Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The burn will take approximately one to four hours to complete and will occur on a weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
If you see smoke over the skies over Oakdale in the coming weeks, it could be a controlled burn at the nearby Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Washington County on Wednesday announced the controlled burn, which will happen between April 18 and May 17. The burn—conducted in conjunction with the local fire departments and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources—will take approximately one to four hours to complete and will occur on a weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The prairie burn will only be done when conditions are right, according to a release from the county, and it may be rescheduled several times. Officials will be on hand monitoring the burn. “Prairies are durable and complex grassland communities that provide food and cover for …
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Washington County is studying a slate of solutions to issues popping up at the popular park, including overflowing restrooms and a high rate of safety incidents.
Pack into Lake Elmo Park Reserve on a popular summer weekend and you know the No. 1 issue: the restrooms. Washington County staff and commissioners both commented on the lack of space and sanitary conditions at the restrooms in the park, according to a report compiled by the Minneapolis Star Tribune this week. The county is looking at what it can do to upgrade those facilities, or provide alternatives. But that's not the only issue. Click here to view the study online. According to the county, more than 450 incidents were reported to the county sheriff's department last year from the park. That's more than triple the number reported at any other park in Washington County. As a result, the sheriff's department wants to hire a full-time …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
After a strong season, the Lake Elmo Park Reserve ski trails will close for the year on Thursday. Grooming ended earlier this week on the two trails still open in Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and trail lights will be turned off Wednesday.
With a forecast for warm weather, all Washington County Park ski trails will be closed starting Thursday, March 28. Grooming ended earlier this week on the two trails still open in Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and trail lights will be turned off Wednesday. After a slow start, the ski season on the Lake Elmo Park Reserve lighted trails proved very popular this season, as well as use of the Nordic Center, which opened to accommodate skiers this year. “This has been one of the best ski seasons ever,” Washington County Parks Manager Mike Polehna said. “We’ve had a remarkable response from people all over the metro commenting about how great the new Nordic Center and lighted ski trails are.” The money for the Nordic Center and lighted trails is the …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
County board to celebrate opening of Nordic Center, lighted ski trails at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
Washington County has already earned an award for the lighted cross-country skiing trails at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. On Jan. 11, the county board will celebrate the official opening of the trails and new Nordic Center. “Cross country skiing trails have (received) great comments from the public,” County Commissioner Gary Kriesel said when the board approved the project. “They’re very popular out there.” The $1.3 million project features a new center that serves as the trailhead for the ski trails, along which the county in the fall of 2011 installed more than 200 LED lights on poles four to five feet tall. The fixtures are aimed at the ground to “minimize light escaping into the night sky,” according to a release from Washington County…
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012
The burn will be conducted between Sept. 20 and Oct. 18 at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.
If you see smoke in the skies east of Oakdale one day in the coming weeks, you shouldn’t be alarmed. Probably. Washington County on Wednesday announced an upcoming prescribed prairie burn at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. It will be conducted between Sept. 20 and Oct. 18. The controlled burn will take one to three hours to complete and will be done on a weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., according to a release from the county. The prairie burn will only be conducted when weather conditions are safe, and it may be rescheduled several times until conditions are right. Once the fire underway, crews will be on hand until it is completely extinguished. The Washington County Parks Division is doing the burn in conjunction with local fire …
Friday, July 27, 2012
Swimmers reported having diarrhea, prompting the county to close the pond and chlorinate the water.
Washington County officials have “super chlorinated” the swimming pond at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve after swimmers there reported getting diarrhea. The pond treatment is expected to be complete by 4 p.m. Friday and it should reopen on Saturday. “We had park maintenance staff working through the night to assure that the chlorine levels stayed at the appropriate super chlorination level,” John Elholm, parks director, said in a statement provided to Patch. “They tested the water each hour and added chemical when necessary.” While officials expect the pond to reopen Saturday, they will have to wait until chlorine levels drop to a level safe for swimming, and it’s not certain how long that will take. Check out the previous story: Illness Among…
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Swimmers have reported having diarrhea after being in the pond, according to a Washington County news release.
Recent illnesses among swimmers has prompted the closure of the pond at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Washington County announced Thursday, July 26. The pond will be closed for at least a day to allow for treatment for a “potential protozoan,” according to the release. It hasn’t yet been determined if swimmers who experienced diarrhea picked up the bug while swimming in the pond, but county officials have opted to “super chlorinate” the pond to eradicate the bug, if it is in the water. “Park visitor safety is our main concern,” John Elholm, parks director, said in the release. None of the cases have required hospitalization for the swimmers. “Two people with laboratory confirmed cases of Cryptosporidium (crypto) reported swimming at the Lake…
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Washington County beaches will be open for the Memorial Day weekend.
The beaches at Big Marine Park Reserve, Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Point Douglas Park, St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park and Square Lake Regional Park open Saturday, May 26, and will remain open through Labor Day. Beaches are open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. through July, and from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. in August. Starting June 9 and ending Aug. 12, lifeguards will be on duty daily from noon until 8 p.m. When lifeguards are not on duty, swimming is at your own risk. Here’s three tips from the Washington County Parks Department to ensure a safe and fun experience:
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Lake Elmo Park Reserve staff confirmed there was a controlled burn there Wednesday morning.
The billowing smoke that could be seen from Woodbury came from a controlled burn Wednesday morning at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, fire officials confirmed to Patch. The smoke had dissipated by noon. Washington County officials late last month announced the controlled burns. Below is the release: The Washington County Parks Division will conduct prescribed prairie burns in Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Big Marine Park Reserve, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park at the county’s South Service Center and the County’s North Service Center in Forest Lake between March 26 and May 18. The controlled burns will take approximately one to four hours to accomplish and will occur on a weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The controlled burns will be conducted …
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Who is going for a "unique Holiday walk" under the new lights? Share your experience with us in the comments and post your photos/videos.
Kris Janisch
2:45 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Somebody asked about snowshoeing here. Lessons will be held: http://patch.com/N-fG2y more ›