Rochester, Minn. (KTTC) – In a significant development, the City of Lanesboro has been awarded a substantial $60,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This grant is set to bring about remarkable improvements to the shorelines of Sylvan Park Ponds. The initiative aims to enhance the fishing experience and make it more accessible for all anglers.Enhancing Fishing Opportunities
In January, the Minnesota DNR received nearly $150 million in state funds through its “Get Out More” initiative. This funding is dedicated to upgrading shorelines and fishing infrastructure across the state. Lanesboro city leaders were quick to recognize the opportunity and secured this grant money. Melissa Wagner, the Lanesboro Area Fishing Supervisor for the DNR, emphasized the importance of this grant. “We did it pretty quick,” Wagner stated. “It only took about two weeks to complete, and we are fortunate that we have a construction crew located at the Lanesboro DNR office.” This efficient process has allowed the city to move forward with their plans to improve fishing accessibility.The Sylvan Park Ponds are the first projects of the DNR’s “Get out more” initiative to be completed in the state. Fishing is a vital part of the Lanesboro community, as there are no natural lakes in the area. Wagner explained, “Fishing’s a very huge part of the community, and we don’t have any natural lakes down here, so we need to try to find other places, other than lakes or docks, that people can fish.” This grant provides a much-needed solution to meet the community’s fishing needs.Wayne Pray, a local fishing guide and Root River Fly shop employee, believes that projects like this keep fishing traditions intact. “It’s wonderful, because, you know, this is how we get the future of fly fisherman, or fisherman, like I started when I was three years old,” Pray stated. The project not only benefits current anglers but also ensures the continuation of fishing traditions for future generations.Lanesboro City Administrator Mitchell Walbridge highlighted the inclusive nature of the project. “A big part of the project was expanding access for those that may have a disability, so there’s expanded handicap access for people to safely get closer to the water,” Walbridge said. This consideration for disabled anglers shows the city’s commitment to making fishing accessible to everyone.Walbridge also encouraged other towns and cities to take advantage of the DNR funding. “I would encourage other communities to take advantage of the ‘Get Outdoors More’ initiative,” Walbridge urged. “It really accelerated our city’s ability to tackle a project that we probably wouldn’t have been able to accomplish for a number of years.” The potential for similar projects in other communities is significant.Wagner mentioned that the Sylvan Ponds reconstruction is now only awaiting finishing touches. The ponds will be open for catch and release at the start of January and for harvest in April. This provides a clear timeline for anglers to look forward to.The DNR is currently working to make similar improvements for 20 shorelines across the state. This shows the agency’s commitment to enhancing fishing opportunities throughout Minnesota.Find stories like this and more, in our apps.Copyright 2024 KTTC. All rights reserved.
