Camping future at Riverside Park

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Upgrading Riverside Park to a primitive campground is an idea that is quickly gaining momentum.

Park and Recreation Director David Bechtold said he is "excited" about the possibility of upgrading the 13-acre park that runs along the Minnesota River, just off Front Street.

The idea surfaced in a memo from Councilor Joel Albrecht to his fellow councilors a few days after this year's Riverblast which was held at the park in mid September.

"My understanding of the requirements for a primitive campground would be several loads of gravel to make a road and lot markers," Albrecht wrote. "There may also be a need for one or two mini-biffs."

Bechtold said he is depending heavily on Scott Sparlin, executive director of Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, for preliminary planning for the upgrade.

Sparlin, who was involved in conversations with Albrecht and others at Riverblast, said planning is in the initial, "formulation" stages.

"What we have determined is there would be a need for a road, with a gravel base, which would follow the river just above flood plain to access the individual campsites," he explained.

Sparlin said the New Ulm Area Sport Fishermen, of which he is president, would be one of the driving forces in making the upgrade happen because "it is vitally interested in developing Riverside Park as a gateway in using the river."

While there is much that could be done in improving the park, Sparlin said he is reining himself in because "money is always in short supply for these types of things, and the important thing is to come up with something that is affordable."

While Albrecht approached other councilors in an informal way, Sparlin said there's been no negative feedback (from the council) as far as he knows.

The question of who would maintain the park hasn't been answered, Sparlin said.

"There are options, but no determinations as of yet. I don't think our organization would want to get involved in a regular maintenance program, but we certainly would consider occasional cleanups like we have now with the 'adopt-a-river' campaign."

In his memo, Albrecht said the park is not living up to its potential.

"Many years ago, that park was the most heavily used of our entire system. While it is a very beautiful park, its usage is next to zero."

Sparlin said he couldn't agree more.

"The park is New Ulm's only real contact with the river," he noted. "What we're talking about is people being able to access the river on a major scale."