Ole without asking, ‘Why does Alexandria have a 28-foot Viking statue?’ ”

Photos of Big Ole over the years

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Trails and memorials connect Crosby, Minnesota visitors to worst mine tragedy in state history

Renee Richardson — Tue, 06 May 2025 13:47:59 GMT

CROSBY — A quiet park nestled in the woods by a lake provides a place to reflect, walk and experience history.

Names on the boardwalks link the present to the past. The names of 41 miners who lost their lives in 1924 when the underground iron ore mine flooded within minutes and the seven who made it to the surface are there with each step on the 450-foot boardwalk bridge.

For years, while the story was part of the fabric of the area, the land and the site of Minnesota’s largest mining disaster was hard to access.

In 2007, Crow Wing County commissioners looked at a concept plan for the Milford Mine Memorial Park. Work was planned in phases with the goal of identifying the historic site, creating walking paths and opportunities for recreation at the site. Phase one was completed in 2010. The next year the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In the following years, the county added signs, a picnic shelter, cooking grills, small lakeside picnic area, benches and a bike rack, boardwalk, trails, kiosk and interpretive displays. Later came a permanent outhouse, covered shelter and a canoe/kayak landing.

The county called it “a place of creation, reflection and community to be enjoyed by families, residents and future generations.”

In 2024, the county unveiled the latest additions and coming improvements. Additions included interpretive signs, 1.25 miles of additional trails and links to create more loops to walk through the park, scenic overlooks, and two new picnic pavilions. County commissioners and staff also pointed to other additions in the works, including a boardwalk leading out into the lake — where the mine shaft once stood.

The county’s plan was to develop a 2.2 mile-scenic walking trail around the backside of Milford Lake and connected to existing trails. The new trail was designed to provide an amazing view of the mine itself.

Jan Loftis said her dad was 10 years old when his brother, Valentine Cole, died in the collapse and flooding of the Milford Mine north of Crosby. Valentine Cole was days away from his 25th birthday and was already a husband and father of two young children. One, a girl, was just a few months old when he died along with 40 other underground miners in the Milford tragedy .

Loftis and family members attended the grand opening for the newest additions to the park during its 100th anniversary year in 2024. Loftis was also there when they first started on the park and constructed the pavilion.

“It has really expanded,” Loftis said. “I didn’t even know there was a whole town.”

The town of Milford sprang up around the mine, as was common in those days. The county also found the foundation of the bachelor miners' quarters at the site.

Jan and Boyd Loftis of Pillager were at the ceremony with her brother’s grandson, Issac Cole. The 13-year-old is Valentine Cole’s great-great nephew.

“I think it's pretty cool learning my history, about my family,” Issac said. It all makes for a little different connection to the park for him. “I've read some of the things, a book about it, and I thought it's pretty interesting.”

Seeing what the county has done to preserve and unearth the site’s history is incredible, Loftis said.

“It's pretty inspiring to see his name out there, a picture of his house,” Loftis said, noting they can see Valentine Cole’s image and read more about him — a family member they never had the chance to meet. But he’s remained a part of them. The family tends his grave in Pillager. “We've always gone to his grave,” Loftis said. “We've always had to pay respect to him. So this means a lot.”

And the park, she said, may not be what people expect. There are trails and places to picnic or kayak, but she said there is so much history and buildings that amazed them as they always thought of Milford as just a mine, not the community that rose up at the site.

“It is amazing,” Loftis said. “I'm so glad the county has done this. They have done an amazing job and I hope people come out.”

The site has 5.4 miles of trails.

“I think it's going to just continue to be a real neat park that honors the 41 miners,” said then Crow Wing County Commissioner Doug Houge in 2024, adding it does that while giving people a rich outdoor experience. Houge said when he joined the County Board, he said the late Crow Wing County Commissioner John “Jinx” Ferrari was in the very early stages of getting the park started. Cuyuna Heritage Preservation Society member Lansin Hamilton was one who wanted to turn the site into a historic park to ensure the men who worked there and the mine were never forgotten.

The boardwalk is designed to take people out to the spot in the lake where the mine actually was and where it collapsed and flooded before the lake reclaimed it.

Milford Mine history

The Milford Mine’s shaft was 200 feet deep, with the first level at 135 feet. On that fateful afternoon, men were working at the 165-foot to 175-foot level. The Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network notes the area where the men worked, called the drift, was 175 feet down — almost half the length of a football field — and ran horizontally for 2,000 feet.

Miners worked in rooms off the drift. The rooms were braced with timber. Getting out of the mine in an emergency wouldn’t be a simple task. The Milford Mine had one deep shaft that involved various ladders where it would be one man climbing at a time and an open cage capable of carrying eight men that would take several minutes to reach the surface.

“It's one of the real important aspects of our history in the area,” said Mike Aulie, volunteer with the Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network in 2024. “ … So on Feb. 5, 100 years ago, there were 48 miners underground working. They were 15 minutes away from the end of their shift, and that's when the cave-in happened.”

The first sign of doom came with a sudden gust of warm wind. It blew out the carbide gas lamps on the miners’ hats, or blew their hats off altogether. A second gust came with a roaring, liquid sound. Seven miners made it out of the mine. Forty-one were entombed inside.

“I was working not very near anybody,” miner Matt Kangas told a reporter from the Duluth News Tribune after the disaster. “Then the wind hit me. I fell down and my lamp went out. I lit it. It went out again. It was dark and cold. The wind hit me again. I knew what it was. I was in a time like that once before, down in Michigan. So I knew if we lost a minute it was too late. I yelled. Then I ran like hell. We can’t save our life no more if we don’t run. I know. So I run.”

The disaster is believed to have begun when a surface cave-in of 6 or 8 feet at the mine's easternmost end of the property tapped into mud with a direct connection with Foley Lake.

It took 15 minutes for the mine, with its shaft 200 feet deep, to fill with water, mud and trap miners in their tracks as they fled. It would take nine months and a Herculean task of dewatering and digging to locate all the bodies.

In the months that followed, some of the miners who died were found standing with their arms locked with each other.

“At the time, it was the worst mining disaster in the United States, and even yet, today, it's the worst mining disaster in the state of Minnesota,” Aulie said. “... Every one of those miners had a story and a family.”

The miners who died ranged in age from 23 to 55. Many were married and left, depending on accounts, 88 to nearly 100 children behind, with some born in the months after their fathers died in the mine.

A five-member committee appointed by the governor investigated the disaster with three hearings. Barely 24-hours after the disaster and with the mine still flooded, inspectors reported to Minnesota Gov. Jacob Preus that the accident was unavoidable. Recommendations were made to improve safety, but none were reported as acted upon.

The mine owners were found to be blameless.

The mine closed in 1932 as demand for the manganese ore fell away with the Great Depression. Then the lake, now renamed Milford Lake, reclaimed the mine yet again.

How to get there

The Milford Mine Memorial Park is at 26351 Milford Lake Drive, north of Crosby off Highway 6.

The Milford Mine Memorial Park is open year-round, sunrise to sunset, and is free to the public. Trail maps are available for pickup up at the Land Services Building in Brainerd or can be viewed at www.crowwing.gov/289/Recreation .

Directions:

Go 4 miles north of Crosby on State Highway 6 Turn left on County Highway 30 for 0.3 miles, Turn left on Milford Lake Drive, Follow Milford Lake Drive to the entrance of the Milford Mine Memorial Park.
The beauty and popularity of the Milford Mines have been documented in photography over time. Take a look at some of them in the photo galleries below:

Milford Mine gallery

Miners at the Milford Mine.

An informational sign sits along a trail at the Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

A diagram of the Milford Mine shows the inner workings of the mine. A single shaft and ladders provided an escape at the time of the disaster.

Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

An informational sign sits along a trail at the Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

A boardwalk makes a trail out over the lake at the Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

An informational sign sits along the boardwalk over the lake at the Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

A boardwalk continues a trail after crossing over the lake at the Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

An informational sign sits along the boardwalk over the lake at the Milford Mine Memorial Park as seen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, near Crosby.

Milford Mine Memorial Park April 2025

A boardwalk leads out over a marshy area Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

A dock leads out into the lake with the end being over the site of the mine collapse on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

A sign on the dock explains what the area was like pre-disaster on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

A flock of pelicans flies over the park on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

A muskrat dives into the water after being startled on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

A muskrat swims through the water on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

Names are listed on a sign in the park on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

A bird sings in a tree on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Milford Mine Memorial Park near Crosby.

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