Draft Ashley Sommer, a graduate student at the University of Minnesota, outlined her draft of plans for improvements at the Dower Lake Recreation Area. More than a dozen people turned out Monday night to discuss the future of Dower Lake Recreational Area and related recreational features.

Three University of Minnesota researchers discussed the results of a survey taken earlier this year among users of the Staples recreational facilities. From that survey, interviews and other research, the three are coming up with some suggestions for improvements at Dower Lake and other locations around Staples.

Graduate student Ashley Sommer, who is doing the majority of the writing of the plan, outlined some of her findings from the survey. She is working with Virajita Singh and Peter Mac- Donagh. Both are professional landscape architects who are also adjunct professors at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture.

But before they finish with their report, locals had the chance Monday night to give their opinion. One thing was clear, there are some strong opinions from the users.

Dower Lake session Researcher Ashley Sommer (at the podium) and Dr. Peter MacDonagh listened as audience member Robb Peterson spoke about his ideas for the Dower Lake Park. Following a presentation on the results of a survey of park users, Sommer and her two supervising professors from the University of Minnesota, listened to comments from the public. Also pictured are Ken Klose, Bruce Hayenga,Tom Stevens, Peterson, Lori Bates and (far right) Al Kolling. The meeting at city hall last Monday night centered on plans for Dower Lake, but also included trails connecting the city “Dower Lake is the nicest place I know to play softball,” Tom Stevens told the group assembled at the Staples City Hall. “You don’t see any other places where the softball fields have the lake as a backdrop.”

The researchers had outlined plans for Dower Lake to be connected to Staples with at least two trail systems. Chuck Stevens, Tom’s brother, echoed his feelings somewhat, urging continued emphasis on what is there. “No matter what you do, you need a quality destination. You can build trails, but what’s the point of going somewhere if there’s nothing there. You need to take care of what you have,” he said.

The survey in general found Dower Lake to be a popular park and relatively successful park.

Among the issues brought out are bathroom facilities, accessibility, maintenance and oversight at the park

The researchers hope to expand usage of the park other than just in the summer season. One method to do that would be developing trails that connect Dower Lake to Staples and to Pine Grove and other parks. Sommer’s draft of the master plan now includes a historic rail trail, which would pass by former railroad sites such as the roundhouse, stockyards, etc.

Her trail ideas included:

o A bird watching area along the Thunder Road Trail and around Dower Lake

o Some of the trails could be maintained for cross country skiing in winter

o A special “Staples Mix” of grasses/perennials would be planted and then the seed mix would also be sold as a marketing tool

o The interpretive signs along the trails would

have a “punch” on them

that kids can punch their “Staples Trails Punch Card”

and get an incentive if they punch so many in a month (ice cream, etc)

o A trail loop would be included that is primarily designed for senior citizens in the city (BASS trail)

The U of M researchers considered the historic depot as a trail head site. This would include a Visitor Information Center and signs explaining the trail system.

During the meeting, the question was raised exactly what is needed at a Trail Head. Some of the requirements listed by Sommer and Staples residents included a parking lot, bathrooms, a building or at least a shelter, and an outdoor kiosk.

Lori Bates and Nate Mathews, parents of younger children, noted walking with their children to the depot could be a safety problem due to Highway 10 traffic.

That started a discussion on alternative sites, with Don Flaten suggesting one is needed at the east end of town to capture west bound traffic as it first enters the city. He suggested the vacant city owned property north of Super America.

Mathews noted once a north-south overpass is constructed, the city’s electrical sub station located now just north of the Staples NAPA store will be relocated. That site, he suggested, would make a very good trail head location, especially since a trail has always been included running over the overpass bridge.

Sommer, who will be finishing a written plan in the coming weeks, suggested some things, such as several miles of a completed

trail system, might appear

impossible to accomplish. “The idea should be to begin

simple, do a small portion to start with, and build on it as time and usage dictate. But she urged incorporation of a Dower Lake trail system into the final plan.

Some of the aspects of the plan currently being considered include:

o Allow for more electrical hookup camping sites at the park

o Either improvements or addition to the bathroom facilities.

o Reduce the overall size of the beach area and work on eliminating sand burrs from that beach area.

o Plant ‘no-mow’ fescue grass blend in the area to help with the sand burr.

o Re-configure handicap access to the park pavilion and beach area.

o Create a trail system within the park and one that goes around the lake, to the west side of the lake.

One idea from the researchers was to increase usage by keeping Dower Lake open longer, perhaps year round. Some of those ideas included:

o having an annual ice skating rink on the lake, hosting an annual winter festival (ice fishing, winter camping, etc)

o Maintain the trails for cross country skiing in winter

o Create an amphitheater space towards the pier end of the facility for a large summer festival

o Design a pavilion/ bathroom/ picnic area near the pier

o Re-configure the parking areas by the pier and softball fields

o New playground facility

o Outside shower at the beach, including a dog shower

o Outdoor hockey rink for pond hockey tournaments

o Sculpture park (concrete pads scattered throughout) – that would catch your eye.