Stearns County Approves Kraemer Lake Wildwood Park Plan

ST. CLOUD -- The Stearns County Board of Commissioners has approved a master plan for developing Kraemer Lake Wildwood Park near St. Joseph.

The project has drawn opposition from residents of the lake who have shared concerns over the development of the park and its impact on the lake and surrounding area. SRF Consulting's Stewart Crosby says they crafted a plan that would minimize development while adding park features like trails, a fishing pier, swimming beach, canoe launch, and picnic areas. Crosby says less than 9 acres of the park will actually be developed. He adds, less than 8% of the shoreline will be impacted.

Commissioner Duane Mareck says he wants to see the park have a motorized boat launch so all residents can utilize the lake in the same manner as lake shore owners.

The master plan allows the county to apply for grants and gives developers a road map on how to proceed. The $3,100,000 project would be developed in four phases.

Phase 1 includes construction on Kipper Road, 54 parking spaces, the main picnic shelter, restrooms, fishing pier and paved trail access.

Phase 2 includes development of the small picnic areas, canoe launch, turf work, and a small play area.

Phase 3 finishes the parking lot with 50 more spaces, adds a vault restroom, develops the beach area and creates new trails.

The final future phase would include a new hiking trail, restoration of the trailhead parking lot and ecological restoration.

Most of the funding will come from state grants, property taxes and the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.

There is no timeline on when construction would begin.