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April 30, 2000
Enjoying the outdoors: Friends of Flandrau clean Cottonwood RiverBy FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Volunteers donned waterproof boots, climbed into canoes and enjoyed the warm sunshine, chirping birds and the rest of the beauty of the Cottonwood River Saturday. The annual Earth Day Spring Cleanup, hosted by the Friends of Flandrau State Park, netted three automobile tires, several feet of heavy cable, a plastic children's swimming pool and assorted garbage between the beach and Brown County Highway 13. Several tractor tires were among the debris picked up between the beach and Schell's Brewery. Cyle Gruver of New Ulm said he works with several volunteer groups that work at Flandrau and the Cottonwood River. He oversees recycling of collected debris. "I enjoy coming out here and putzing around," said Gruver. "It's a good Saturday afternoon walk. I love to canoe and inner tube on this river." Due to the recent rainfall, the river is now navigable by canoe and inner tube in most areas. The river is still a bit shallow near the rapids, according to Gruver. Besides litter pickup, Friends of Flandrau member Phil Davis of New Ulm planted 20 Burr Oak and Green Ash shade trees in the campgrounds, around the swimming pool and at the group center. Gruver and Charles Stevens, Roger Lindholm and Ellan Vancura, all New Ulm doctors, have been known to extend their ventures over much greater distances, too. All have have done or plan to make volunteer trips to Guatemala under the auspices of the Diocese of New Ulm. The New Ulmites provided medical, reforestation and other volunteer work in Central America. "I love going to Guatemala," said Gruver. Tom Schmitz of New Ulm praised the Friends of Flandrau for the event. "The Friends of Flandrau is an excellent organization," said Schmitz. "They help the park out a lot with volunteer help and financial aid for park projects." Schmitz said the Cottonwood River was very low earlier this spring. "We may not have been able to see all the garbage because the river level recently came up and probably hid some things," said Schmitz. "Right now, I would call it barely navigable. Rain would certainly help out river recreation." Schmitz said the Friends of Flandrau are gearing up for another busy summer, hiring seasonal part-time staff, getting the pool ready to open Friday of Memorial Day weekend and working on construction projects. Lots of summer campground reservations have already been made at the park, according to Schmitz. The Annual Flandrau Fest Beach Party, open to the public, is set for Saturday, July 8.
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