Battle Lake, MN -(Ammoland.com)- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division, Otter Tail County and the city of Battle Lake will celebrate the completion of the Glendalough Trail on Friday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m., at the Glendalough State Park Trail Center.
The ceremony will include a ribbon-cutting event with remarks from Erika Rivers, DNR Parks and Trails director; Dave Radford, DNR Parks and Trails archaeologist; Dan Malmstrom, trail advocate; Battle Lake Mayor Chuck Reeve and state Rep. Bud Nornes. The $500,000 state park trail project was funded by the 2012 Legislature bonding bill and a federal recreation trail program grant.
The newly paved trail in the park was completed in October 2013 and starts at the bridge over Battle Creek, provides a loop through the park that traverses oak forest and restored prairie grassland, and offers views of Annie Battle and Molly Stark lakes. At the south park entrance road, the state park portion connects to the recently completed section of trail on county and city land, creating a continuous 12-mile loop between the park and Battle Lake.
Trail design and placement ensured that the trail avoided impacts to sensitive archaeological sites, wetlands and prairies.
“This was a great partnership with Otter Tail County and the city of Battle Lake,” said Jeff Wiersma, Glendalough State Park manager. “There has already been a positive economic impact to the city and the park due to this project.”
“It’s great to see people enjoying the outdoors,” Rivers said. “Bicycling at Glendalough State Park is very popular. Bikers can expect a safe, smooth and enjoyable outdoor experience while they meander through the incredible scenery along the lakes.”
The celebration will also include an open house for the newly constructed yurts on the east side of Annie Battle Lake. There are two yurts accessible by water with boat, canoe or kayak, or on land by hiking, biking, skiing or snowshoeing the new trail.
One yurt is 20 feet in diameter, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and sleeps up to seven people. The other is 16 feet in diameter and sleeps a maximum of five people. Overnight visitors will need to bring their own bedding or sleeping bags. They should also bring a lantern, headlamp or flashlight, because electricity is not available inside any of the structures.
The yurts will rent for $45 to $55 a night through the end of 2014 and for $50 to $65 a night starting in 2015. Reservations will soon be made year-round, up to a year in advance.
“We’re excited to offer these yurts as a new camping opportunity at the park,” Wiersma said. “It is a great addition to the more primitive camping (cart-in) and fishing (nonmotorized) experiences at the park.”
Construction of the yurts was made possible by the Parks and Trails Fund, created after voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in November 2008. The Parks and Trails Fund receives 14.25 percent of the sales tax revenue and may only be spent to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
About the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Minnesota charged with conserving and managing the state’s natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals, wildlife, and forestry. The agency is currently divided into sections Ecological Resources, Enforcement, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Lands and Minerals, Waterways, Parks and Trails, and Waters.