GRANITE FALLS — Two recreation projects with region-wide implications took steps forward last week through support from Yellow Medicine County officials.

At Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, the board endorsed construction of a new water line and additional parking space next to the Canby Sportsman’s Club. Located next to the county fairgrounds on the north side of Canby, it’s the site of a proposed 9,600 square foot recreation and event center.

The board also agreed to continue discussion with the city of Granite Falls to improve the walkway area between the Minnesota River and Memorial Park, which is undergoing a grant-funded set of improvements with assistance from the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission.

Canby Sportsman’s Club President Dave Verhelst met with the board to request support for water line and parking improvements.

A new water line for the recreation center will run along the east side of the fairgrounds to property that will house a new bus garage for vehicles owned by the five-county Prairie Five Community Action agency. From there, it will continue underneath the fairgrounds horse arena to the recreational facility.

Verhelst said the water line extension will meet all water service needs, and also offer better fire-related emergency response. Commissioners voted in favor of the plan as proposed.

“Now’s the time to do it,” said Commissioner Glen Kack. “We’re already putting in a new line for the bus garage, so it makes sense to do everything at once.”

The board also voiced support for converting a triangular parcel of land at the side of the fairgrounds speedway into year-round parking space. It will allow multi-purpose parking for seasonal fairgrounds events and year-round Sportsman’s Club activities.

Verhelst said the triangular parking area will be the most convenient location to park and walk to the proposed recreation and event center. Other parking in the vicinity of the horse arena will be enough for its maximum event-related capacity, which is expected to total about 450 people.

The board delayed action on the parking plan to allow County Attorney Keith Helgeson to review insurance related liability for accidents and the possible use of third party snow removal (by Sportsman’s Club members). His findings will influence whether the triangular parking area should remain in county ownership or be owned by the Sportsman’s Club.

“Some of us would like to break ground next year if possible,” Verhelst said. “If more time is needed to put together the funding, we’ll aim to start construction in 2021.”

Commissioner John Berends reported to the rest of the county board about the Memorial Park project status in Granite Falls and the city’s interest in owning the walkway as well as adjacent land.

The park was founded in the 1920s in honor of World War I veterans. It was expanded through 1930s Works Progress Administration construction activities.

Historically, the walkway led from the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and Minnesota Highway 23 to the bathhouse and riverside beach area. That portion of Memorial Park had to be abandoned in the 1970s after repeated flood damage made it impractical to maintain.

The walkway could once again serve as a link from the city to the park, however, since it extended to other features such as the large concrete picnic shelter, campground, paved multi-purpose trail, and the former amphitheater which has potential for restoration.

It’s also likely to help with a final stage in park redevelopment, which includes a new public fishing pier designed to extend out toward the river channel.

The city’s grant includes a requirement that all historic elements of Memorial Park, including the walkway, be restored rather than taken out and replaced. It will involve removal of silt that has a depth of up to about two feet in places, followed by restoration of sidewalk areas that have seen long-term deterioration.

“The city would like to own the land where the bathhouse was located,” Berends said. “They’d plant grass and possibly include some landscaping, enough to make it look like a park.”

He added that walkway upgrades will be needed in order to determine the best location and dimensions of a new fishing pier.

Commissioners decided by consensus to give county-owned walkway area land to the city if it is willing to pay for transaction costs. Feedback from city officials will be brought back to the board.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved a hands-free driving personnel policy as proposed by county staff. Yellow Medicine County Administrator Angie Steinbach said the policy was drafted to meet all specifications of Minnesota’s new safe driving law that takes effect Aug. 1, without putting unnecessary restrictions on the use of mobile technology.

“It’s based on the restrictions put in place by the state,” Steinbach said. “We’re requiring all employees to do what’s needed to obey the law.”

The board also voted to provide a modified letter of support in response to a request from a telecommunications provider interested in serving Yellow Medicine County residents.

The letter expresses support for broadband service in general, as well as a willingness to work with any qualified providers who can help to provide the best possible service. It stops short of endorsing one particular company, since it might be an advantage for residents to have at least two choices of providers.

“If it expresses a general support for broadband, I’m in favor of doing that,” said Commissioner Ron Antony. “I’m supportive of this particular company and any others who can help to provide good, affordable service.”