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Board approves moving parks funds after DNR easement limits work at Big Bend Park
Summary
Pine County agreed to let the City of Willow River move up to $25,000 in dedicated parks funding from Big Bend Park to Willow River Dam Park after the DNR said an easement limits allowed work at the originally planned site.
County staff told the board that the City of Willow River requested permission to shift a previously approved up‑to‑$25,000 parks and recreation allocation from Big Bend Park to Willow River Dam Park. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources informed the city that a wild and scenic river easement covers much of the Big Bend site and lists activities that cannot be performed there.
Staff described the alternative scope for the Dam Park—gravel improvements to a road and parking area, fence repair, porta‑toilets, picnic amenities and barbecue grills—and asked the board to approve amending the agreement. A commissioner asked whether the DNR can block county bridge or infrastructure projects; staff explained the DNR easement in question is specific to that parcel and does not automatically apply to adjacent properties or routine county bridges.
The board moved and approved the amendment to allow moving the dedicated funds to Willow River Dam Park.
