Eagle Lake Park sale closing in the near future

By Robert Williams

Editor

The finalization of the sale of Eagle Lake Park took another step toward closing. City Administrator Stephanie Poegel reported that court action on the sale of the park was to conclude last week, according to City Attorney Patrick A. Bakken. 

Bakken will be contacting the buyer’s attorney to schedule a closing and start a file with the title company. The purchase price is $190,000 and the buyers are the Eagle Lake Park Association. County Commissioner Phil Hansen has stated multiple times that Becker County has an interest in the park once the sale has been completed.

Hank 

Ludtke/Riverside Park 

A 2026 improvements update was provided to the Parks Committee. 

Andrea Froeber consulted with OK Lumber about options and costs of blocks to be used for a retaining wall, along with posts, paint and stain for the pavilion. A new 3×5-foot welcome sign is also planned for the park. The committee agreed to request $2,000 in the 2026 budget for this project, with plans to recruit volunteers to help build the retaining wall and use donated perennials for landscaping.

Heartland Trail Update 

Erik Anderson reported that Frazee Community Development Corporation (FCDC) has executed a purchase agreement with Luke Kangas for his property on North River Drive. This acquisition will facilitate connecting Wannigan Regional Park to the Heartland Trail. The closing is scheduled to occur by December 31, 2025. The property includes a vacant trailer house that will be removed by spring.

Little Turkey Park 

Tom Watson mentioned that they might remove the turkey sculpture this winter for repairs. The base is rotting and the paint is peeling. He noted that he has found someone who can repair it, though plans are not finalized yet. The issue is that while the sculpture is fiberglass, the underlying plywood has rotted.

National Trails Day

Poegel introduced the concept of National Trails Day, which occurs on the first Saturday in June each year and is sponsored by the National Hiking Society. She suggested that the Park and Recreation Committee consider organizing an event for this day. 

Watson mentioned that he and Tom Barry are planning a canoe rally in May or June, starting five miles north of town and ending in Frazee. The committee discussed potentially connecting this event with National Trails Day, though there were concerns about potential construction at Wannigan Park during that time. 

Members were enthusiastic about participating in National Trails Day, suggesting various activities including biking, walking, and canoeing that could end with a barbecue at a park. They agreed this would help maintain momentum in the community for outdoor recreation activities. 

Wannigan Park 

Anderson reported that the lighting installation has been completed and the most recent Parks Committee meeting. The silt fence needs to remain in place until the grass is at least 60 percent established, which means it will remain  through the winter and be removed in spring. 

Poegel confirmed that two pay applications have been submitted and paid, and those have been submitted to Becker County for reimbursement. The project came in at budget after change orders, including the addition of lighting. Currently, there are 14 lights installed. 

Anderson noted that the FCDC is exploring the possibility of completing the trail with lighting by purchasing seven more lights with their own funds. 

Watson mentioned he has spent the last three weeks removing fence from the interior of the park, pulling out approximately five miles of barbed wire fence and posts. Only the perimeter/boundary fence remains. This work will save an estimated $15,000-20,000 in the long run as it would have been included in the Phase 1 development. 

A pedestrian counter at the park recorded 35,790 one-way trips, despite missing data during a 10-day period when mud obscured the counter lens. It was noted that this count is likely lower than actual usage since many visitors don’t pass by the counter location.