Park users comment on Fort Ridgely

Park to develop additional 15 acres as

campground

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

FAIRFAX -- Area horseback riding enthusiasts, nature lovers and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials converged Monday night at the chalet at Fort Ridgely State Park.

The open house was held to discuss proposed changes to the newly-acquired, 15-acre Valley View Campground that, along with a soon-to-be-completed paved bike trail to Fairfax, will change the park's management plan and its boundaries this year.

A draft plan amendment, maps and related information were mulled by dozens of outdoor lovers.

The park's existing management plan was approved in 1983. A golf course amendment was added in 2000. The Minnesota Legislature approved a 467-acre boundary expansion in 2001, nearly doubling the park's size.

Chuck and Joyce Firle opened the private campground in 1994 and operated it as an overnight camp with horses for rent. The business closed in 1998 when it was realized that 1,000 annual riders were needed to cover insurance costs.

According to oral history, the horse camp was once the location of a creamery. The old creamery road can still be seen coming down a wooded hillside on the north side of Fort Ridgely Creek.

The park's current horse campground has 20 campsites, five with electricity. Amenities include water, fire rings and picnic tables.

The new horse campground has 22 sites with electric hookups and three non-electric sites. Campsites will be placed to meet the needs of campers with horse trailers. A sanitation building with showers, water, a large drainfield and dump station were built 10 years ago.

On Monday, park officials and the Friends of Fort Ridgely sought comments on questions like what amenities should be part of the horse campground and how to protect the drainfield from horses walking on it.

Among those attending the open house was Pam Messner of rural Gibbon. She and her husband Rich were married at the first Western wedding at the horse campground with the help of the Firles a decade ago. Everybody in the wedding wore Western clothing and spent the night camping out in recreational vehicles.

"It's a beautiful place to camp," Pam Messner said.

Karen and William "Tiny" Brinkman of rural New Ulm are history lovers who enjoy the outdoors and horses, riding with the Klossner Riders.

They live in a home that was spared during the 1862 Dakota Conflict because the homeowners gave the Indians bread when they were starving.

"While everybody is pinching pennies nowdays due to budget issues, isn't it great to have such a park?" Karen Brinkman said. "We really enjoy camping up here. We have so many really good times here. Expanding the park is really a plus for everybody."

John Sommer of Fairfax said the park is rare in that it offers golfing, historical sites, camping, horseback riding, hiking and will soon connect with Fairfax via a paved bike trail.

Nori Houlson of Fairfax said she remembered going to the park for winter sliding, school, church and bus picnics decades ago.

"It's such a wonderful park," Houlson said.

On Saturday, July 10, the park amphitheater and trail will be dedicated in the afternoon. In the morning, a trail dedication will take place at Fairfax Depot Park.

Those unable to attend the open house but interested in the draft plan amendment can call the park at 507- 426-7840.

Comments are due by June 17. They can be submitted via e-mail to:

carmelita.nelson@dnr.state.mn.us or mailed to Carmelita Nelson, Mn DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 39, St. Paul., MN 55155; or faxed to 651- 296-6532.