Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

OutdoorMN News - Celebrations planned to mark 100 years at Sibley State Park


Rick

Recommended Posts

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Creators

Popular destination in Kandiyohi County was designated on April 23, 1919

Celebration events are planned throughout the summer to honor 100 years of Sibley State Park, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The park, in west-central Minnesota, is named for the state’s first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley, and was funded by the state Legislature and designated as a state park on April 23, 1919.  

-6-300x219.“Sibley State Park is a special place for many people,” said park naturalist Kelsey Olson. “All are welcome to help us celebrate throughout this year.”

The celebrations, starting with the April 23 anniversary, will feature historical hikes, canoe paddles, live music and many more events. The family-friendly parties will also provide historical context for park visitors. Guests can also participate in the 1+9 1919 Celebration Punch Card Club, where participants can earn an invitation to a private centennial party if they attend ten programs this year.

“Whether it’s the lakes, the prairie, or the breathtaking views from Mt. Tom, people really treasure this place,” said Sibley State Park manager Jack Nelson. “We know there are family traditions rooted in this park, so it’s important that there are activities for all ages to enjoy.”

The park was originally established as a game refuge in 1917. But due to its popularity and need for protection, it became a state park two years later. In 1935, the federal government sent the Veterans Conservation Corps, which consisted of World War I veterans, to build roads, trails and camp facilities. Many of those structures, including the log-and-stone buildings, still stand today and give the park its distinct look.

The park has seen many changes throughout the years. Originally high prairie, VCC workers created important park features such as the beach on Lake Andrew and the stone structure atop of Mt. Tom. Improvements continue, with Conservation Corps working with park management to restore the viewshed from Mt. Tom. The Sibley State Park Improvement Association, has acquired 200 acres to add to the park with the help of the Parks and Trails Council. These partners are also funding the planting of native plants and trees around the cabin area.

Renovations to the Lake Andrew beach area are ongoing, and community volunteers will work with the Sibley State Park Improvement Association Friday and Saturday (April 26 and 27) to plant native trees around the cabin area. A spur running from the park to the Glacial Lakes State Trail in New London is also in the works.

The 3,400-acre park remains a popular destination, with more than 40,000 overnight stays and 300,000 visitors each year.

Celebration events will be held several times each month through summer, beginning with a guided hike and Sibley State Park’s Centennial Social on April 23. A day-long celebration scheduled for June 8 will feature Voyageur canoe rides, an old-time softball game and live music with Siama Matuzundidi.

A full calendar of events is available on the park’s webpage dedicated to its 100 year celebration. More information about Sibley State Park can be found at mndnr.gov/sibley.

Discuss below - to view set the hook here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Brianf.
      I'm not there, so I can't tell exactly what's going on but it looks like a large area of open water developed in the last day with all of the heavy snow on the east side of wake em up Narrows. These two photos are from my Ring Camera facing north towards Niles Point.  You can see what happened with all of snow that fell in the last three days, though the open water could have been wind driven. Hard to say. .  
    • SkunkedAgain
      Black Bay had great ice before but a few spots near rockpiles where there were spots of open water. It looks like the weight of the snow has created a little lake in the middle of the bay.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Thanks to some cold spring weather, ice fishing continues strong for those still ice fishing.  The bite remains very good.  Most resorts have pulled their fish houses off for the year, however, some still have fish houses out and others are allowing ATV and side by sides.  Check social media or call ahead to your favorite resort for specifics. Reports this week for walleyes and saugers remain excellent.   A nice mix of jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, and an occasional crappie, tullibee or sturgeon being reported by anglers. Jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second line is the way to go.  Green, glow red, pink and gold were good colors this week.     Monster pike are on a tear!  Good number of pike, some reaching over 45 inches long, being caught using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring in 8 - 14' of water.   As always, work through a resort or outfitter for ice road conditions.  Safety first always. Fish houses are allowed on the ice through March 31st, the walleye / sauger season goes through April 14th and the pike season never ends. On the Rainy River...  The river is opened up along the Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale, the Frontier boat ramp and Vidas boat ramp.  This past week, much of the open water skimmed over with the single digit overnight temps.   Areas of the river have popped open again and with temps getting warmer, things are shaping up for the last stretch through the rest of the spring season, which continues through April 14th.   Very good numbers of walleyes are in the river.  Reports this week, even with fewer anglers, have been good.  When temps warm up and the sun shines, things will fire up again.   Jigs with brightly colored plastics or jigs with a frozen emerald shiner have been the desired bait on the river.  Don't overlook slow trolling crankbaits upstream as well.   Good reports of sturgeon being caught on the river as well.  Sturgeon put the feed bag on in the spring.  The bite has been very good.  Most are using a sturgeon rig with a circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers / frozen emerald shiners. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing is winding down up at the Angle.  Walleyes, saugers, and a number of various species in the mix again this week.  The bite is still very good with good numbers of fish.  The one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is working well.   Check with Angle resorts on transport options from Young's Bay.  Call ahead for ice road guidelines.  
    • CigarGuy
      With the drifting, kind of hard to tell for sure, but I'm guessing about a foot and still lightly snowing. Cook end!
    • PSU
      How much snow did you get on Vermilion? 
    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
    • Hookmaster
      A friend who has a cabin between Alex and Fergus said the lake he's on refroze. He texted me a pic from March 12th when it was open and one from 23rd when it wasn't. 🤯
    • SkunkedAgain
      I don't think that there has been any ice melt in the past few weeks on Vermilion. Things looked like a record and then Mother Nature swept in again.   I'll give my revised guess of April 21st
    • leech~~
      As I get older it's really not just about sending bullets down range.  Some of it's just the workmanship of the gun and the wow factor. The other two guns I have really wanted which I'll never have now because of their price, is a 8mm Jap Nambu and 9mm German Luger.   Just thought they always looked cool!  
    • jim curlee
      I had a guy hit me with a lightly used 1969 BAR, he wanted $1650 with an older Leupold scope. More than I think they are worth, I made an offer, he declined end of story.   You know if you look at the old brochures, a grade II BAR sold for $250 in the late 60s, $1650 would be a good return on your investment.    Why would anybody want a 50 year old gun, they are heavy, have wood stocks, and blued metal.  I guess mainly to keep their gun safes glued to the floor. lol   You can probably buy a stainless rifle that you never have to clean, with a synthetic stock you never have to refinish, is as light as a feather, and for half as much money, perfect.   I'm too old for a youth gun, although I've shrunk enough that it would probably fit. lol   No Ruger 10/44s.   Jim      
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.