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In discussion about an item on the Lindstrom City Council agenda last week, Lindstrom Mayor Kevin Stenson stated, “I didn’t think Allemansratt Park could get much better, but you are proving me wrong.”  

Stenson was referring to a gift from Mary and Henry Holec enlarging the park’s footprint. The Holecs donated an island just off the shoreline of the natural park lying on the west side of North Center Lake.

The island is dubbed Minnesö,  Swedish for “remembrance.”

The Holecs explained the undeveloped chunk of land is known as a stopover for ice fishing enthusiasts, a tie-up spot for boaters of all kinds and as habitat and protection for bird, waterfowl and aquatic mammals.  It’s been a place for exploration and to reboot your imagination over the years, Henry commented.  He and wife Mary were participating in the council meeting on the internet.  He said they decided “...it belongs to the community” and offered the property to the park board first, which determined that keeping it for day use, eradicating some invasives, and spending some time researching future possibilities is the best way to proceed.  The parks board recommended accepting the island as part of the city system.
Mary Holec added that gifting the island to the city seemed the perfect thing to do,  after the enjoyment the couple has found in walking the Allemansratt Park terrain.

Minneso is valued by the county assessor at $149,700, but this includes an access parcel to get onto the lake from the township, which the Holecs are hanging onto.  

Mayor Stenson spoke for the city at the council meeting, declaring this is a generous thing, and “We are honored and grateful you thought of turning it over to the city.”

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