The Morrison County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance Dec. 9 to allow visible retaining walls as part of an ADA‑compliant ramp and landing project at Belpre Park on the Mississippi River.

Amy (Land Services staff) summarized the proposal: Belpre Park is a 138.2‑acre county‑owned park in Belpre Township adjacent to the Mississippi River. The public works department secured a $924,516 grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Commission and the county entered into a related contract on Sept. 10, 2024. The adopted concept calls for a switchback ramp and landings to an ADA‑compliant slope with about 182 feet of poured concrete retaining walls (varying heights, all at or below 4 feet) to replace a stairway in disrepair and improve safety and accessibility.

Public Works and environmental‑recreation staff provided photos and site observations showing sandy‑loam, highly erodible soils and visible bank erosion near the stairway and boat landing. County staff said archaeological constraints to the north (a site on the National Register) and bluff conditions to the south limit options to relocate the ramp, and that the retaining walls are required to bench and support the ADA path without extensive excavation or moving into sensitive areas. Staff also emphasized Morrison County’s demographics (an elderly population share and a higher veteran population) and argued the ramp would expand safe access for elderly, disabled and veteran users.

Board members discussed alternative stabilization methods, long‑term visibility from the water, proposed native plantings to screen walls over time, life expectancy of poured concrete (design life estimated at 50+ years) and the public benefit for youth and accessibility. Several members stressed the parcel is unique in the county — one of two parks on the Mississippi and the only county‑owned site — and said an approval here should not be read as a general precedent for private shoreline retaining walls.

After answering the six statutory finding questions in the affirmative, Brent moved and George seconded approval of the retaining‑wall variance tied to the ramp project. The motion carried and the board approved the variance as requested. County staff said vegetation planting plans are intended to minimize visibility of the retaining walls from the water over the coming years.