Big Marine upgrades top Washington County park plans

Sweeping improvements are planned at some Washington County parks to give the county's growing population more room to play.

The biggest changes, presented to commissioners this week, could come at Big Marine Park Reserve, where the county wants to expand its public offerings over the next several years. Just how much the county can accomplish depends on when "willing sellers" want to part with their land.

"The key to any development is acquisition," said John Elholm, county parks chief.

Big Marine Park Reserve, off Manning Trail in northern Washington County, is adjacent to the Minnesota Disabled Veterans Rest Camp and west of the small river city of Marine on St. Croix.

The park eventually will cover 1,800 acres. Most of the land, once it's acquired from private landowners, will be restored to a natural state similar to the pre-settlement days more than a century ago. The county's updated master plan shows a vision of interpretive trails, scenic overlooks, horse paths and conservation study areas. Modern and primitive campgrounds would be built nearer to Big Marine Lake.

The 2030 vision, although a grand one, is in line with Metropolitan Council planning, said Don Theisen, the county's public works director. And most county residents consider the park "an asset to the county," he told commissioners on Tuesday.

In 2008, the county opened the first portion of its Big Marine development to the public. Those improvements included a swimming beach, an improved boat landing, a large playground, picnic areas and trails.

"We need to establish we'll be a good neighbor with the neighbors who are there," he said.

Commissioners on Tuesday also reviewed a proposal to renovate the historic Brown's Pond barn at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. The early 1900s barn and its tall loft would be adapted for public use and connected to new lighted cross-country ski trails, with new roads and parking. State grants and a reallocation of some budgeted county money would pay the $1.6 million cost, Theisen said.

A third proposal involved construction of a shower and restroom building at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park in the county's south end. The building, which architects described as durable, would double as a storm shelter for campers and picnickers. The projected $891,500 cost would include a new dump station and upgraded electrical service to the park.

Commissioners haven't voted on any of the proposals.

Washington County's park division, led by Elholm, manages seven parks, the Hardwood Creek Trail near Forest Lake and Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.

"Every one of our parks was overwhelmed," he said. "Anything related to recreation on Minnesota lakes this holiday was basically Easter Sunday in church, over capacity."