Becker County hears opposition for regional park

By Robert Williams

Editor

A Becker County online survey has shown some support for the county’s acquisition of two Toad Lake area parcels and turning them into a regional park. There were 159 respondents to the survey in favor and 84 against.

The county has also been holding informational meetings on the project showcasing the potential uses and upgrades to the Toad Mountain area.

Despite that positive feedback, residents who live near and around the Toad Mountain and Lake property have been speaking audibly against the project for the past few weeks and took up the majority of the open forum at the meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Jerry Schram of Erie Township started a barrage of comments against the project calling the proposal a horse ranch bailout.

Toad Mountain was once operated as a camp for horse riders with buildings and trails created as part of the camp.

“This is a money pit requiring the extensive removal of noxious weeds and replanting of desirable foliage,” Schram said. “Please forget this expensive boondoggle.”

Frequent critic of the project, Clark Lee of Toad Lake, summed up his statement by asking the board to “Kill it,” noting that Commissioners Jepson, Nelson and Vareberg have stated publicly they would not support the project if the township does not support it. Toad Lake Township has made their unanimous opposition to the project known publicly in their own meetings and at the county board.

“What started out to be a wilderness camping site has now grown to three parking areas for 105 cars, 55 campsites, two restrooms with showers, one restroom without a shower, two picnic shelters, one picnic area, one play area and interestingly enough, until the people brought it up there was absolutely no mention by Steve Skoog (Environmental Services Administrator) on funding, there was no mention of the master plan costs, there was no mention of the bridge loan at 8 percent interest that could go beyond the first 10 months,” Lee said.

Previously, Schram called Skoog a garbage man “sounding like a snake oil salesman pushing his agenda of building a kingdom. Just say no!”

Lee mentioned other costs to open the area, road improvement costs and annual operation costs.

“This is just ridiculous that this thing goes on and on,” Lee said.

Lee reiterated Toad Lake Township is unanimously opposed and stated that maybe one person at a Wolf Lake meeting might be in favor, the rest were opposed.

Dave Knopf of Lakeview Township claimed the costs and undertaking of the project were not feasible. He also questioned that if the project is viable that it would have been taken up already by a private enterprise.

The Toad Lake and Toad Mountain properties have been on the market for more than 10 years.

Knopf was also concerned about the government’s role in land ownership and stated at the county level the government needs to stay out of land ownership.

Doug LeSage, owner of Bambi Resort on Toad Lake, was concerned with who is looking out for the taxpayers.

“This proposal doesn’t say anything about what it’s going to cost long-term,” he said. “The project seems to be finding a solution to a problem that does not exist.”

LeSage cited Detroit Mountain offering similar opportunities and amenities and the new park being built by Park Rapids that does the same.

LeSage also wanted an answer on costs already incurred on advertising the project.

“How much county resources have been spent so far on pushing this project, and I mean pushing it,” he said. “How much has it already cost?”

Larry Knutson of Osage was quick with his opinions.

“We spend thousands of dollars for an EDA department to increase our tax base,” Knutson said. “What this is doing is shrinking our tax base. Overall, it’s just a bad idea. It’s not conducive to the type of activity that you guys are planning for it.”

Knutson also commented on splitting the two parcels, lakeshore and the mountain, and using it for nothing.

“We don’t need hiking; we don’t need biking; we don’t need sightseeing in that area,” he said.

The project was on the board’s agenda as a consideration of the master plan, but that was updated at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting as just an update on the status of the project. Thus, the board took no action and will continue the discussion at a September meeting. The county board meets on Tuesday, Sept. 3 and 17 next month.

Skoog spoke during the scheduled informational time.

He reported on informational meetings held in Wolf Lake and the county courthouse and commented on multiple complaints heard at those meetings on the project and the process.

“Philosophically, I think there are some people that just don’t want to see us move forward for various reasons,” Skoog said.

Skoog summed up the informational meetings as having possibly changed the tone of the feedback.

“There is more willingness from some people to take into consideration possibly changing the scope of the project,” said Skoog.

One change is removing the lakeshore parcel and just using the mountain parcel.

Skoog suggested any decision on a master plan at a cost of $55,000 be made at the latter September meeting.

Jepson spoke on her attendance 

“I can say, for sure, there is a resounding non-support of the current plan,” she said. 

She also reiterated the idea brought up at the Toad Lake Township meeting of a nature preserve project, rather than a regional park.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people and I’ve not found one person that wants it…none,” Commissioner Vareberg said.

“There are a lot of concerns over it and if the township is opposed to it, it’s going to be a tough sell,” Commissioner Nelson said. 

Nelson said if a vote was had Tuesday, it would not have the best outcome for moving forward.

Skoog offered to bring back the company willing to complete the master plan. 

Nelson and Jepson both stated the consultant appearance before the board was not necessary.

Nelson did warn the naysayers based on the commercial nature of the property.

“I do want to point out if this doesn’t go forward to a park or the county purchasing, this is zoned commercial—just be careful what you wish for sometimes,” he said.

Nelson also brought up the City of Frazee’s sale of the Eagle Lake public access to a local lake association and how that area is a higher priority compared to Toad Mountain.

The Lake Association has approached the county about returning the area to the county in the future. 

The Toad Mountain project will return the county agenda at the Tuesday, Sept. 17 meeting.