Area residents share concerns with county, sellers

By Robert Williams

Editor

The Becker County Commissioners were charged with selecting and approving SRF Consulting as the Toad Mountain Master Plan Consultant on Tuesday, July 17, but by the end of the week were trying to convince area residents of the positive aspects of a future sale to the county to create another regional park that would include two parcels of land on Toad Lake and surrounding Toad Mountain.

The purchase and plan both received negative comments from area residents prior to the plan’s unveiling during the open forum and later in the week during a public information session at the property.

Environmental Services Administrator Steve Skoog introduced the project of a public purchase from the current owner and their request for it to be turned into a public park.

With Skoog were Natural Resources Management Supervisor Mitch Lundeen, Trust for Public Land Project Manager Nick Banks and Horizon Real Estate Group President David Schlossman, representing the seller Susan Kay Schlossman (Carr).

“This seems like such a fun opportunity for a county, so thanks for considering this,” David Schlossman said. “Properties like this are what make communities unique.”

Schlossman also cited the property had not been on the market since 1996 making it a rare opportunity for the county. That comment was later questioned by multiple residents as not true.

Becker County received 7 requests for proposals (RFP) for the plan development, coordination, and public engagement for the potential Toad Mountain Park. This master plan will help Becker County and future park users identify the goals and objectives for the park through various public engagement events and meetings. 

Many of the comments that led to specific questions from area residents were left unanswered, partly because it would take the completion of the master plan to provide such data.

The Recreational Advisory Committee (RAC) reviewed and scored all 7 RFPs on July 9 and recommended the Becker County Board award the contract proposal to SRF Consulting at the proposed costs of $54,935 to complete the master plan. If SRF is not selected as the firm the RAC recommended ISG consulting as an alternative firm.

Some basic questions from residents are if that expense alone is necessary citing multiple large swaths of public land in the general vicinity of Toad Mountain by Pickerel and Shell Lakes.

The property that is proposed to become Toad Mountain Park is 253-acres and encompasses two parcels on a scenic and minimally developed lake located midway between Detroit Lakes and Park Rapids on County Road 34. The property has over 920-feet of shoreline on Toad Lake and has one of the tallest points in all of Becker County, providing stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Becker County intends to develop the property into a regional park that will provide public access to the lake and the peak, which was also stated as a desire of the current owners. 

Trust for Land (TPL) approached Becker County last September about acquiring the land.

Funding for the purchase would be sought out in the form of state and federal grants.

Banks presented a flowchart depicting the proposed route of purchase from the master plan through three grant applications in 2025 from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trail Commission (GMRPTC), Community Forest and Natural & Scenic Areas.

Banks, the TPL Project Manager, explained how TPL assists government agencies in attaining the property until grand funds are approved. Scheduled approval dates of the grant applications stretch to late 2025 with funding dispersed by September 2026. 

A regional designation is also needed to apply for GMRPTC funding; much like what was done for Wannigan Regional Park in Frazee. The likelihood of that being accepted on a first application is not certain. To get the needed high ranking from GMRPTC, the Wannigan Park committee submitted a concept plan first to get approval to submit the master plan for evaluation.

TPL has a purchase agreement in place with the seller to acquire the property by December of 2025, according to Banks. TPL would then hold the property for approximately 10 months awaiting the funding approvals. The property’s acquisition is dependent on the funding being in place and county board approval. If approved, TPL would convey the property to Becker County in October of 2026.

While opponents want more public input, the cost of the study and the actual need of another regional park in the area were brought into question by two speakers.

Toad Lake resident Clark Lee spoke during the open forum to the board in opposition of the Toad Mountain master plan. He also cited the Toad Lake Township had passed a motion on July 8 against the proposal.

Skoog did address concerns the township had before the plan and future input gathering had been completed.

According to Lee, the motion was passed because the Township leaders feel the deal is moving too fast and there is a lack of preparation. 

At the same time, he questioned why the board is interested in purchasing land that has been on the market for 14-15 years and paying double of the taxed evaluation.

“We’re looking at $1.7 million for some land that is taxed at market value of $800,000,” said Lee.

Lee further cited maintenance costs and road upkeep as additional factors to consider before asking commissioners to not pursue work with a consultant on moving forward with a potential purchase.

“I’m not saying this project is a bad project; it’s just moving too fast and it needs more public input,” he said.

Bambi Resort & RV Park owner Douglas LeSage also appeared Tuesday to speak against the county’s potential acquisition.

LeSage said he had strong concerns with the project, including creating a master plan without an assessment of community need or a feasibility study.

“I encourage you to put the brakes on this thing,” he said. “We have to know what our community needs are. If there was a situation where all our parks were full and we needed more space, I could understand it, but that’s not the case here. We have all kinds of parks. How many miles of trails do we have in this county?”

LeSage also cited that Gen Z and Millennials statistically spend less time outdoors than older generations, leaving this park project with less appeal in the future. 

Another point was that Detroit Mountain exists 15 miles west of Toad Mountain offering many of the same amenities that are in the proposed plan, along with 25 miles east where Deep Lake Park, a 350-acre park, is currently being created in Hubbard County.

“So, why do we need a regional park 25 miles away from a regional park?” LeSage asked. “None of this makes any sense. We need to identify a community need.”

Commissioner Erica Jepson stated she has received a lot of feedback from her constituents, mainly that there was not enough public input. She stated she would like a public input meeting to determine if this is the way the county should proceed.

“For me, it is a unique opportunity that has the potential to do great things for Becker County, but it’s also potentially a lot of money for us to spend and it’s not a necessity,” said Jepson.

She noted an example of a necessity as the new jail that was needed.

“Is this something that we have to have?” said Jepson. “Without getting the public input, I am sure there are people that are for it and want it. I just haven’t heard from them, so therefore, it’s a struggle for me to approve. I was at the town board meeting; there was a lot of opposition there and I have received many phone calls and emails in opposition to it.”

Commissioner Richard Vareberg echoed Jepson’s sentiment that he has not heard a lot of support for the project.

“I can’t find anybody that thinks this is a good idea, so I can’t support it,” he said.

Commissioner Barry Nelson stated he cannot support the project if the township does not.

Chair John Okeson cited Wannigan Park having gone through the regional distinction process and having acquired multiple grants to proceed in Frazee noting it’s “a long and tedious process,  but they’re moving forward.”

“It’s a long process, but I think it needs to be a slow process to make sure it’s done right,” said Jepson.

“Which Wannigan Park was,” said Okeson.

The board tabled any decision on funding the master plan pending input from a public meeting.

Special meeting held Friday

A large group of area residents attended Friday’s informational meeting with Skoog, Schlossman and Banks at the property to continue the discussion. Okeson and Jepson were in attendance representing the board.

On tap was a tour of the property’s lakefront and cabins and a run to the top of Toad Mountain for those interested.

In between those two visits, a lengthy discussion began with Skoog, Schlossman and Banks regularly on the defensive from multiple residents citing many topics like water safety, traffic control, road maintenance, security, employee overhead and others.

Lee was in attendance and he concentrated his comments on expenses, like the $55k for a master plan being done by the county. He countered with a question on why the seller isn’t completing a master plan to bring forward to the county.

He also questioned the 8 percent interest on TPL holding the land for the county for 10 months, which equates to $167,000.

“What’s going to be the expense to the county and to the township to improve this road West Toad Lake Drive), to improve that road (420th Avenue), to put in a parking lot, garbage cans, some type of primitive restrooms?” he said.

Lee summed up with there being a total expense just to cut the ribbon on the project. 

“What really scares me though is what is going to be the ongoing expense of running this property when you can go just across the lake – there’s 80 acres behind the town dump over there – you can go over there and primitive camp and you can even dump your garbage on Monday morning on the way out,” Lee said. “There is so much public land in Becker County. Why would we be buying additional property that not only costs us money to buy, it costs us money to float the loan, costs us money to have the ribbon cutting and costs us ongoing money for maintenance?”

Lee’s comments were noted as valid concerns that would be addressed in the planning process.

Lee wanted them addressed immediately.

“We don’t have those answers; these are things that we need to do research on and find out,” said Banks. “That’s part of the planning process.”

Skoog reiterated the point and acknowledged the need for public input.

Schlossman concentrated his comments on the positive and amenities of the property, also noting a private buyer could easily close it off to the public.

The decision on the table is whether or not to spend the money to proceed with creating a master plan and then to seek regional park distinction from GMRPTC. 

Much of the public feedback Tuesday and Friday was against the project altogether.