By Teri Knight, News Director
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is among the smaller parks in Minnesota with 1646 acres. Since the pandemic started, the Big Woods has seen an enormous influx of people. Park Ranger, Laurel Quill said attendance, with many brand new park users has increased by 400%. There are 125 parking spaces and no parking on the roadway. Quill added, “so Nerstrand has sort of been hit by a perfect storm. Our available staff that we have been able to get back have all been redeployed just to deal with the traffic management situation. You’ve probably seen our Park Rangers out front waving people along, kind of doing a limited entry in and out of the park and, because we’ve had so many visitors all of our attention has had to shift into keeping the public safe once they do get here”. A neighbor has opened
up his lawn for parking for $15 a day per car. Quill made it clear he is not associated with the park. She added, “we can’t necessarily control what private landowners do however if a park is so crowded that you have to pay to park in somebody’s lawn then the park is over capacity and you should find somewhere else to recreate”. There is an app on the DNR’s website, called Recreation Compass, to find other parks. Additionally they are understaffed by three positions and the State has a hiring freeze. 
They can’t open the Visitor Center but have supplied a dozen portable toilets. Quill said they just reopened the south end of the park which is generally saturated due to clay. She said, “we have over 6 miles of amazing hiking on that side and it’s just not as popular as the north side of the park so I would strongly encourage people who are looking for a more remote wilderness experience to check out that south side”. They had to close the area where the very rare endangered dwarf trout lily is in the Hidden Falls area as people were stepping off the trail to social distance and trampling them. Quill discusses the environmental impact this is having on the park as well intentioned people walk off the trail to keep their distance. Her full interview is HERE.
Nfld Charter asks for inclusion in Oath of Office
As per request of the Northfield Charter Commission, the Northfield Council unanimously approved an amendment calling for a public hearing. Mayor Pownell explained, “it was recommended to the council to consider adding a statement when we’re sworn into office, our Oath, acknowledging that the Charter is our, kind of, founding documents and that we will abide by it and make sure we are following it”. Mayor Pownell. C. Peterson White commented at the meeting, “I don’t either have any sort of, on the surface, objection to the language in this since I think it basically reflects reality, but I’m also, I want to hear that there’s a problem we’re trying to solve here or a reason to change and I just haven’t heard that yet”. She believes they should consult the City Attorney. In the past, when the Charter Commission has come forward with a recommendation on policy to the Council, it has not often been met with a civil tone. There was a dispute regarding State statute versus our City’s Charter, which is more stringent in some areas. In 2015, then Chair Tim Clack approached them regarding a decision over the Land Development Code. The state required just a 4/3 vote while the City’s Charter demands a 5/2 vote. The City Attorney weighed in on the state statute side. The history includes the question of who interprets the Charter and who enforces it. Since then, Clack resigned from the Charter Commission after his attempts to open conversation were less than hospitable from those on the Council and, in his view, disrespectful of the Charter. There have been other attempts to open communication. Current Chair of the Charter, Lance Heisler brought forth this recent request. The public hearing will be held July 21st. All seven members of the council must approve it to pass. Peterson White has been on the council since 2012, Mayor Pownell since 2008. The Charter document.
Covid cases in Rice Co.
Cases of covid-19 in Rice County stand at 743 as this morning. 29 of those cases were hospitalized at some point with 10 needing ICU. There have been 4 deaths. 65% of the positive cases live in private residence, 26% are from the Prison, 8% is unknown and 1% are from a long term care or group home setting. Faribault accounts for 653 of the positive cases, Northfield at 75 (not including Dakota Co.) and 15 are from rural areas. Link to Rice Co. Public Health Covid page.
