Great News! Another YES Vote!
Great News! Make Sure to Write a Thank You Email . . .
Today the County Board voted 3-2 (Sawatzke, Thelen and Eichelberg), to provide the County share of the local match to complete a phase 3 acquisition at Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park, this phase includes the area between Long and Bertram Lakes.
Now we will be working with the YMCA on a closing date, survey of the property, appraisal, update to the MOU, and purchase agreements. The goal is to complete the purchase by the end of 2011.
We’d like to encourage you to write and email thank you to each of the three commissioners supporting the Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park. Please take a minute to write (sample text provided below):
patrick.sawatzke@co.wright.mn.us
elmer.eichelberg@co.wright.mn.us
Sample Text: “Thank you for voting YES to provide the county share of the local match to complete phase 3 acquistion of teh Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.”
We know they would love to hear from you! Thanks so much for your continued support!
Family Fun Day 2011 A Success
Thanks for Participating in Family Fun Day!
Saturday was a picture perfect day for exploring the planned Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
The Family Fun Day is an opportunity for visitors to experience the full breadth of what is planned to be a 1200 acre regional park cooperatively owned and operated by Wright County and the City of Monticello.
The park saw close to 900 visitors on Saturday – a mix of new and returning visitors from across the County and beyond.
To see the public photo album, follow this link:
Among the host of activities:
A Narrated horse-drawn carriage ride around the north side of Long Lake.
Buckthorn walking sticks, made with the help of the Friends of Bertram Lakes Regional Park
Fishing off the docks at Bertram – and the sunnies were biting!
Face-painting by Monticello Royalty at Bertram Beach
Kayaking and Canoeing at Long Lake – with kayaks and canoes courtesy of Clear Water Outfitters
Critters including snakes and lizards from the MN Herpetological Society
At the amphitheatre – Animals Nobody Loves and Raptors from the Wildlife Science Center.
Thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors and organizations that make the event so successful – Xcel Energy, Cargill Corporation, Clear Water Outfitters, Moon Motors, FiberNet Monticello, theMonticello Lions, New River Medical Center, Veolia, Wright County Sheriff’s Dept (mounted patrol), the MCC staff, the Friends of Bertram Lakes and last, but certainly not least, the Park Departments of the City and County, who ready the park for the event and make it look effortless!
The Friends of Bertram Lakes, the City of Monticello and Wright County continue to work to make this park a reality. We invite residents to visit the 370 acres of public park this summer and we thank you for all of your support!
Please leave your comments and stories below!
Wright County Trail and Bikeway Plan
Wright County Trail and Bikeway Plan Ready for Review
Wright County is unveiling the Draft Trail and Bikeway Plan at two community meetings this June. The first meeting is Wednesday, June 1, 2011 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Clearwater City Hall (605 County Road 75, Clearwater, MN 55320). The second meeting is on Monday, June 6, 2011 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Wright County Public Works Building in Buffalo (1901 Highway 25 North, Buffalo, MN 55313). A summary of the plan will be presented at 7:00 p.m.
The goal of the Trail and Bikeways Master Plan is to improve county-wide connectivity and to foster active living. The Wright County Plan is a guide to future bikeway and trail development, operations,and implementation. The Plan was funded by a grant from the Statewide Health Improvement Program and Live Wright.
The public is invited to view the Plan, hear a brief presentation and provide their ideas and suggestions. The Plan can also be viewed on-line from May 27th onward. Input from the public, County officials and County staff will help shape the final plan which is likely to go before the County Board in late June.
Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market!
Thanks to everyone who came out to see us at the Farmer’s Marketing on a very cold and rainy day!
In addition to our booth, there were fresh breads, maple syrup, canned
goods, first of the season asparagus, wonderful photos, educational information, flowers, plant, state-of-the-art fertilizers, and much, much more.
AND . . . we even had live accordion music! A great day out in spite of the cold.
We’ll be there again on Thursday, June 9th from 3:00 until 7:00 PM. We hope you can join us!
Important Action Alert
IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT
This ACTION ALERT just in from Marc Mattice:
The House Legacy Committee has completed its work on its Legacy bill voted to bill out of committee on Wednesday (4-27). The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will amend its bill and vote the bill out of committee today (4-28).
Where we stand:
The park and trail legacy split in the House bill is 40% exclusive to DNR, 40% exclusive to metro parks, and 20% is non-exclusive funding to the Statewide Grants Program which metro counties and agencies can apply for. The park and trail legacy split in the Senate is 37% to DNR, 37% to metro park, and 26% to the Statewide Grant Program exclusive to Greater MN. These splits are exclusive to each of the three entities. The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Coalition fully supports the senate language, while urging House members to vote for the House plan as the best deal that could be reached in the body.
Spring Clean Up Day
Join Us for Spring Clean Up Day!
We will be cleaning up the area surrounding Bertram Lakes and we could use your help.
What: Spring Clean Up Day
When: Saturday, April 30 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
Where: The future home of Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park
Driving Directions to the Land: Take 39 West to Briarwood Avenue, Go South on Briarwood 1 mi.,
Park will be on the left side.
Details: We’ll supply the plastic bags, but we suggestion you wear waterproof footwear and work gloves.
It’s a great way for the whole family to spend time outdoors and you’ll be donating time to a good cause. Together we can keep this land pristine!
We hope to see you there!
Pancake Breakfast a Success
Pancake Breakfast was a Success!
What a wonderful time we had at our the Pancake Breakfast. Nearly 100 people joined us for breakfast on Saturday, April 9th to support The Friends of Bertam Chain of Lakes. The joint was jumping!
Thanks to everyone who volunteered with either their skills, their dollars, or their appetites! 
A special thank you to Applebees of Monticello for allowingus to use their facility and for the staff of Applebees for training and helping us. You made it easy!
If you enjoyed this, let us know and maybe we’ll do it again!
MN Parks and Trails Donation
Donate Online to Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes
Did you know you can make an online donation to Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes through the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota? It’s easy and it’s tax deductible! Just go to this link:
http://budurl.com/DonationforFOBL
Remember when you enter your donation to designate “Friends of Bertram Lakes” in the Donation Info section (Gift Restrictions.)
We really appreciate your support! Together we can save this land! 
Have a story to tell us about Bertram Lakes, make sure to comment below or write us directly at friendsofbertramlakes@hotmail.com.
