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Lindstrom Park Board, as a result of working with the Trust for Public Land, voted Monday night to recommend to the city council that Lindstrom should acquire about 1.5 miles of North Center Lake shoreland and the virtually untouched attached former Anderson farmstead, on the north end of Olinda Trail.  

Trust for Public Land will pay for all but $82,000 of the $1 million-valued parcel.

TPL representative Bob McGillivray said the organization has already reserved  Environmental Trust Fund monies and has the approvals needed to close on the purchase in, or around October.  

TPL is a non-profit that assists in negotiating conservation-minded acquisitions.  McGillivray added that the two Anderson sisters are thrilled to be able to preserve this early settlement farmstead for generations to come.  

McGillivray commented that he first walked the site 12 years ago, but the real estate market was inflated and acquisition at that time was well out of reach.  “There have been twists and turns,” he said of his contacts with the owners over the years, “but it seems the stars have now aligned and the owners have graciously agreed (to the price of $900,000.)”
The “Anderson Peninsula” would be the only public lakeshore on North Center Lake, said Park Board member Shari Bachman.  She and park board members John Renaker, Rusty Johnson and Pam Schultz presented the plan to neighboring property owners at a special Park Board meeting held outdoors.  

The peninsula uses would be low impact;  hiking, cross country skiing, etc. similar to the nearby Allemansratt City Park.  The park board envisions a few mowed trails,  a “boat in” beach and picnic area, and launching canoes and kayaks, but no public boat ramp or marina is planned.  There’s motorboat launching at the state’s DNR North Center Lake access, now,  next to the Chisago Lakes middle school.
 
The Anderson parcel is 33 acres and would be capable of supporting at least 20 home lots or if rezoned, 30 townhouses.  

A couple citizens asked about “lost” potential city property tax revenue.  

Bachman said the city would be required to extend services into the site, would have to upgrade the Olinda Trail segment (still gravel) and address maintenance needs from increased vehicle travel on small city streets leading into a developed site as well.  Any housing would bring hundreds of vehicle trips up through Cedar Ridge and surrounding neighborhoods daily.  

Any “lost” property taxes are more than compensated for, she stated,  in preserving this lakeshore,  while avoiding city-borne development costs.  Plus, Lindstrom needs equipment storage and there’s a pole building on the Anderson site the city would utilize.

Residents attending the meeting were also assured the easement that currently allows Cedar Ridge property deed holders an access point from Olinda, onto North Center, will be maintained in sale agreements. The Lindstrom city council meets August 21 and the acquisition will be on the agenda.

Financing of the city’s approximately $90,000 (including 10 percent estimated for closing costs)--  can be pulled from several funds Lindstrom would “re-direct” or that has set-aside specifically for parks projects.  

There will be no direct resident financing to make this purchase happen.  

The Environmental Trust Fund is built through state lottery sales.  There is a legislative commission appointed to review funding applications and makes recommendations for financing to the state. Trust for Public Land also relies on donations as a non-profit and TPL can be reached through its website or call 651-917-2240 to contact the St. Paul offices.  
TPL has also been instrumental in acquiring Ojiketa Regional Park on Big Green Lake, the Rush Lake Scientific and Wildlife Management Area site, Franconia Scientific and Natural Area and a wildlife management area, located outside of Forest Lake in Columbus.  It is also active throughout the United States.


 

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