Friends of Potters Field ask Dunn County for easement, committee agrees to pursue sign and small parking area

A volunteer group that cares for Potter Cemetery asked Dunn County for permission March 12 to place a state historical marker and a small parking/turnaround along Highway 12 near the “Welcome to Menomonie” sign. The Friends of Potters Field said they will raise the money for the marker and parking improvements but require an easement or county permission because the highway parcel is county property.

Speaker Dave Williams identified himself as treasurer of the Friends of Potters Field and described 14 years of volunteer maintenance, a fence installed with highway department help and plans to apply to the State Historic Society for a highway historic sign. Williams said the group would raise funds for the sign and a small gravel parking/turnaround.

Highway staff told the committee the parcel in question is county‑owned land adjacent to the highway; the county previously granted the City of Menomonie an easement to access a welcome sign on that property. Staff said options include amending the existing easement to add access for the Friends group or creating a separate easement. County survey and legal counsel involvement will be required to draft legal descriptions and a quitclaim or easement instrument.

Committee members indicated support for granting an easement and for county assistance to build a small gravel turnaround/parking area. Staff said the sign application and most work would likely occur in 2026, and that any county cost would be addressed in a future budget adjustment if necessary. One member said the county could budget the small sign/parking cost in 2026 rather than in the 2025 budget.

Ending: Staff will proceed with preparing the easement language and support the Friends’ application to the State Historic Society; the committee encouraged the project and asked staff to return with details on legal descriptions and any budget impacts.