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MARSHALL -- Two meetings on the transfer of Upper Sioux Agency State Park lands are coming up next week, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.
A work session will be held from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday at the Kilowatt Community Center in Granite Falls, followed by a public open house meeting from 5-6 p.m. The DNR said the meetings will discuss ideas for investing in outdoor recreation in the upper Minnesota River Valley.
Finding new opportunities for recreation in the region is one of the steps that needs to be addressed in the process of transferring the current Upper Sioux Agency State Park to the Upper Sioux Community.
This spring, state lawmakers passed legislation directing the DNR to start the transfer process for the state park lands. The transfer legislation has several provisions, including that the DNR submit a report to the Legislature identifying possible barriers to the transfer; and an appropriation of $5 million to facilitate the land transfer.
In June, the DNR held public engagement sessions where area residents were asked to share ideas to enhance or create new outdoor recreation opportunities along the Minnesota River.
The DNR said Wednesday's upcoming work session will focus on refining ideas for enhancing current outdoor recreation opportunities in the area and finding new recreation opportunities. The DNR will report on ideas that have been submitted, and local governments will also talk about recreation opportunities they manage.
At the open house meeting, DNR staff will be present to share information, answer questions and share feedback.
A second work session will be held this fall to continue the planning process, the DNR said.