Nisswa: Public shows up to learn more about Nisswa Lake Park

Reed Larson of the Nisswa Lake Park Steering Committee explains one of three park renderings to JoAnn Johnson on Thursday, Feb. 5, at an open house at the Nisswa Community Center where residents were invited to provide feedback on park development.Photo by Nancy Vogt

By Nancy Vogt

February 11, 2015 03:47 PM

A constant stream of people circulated through the Nisswa Community Center for three hours Thursday, Feb. 5, to learn more about development of the proposed Nisswa Lake Park & Recreational Area and to share their opinions.

The Nisswa Lake Park & Recreational Area Steering Committee hosted the informational open house for the public to learn more about the lakeside park project and to provide input on the best development options for the land.

At the open house, a steering committee member was at each of three stations that detailed a different park development scenario, from least to most developed. Committee members explained each scenario numerous times as people filtered through, and answered questions. Residents were encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts.

Proposed park amenities include biking and/or walking trails, interpretive signage, observation areas, a gazebo or other gathering spots, restroom facilities, benches, a pier, a swimming area and boat docking facilities. Both large-scaled maps and computer-animated graphics provided a snapshot of how the designs look and work with the actual property's landscape.

Steering Committee members took notes, and residents were asked to complete a three-question survey at the open house. An "online open house" is available now through Feb. 19 for people who were unable to attend the Feb. 5 open house to share their thoughts.

The next step is to compile feedback from the Feb. 5 and online open houses to come up with a final park development scenario that incorporates the amenities most mentioned. The steering committee will then recommend that scenario to the city council.

Steve Roos, with the University of Minnesota's Center for Rural Design, which is helping the committee, said amenities can be phased in over time as well. He said the steering committee did a good job of respecting the limit of what all can be included on a 2-acre parcel of land.

For more information about this project, visit the city of Nisswa's website at www.ci.nisswa.mn.us/NisswaLake .

Carolyn Blanck of the Nisswa Lake Park Steering Committee explains one of three park development options at an open house Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Nisswa Community Center, where people were invited to share their thoughts about the park.Photo by Nancy Vogt

Related Topics: NISSWA NISSWA LAKE PARK

By Nancy Vogt

Nancy Vogt is editor of the Pineandlakes Echo Journal, a weekly newspaper that covers eight communities in the Pequot Lakes-Pine River areas - from Nisswa to Hackensack and Pequot Lakes to Crosslake.

She started as editor of the Lake Country Echo in July 2006, and continued in that role when the Lake Country Echo and the Pine River Journal combined in September 2013 to become the Pineandlakes Echo Journal. She worked for the Brainerd Dispatch from 1992-2006 in various roles.

She covers Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Lake Shore and Crosslake city councils, as well as writes feature stories, news stories and personal columns (Vogt's Notes). She also takes photos at community events.

Contact her at nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com or 218-855-5877 with story ideas or questions. Be sure to leave a voicemail message!