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It will be a couple months yet before the deal is officially closed; but last week Lindstrom became the owner of a 33-acre entire peninsula on North Center Lake, which will remain undeveloped and used as public parkland.

The city council voted 5-0 Aug. 21 to approve acquisition of the Anderson family farmstead off North Olinda Trail, cooperatively with Trust For Public Land.  
City costs for the approximately $1.1 million-valued parcel will be about $90,000.  The family members have agreed to a $900,000 sale price and Trust For Public Land makes up the gap.

TPL is a non-profit organization that works all across the U.S. to preserve unique sites by leveraging public funds and private donations,  and providing expertise on issues having to do with conservation.  Much of the purchase of this site is being made possible by the Minnesota Environmental Trust Fund, a lottery supported program.

The council saw several letters of support behind buying the parkland from the Chisago Lakes Chamber, the Lakes Improvement District, Boy Scout officials, Rotary, Chisago Lakes Community Foundation (which has also donated $1,000), and from a few area residents.
Lindstrom Park Board spokesperson Shari Bachman told the council after the motion passed,  “I know it’s not P.C. but I love you guys.”



The park board will oversee the site basically as a wild area. There are cow trails now that will be cleaned-up for hiking and minor tasks will improve the the beach area for boaters who canoe or kayak up and want to stop.  

This site is directly east of Allemansratt Park, a gravel road separates the two.  It will be regulated like its sister parcel-- no motorized vehicles, low impact use and will benefit from activities of the Friends of Allemansratt, Bachman explained.  Watch the paper for details about when the Friends meetings are scheduled.

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