Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park
Volunteers with a vision
Friends groups play an important role in planning, developing, maintaining and advocating for Minnesota's parks and trails. Meet the Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park, a group that recently developed a strategic plan to help improve their park's amenities and services.
Q: What's new with the Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park?
The Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park recently revised our bylaws and adopted a four-year strategic plan that outlines several strategies to help improve the park's amenities and services in a way that encourages the community to use the park year-round while minimizing the negative impacts of that use. The strategic plan calls on members and other volunteers to help implement several proposed projects including: funding and building a playground for children near the park's campground, restoring the park's bog corridor along County Road 19, strengthening a fishing program for kids and working on landscaping and reforesting specific portions of the park to increase its visitor appeal. As part of our effort to build the park's first playground, we have launched a private fund drive. Crucial to the success of the fund drive will be our new status as a self-sufficient 501(c)(3) organization. The Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park was founded in 1993.
Q: Tell us about Lake Bemidji State Park
Lake Bemidji State Park is a dual-purpose park that serves the camping public and Bemidji-area residents on a day-use basis.
Q: What special events do you have at the park?
On the third Wednesday in June, the Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park invite seniors for a picnic afternoon, including a fish fry lunch and a horse-drawn wagon ride to the bog. At the bog we assist seniors along the bog walk where they can enjoy orchids and other spring blooms.
Q: Is there anything else you want people to know about the Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park?
We have helped the park obtain grants for a beaver display in the visitor center, for a pontoon and motor used by the park naturalist on Lake Bemidji and for the design and placement of the park's amphitheater. We will soon be circulating a new full-color brochure with new membership opportunities. The brochure is a key piece in a membership drive intended to help people strengthen their connection to the park they use. We know many people walk and ski the trails, attend naturalist programs, launch their boats, fish, swim and picnic at the park. They are already friends of the park. We invite them to become official Friends of Lake Bemidji State Park. If you would like to become a member, please call 218-755-3843.