Parks and Recreation: Big Lake Township, Minnesota USA

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Lions Park • Sand Dunes State Forest • Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Lions Park
in Big Lake Township
36 acres built up to accommodate the entire community. Community building reserved on an “as requested” basis for non-profit groups. Bonfire ring outdoors, playground area, picnic tables, barbecue grills.

Lions Park - Rules For Usage:
See Ordinance 2005-03 Establishing Park Rules for Complete Usage Rules

Park Hours 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily
Located 2.6 miles North of Hwy. 10 on Eagle Lake Road (Co. Rd. 5).
Facilities are on a “First Come First Service” basis

• No Vandalism
• No Littering
• No Dumping of Garbage
• No Loitering
• No Alcoholic Beverages
• No Glass Containers
• No Hunting
• No Discharge of Firearms
• No recreational motorized
vehicles allowed in park area

• Pets Must Be Leashed
and Controlled At All Times
• All Animals Feces Must Be
Collected and Disposed
• All Children UNDER 12 Years
of Age Must Be Supervised
By An Adult
• Any Unlawful Actions Will
Be Prosecuted

Call the Town Hall to book a rental of the town hall building:
Rate: $200 to reserve entire building: Hall/Kitchen/Indoor Restrooms

Garage area and park/pavilions/ballfields are open to the general public for use
and can not be reserved.

For more information, call the Town Hall at 263-8111.

Sand Dunes State Forest

Sand Dunes State Forest is located in central Sherburne County, five miles north of Big Lake. The forest can be reached by taking County Road 5 north from Big Lake, off of U.S. Hwy. 10.
The Sand Dunes State Forest is located within the bounds of Orrock Township. It was named after the first settler in the area, Robert Orrock, who arrived in 1857. When these first settlers came, the land was virgin prairie. Most of these pioneers were farmers, thus most of this prairie was turned by their breaking plows.
Even though the sandy soils were not conducive to high yields, farming continued as a major source of income for many families until the late 1920s and early 1930s. The effects of the “Great Depression” of the 30s, and the “Dust Bowl” drought of 1933-1934, brought an end to most farming in the area. The light, worn out soils “took to the air and drifted like snow” over roads and on to front porches.
Concerned citizens who wanted to stabilize the drifting sand began experimental tree planting in 1941. In 1943, Ray Clement introduced a bill to the state legislature proposing that sections be set aside for conservation. The forest was enlarged from the original two square miles in 1945. In 1951, it was again expanded to its present size of 10,698 acres. 51% is state-owned and the remainder is owned by the U.S. Department of the Interior and private parties.
To date, over 2,400 acres of tree plantations have been established in the Sand Dunes State Forest. The majority of these are pine. The oldest were planted in the early 1940s.
Outdoor recreation facilities in the Sand Dunes State Forest include more than 18 miles of trails, maintained and groomed for snowmobiling and available for horseback riding.

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1965, comprises more than 30,600 acres of wetlands, prairie openings and oak savanna and is home to an astounding array of native animals. Bald eagles, sandhill cranes, hawks, ducks and geese all might be seen by the careful observer. The Refuge provides a variety of opportunities for experiencing nature including hiking and cross-country ski trails, a wildlife drive, fishing and hunting (state regulations apply), Migratory Bird Day in May, and the Wildlife Festival in October.
The Refuge is open seven days a week during daylight hours free of charge. Visitor information leaflets, which include a map of the Refuge, may be picked up at information kiosks at Refuge entry points. The Refuge office is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For more information, call 763-389-3323. You can visit the Refuge web site at: www.midwest.fws.gov/sherburne.

Wildlife Drive: Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive is located 1.2 miles north of Orrock on Sherburne County Road 5. The Drive is open during daylight hours from late April throughout October. This 7.3 mile auto tour features three wildlife observation decks and three short hiking trails. The trail nearest the entrance to the Drive is accessible to people with a disability. The careful observer might view eagles, loons, egrets, sandhill cranes or trumpeter swans and listen to the enchanting symphony of sounds.
Hiking Trails: The Refuge offers two scenic hiking trails, the Mahnomen and Blue Hill, both located on County Road 9. The trails are for foot travel only. Bicycles and horses are not permitted. Pets must be leashed.
Open Hiking: All Refuge lands are open to hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing from Sept. 1 - Feb. 28.
Cross Country Skiing: Two ungroomed trails are available in the Refuge for cross-country skiing. The Blue Hill Trail has three moderate-grade loops and is open to cross-country skiing. The Mahnomen Trail features three easy loops and is open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. Hikers and snowshoers are asked to be respectful of tracks set by skiers and hike to the side of the trail.
Fishing: All fishing, including ice fishing, is confined to the St. Francis River. Access points are located where the St. Francis River crosses county roads. State regulations apply.
Canoeing: Canoeing is permitted only on Battle Brook south of Little Elk Lake and on the St. Francis River south of Battle Brook. Use is limited to daylight hours. Overnight camping/campfires are not permitted.
Bicycling: Bicycling is permitted on the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive and public roads crossing the Refuge. Hiking trails are closed to bicycling and no off-road travel is permitted. Refuge service roads are open to bicycling Sept. 1 - Feb. 28.
Berry Picking: The Refuge is open to mushroom and berry picking for personal consumption only within 100 feet of trails or public right of ways. Please be respectful of the needs of wildlife by never picking an area clean or destroying the plants.
Hunting: Small game, waterfowl, and big game hunting opportunities are available in the Refuge. For current regulations and a map showing open areas, consult the Refuge hunting leaflet. Blinds for hunters with disabilities are available by reservation during waterfowl and firearms deer season.
Wildlife Sanctuary: The majority of the Refuge is a designated wildlife sanctuary and closed to all public access from Mar. 1 - Aug. 31 to allow wildlife to breed and raise their young free from human disturbance. During this time, the only areas available for public use are the Wildlife Drive (after eagles hatch in April), the hiking trails, the St. Francis River canoe route and fishing access points.