Swimming pond at Buffalo River State Park/KVRR
GLYNDON, Minn. (KFGO) – A 20-year strategic plan for Buffalo River State Park in Clay County is revealing what the future could hold for park visitors.
The Buffalo River State Park Management Plan is used to guide the management of park resources and development of facilities and programs for public use.
A draft plan released in November includes recommendations for the state park. When it comes to recreational use and visitor services, park officials plan to convert the former swimming pond into a nature play area.
Other suggestions include adding more campsites to the campground and consider new camping opportunities, such as cabins.
The draft plan also calls for improvements to water access for fishing and paddling, and exploring a connection of the Heartland State Trail extension to the park.
Park officials would like to create new self-guided interpretive trails and experiences at Buffalo River State Park and add an outdoor amphitheater to the picnic area.
Management plans for state parks and state recreation areas are developed in an open planning process that includes public involvement. The Minnesota DNR utilizes public meetings, online surveys and park visitor surveys to gather input.
The DNR will host an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) Regional Science Center to answer questions and collect comments on the draft plan.
The public can also provide comments by:
- Email: gratia.joice@state.mn.us
- Mail: Minnesota DNR, Gratia Joice, Parks and Trails Division, 500 Lafatette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
The public review period will close on December 17.
Recommendations in the management plan will be implemented over time, and are subject to the availability of adequate capital development and operational funding.
Buffalo River State Park is located 14 miles east of the Fargo-Moorhead metro area in Clay County. The park has 1,355 acres within its statutory boundary. The landscape contains more than 250 species of wildflowers and grasses, including some plants now rare in Minnesota.
You can learn more about Buffalo River State Park and read the management plan draft here.
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