Parks director announces Feb. 21 ice-fishing derby, buoy maintenance estimate and winter operations

Park director Jeremy Ludland provided operations and events updates, announcing the ice-fishing derby will move to Epping Springbrook Dam this season and reviewing ongoing winter work.

"So we're gonna do, the ice fishing derby on February 21 at, Epping Springbrook Dam," Ludland said, noting the event is being relocated from Blacktail Dam because construction removed the indoor option. He said the board will keep the same community partners for the event and hopes the derby will help publicize summer park improvements.

Ludland said the park board plans to lease a parcel on the opposite side of Epping lake for grazing (a continuation of prior arrangements) and that staff will coordinate with the water board and local staff to formalize the lease and prevent cattle from using that parcel going forward. He also said staff will continue work with the Moen family and Stoney Creek partners on cover crops and other buffer measures to improve water quality.

On buoy maintenance, Ludland said LG Sonic has offered to send technicians to inspect and service buoys and that, based on preliminary discussion, the visit "is gonna be a pretty reasonable cost. I think it's gonna cost $2,000," though he said a formal quote would be provided next month.

For winter operations, Ludland described targeted ice removal to support ice fishing and efforts to scrape and sand a new bypass stretch at Blacktail where drivers have run off the road; staff also plan to post new signage and keep a small stockpile of sand for quick response. He said staff will test cross-country ski-trail routes with the goal of an accessible loop between about 1 and 1.5 miles and hoped to have at least a short loop ready before the seasonal break if weather cooperates.

The board took these updates as informational and asked staff to return with any formal quotes and schedule details at a subsequent meeting.