The wind in the maples

A favorable wind is finally blowing through the hardwoods in Maplewood State Park.

In May five signs were installed along Interstate 94 at Exit 32 (State Highway 108) directing traffic from both directions to the Park. Although this seemed to be a no-brainer type of decision, it took much time, effort, money and lobbying. These signs are now there due to the efforts of the Friends of Maplewood State Park, in particular Volunteer Jane Aschnewitz, Congressmen Bud Nornes and Dean Simpson, Senators Cal Larson and Keith Langseth and a most generous donation from the Frank Vedin Trust of Fergus Falls. Even State Highway 108 from Interstate 94 to Pelican Rapids has been resurfaced this summer at a cost of $1.2 million!

In June the State and Otter Tail County completed resurfacing of Park Entrance Road from Highway 108 to the Grass Lake Campground. It was sorely needed. The horses in their trailers, motorcyclists and bikers are happy to get on smooth tar after seven miles of 108 East. First impressions of the Park are now more favorable.

Through the hard work of the Friends of Maplewood State Park group, especially by Jeff Grunewald and John Nordstrom, the trail center in nearing completion at the Catarac Lake trailhead. It will serve as a warming house in the winter. The building itself was moved to Maplewood from Glacial Lakes State Park.

On July 16th there will be groundbreaking for the new picnic shelter at the swimming beach on South Lida. Almost $90,000 plus many material and labor donations have been made towards this project in memory of Park Ranger Bob and wife Kathy's son Joshua Hanson who was killed in Iraq last August. Even DNR park officials have been amazed by this outpouring of local support. The Friends of Maplewood hope the shelter will be finished in time for their annual Leaf Days fundraiser the last weekend in September.

What can you do to help besides being a happy taxpayer? Buy an annual park sticker and visit Maplewood. When were you last out there? Encourage others to camp there, hike and bike there, fish there, picnic there, relax there, watch birds and wildlife there, swim in South Lida, hike up Hallaway Hill. Lobby for the Park. Join the Friends of Maplewood State Park, attend their Annual Dinner Meeting in the Park in September. Support their activities and help spread the word about the many things Maplewood has to offer. Maplewood Park is to be enjoyed twelve months of the year, not just for leaf gawking in the fall.

We hope that visitors to the Park will find the amenities they want in and around 56572 and become regular visitors. The park is there for all to enjoy. With all the improvements going on we can be assured that Maplewood has a brighter future and will be there, in good shape, for our kids and grandkids. Invest in your Maplewood State Park. Your investment will be richly rewarded. Be a part of the wind in the maples.