City of Lake Shore - Fritz Loven Park

This page will contain the history of Fritz Loven Park
as well as current facilities information.

1. Introduction (from Comprehensive Plan)

The City of Lake Shore is located on the north shore of Gull Lake and the western edge of the core of the Brainerd Lakes Region, a fast-growing region in Minnesota. Growth in this region is driven by a history as a tourist and vacation destination and a growing year-round population. The total population in Crow Wing and Cass Counties is projected to increase by over 60 percent

by the year 2030. The Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area (defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as including both Cass and Crow Wing Counties), was ranked as the fourth fastest growing micropolitan area in the Midwest, and ranked 28th in the nation. A micropolitan statistical area is a population cluster with at least 10,000 people that is located outside of metropolitan areas.

Capturing a segment of this projected growth, the City of Lake Shore is also projected to increase its population by over 60 percent by the year 2030, with an expected total population of more than 1,800 people. Absorbing this population growth in a manner that protects and preserves the characteristics and values important to the community requires forethought and planning.

History (from Comprehensive Plan)

The City of Lake Shore is located on the northwestern shore of Gull Lake in Cass County, Minnesota. Lake Shore was founded as a village in 1930; incorporated on March 19th, 1947; and adopted its first land use ordinance in 1969.

One of the areas earliest inhabitants in the area was a group called the Mound Builders who called this area home until about 1840, with some of their burial mounds found in Lake Shore. Other major tribes inhabited the region, including the Sioux, who were eventually driven west by the Ojibwa. Explorers and trappers made their way through the Lakes Region and early settlers engaged in farming and hunting.

In 1880, Charles A. Pillsbury formed the Gull River Lumber company and built a sawmill west of Brainerd. All timber, particularly the white pine, surrounding the lakes was soon cut and, in 1889, tracks were laid for an inland railroad to move logs to the lake for transportation. This narrow-gauge railroad extended some 12 miles northwest from the landing at Gilpatrick Lake (Margaret Lake). By 1894, the surrounding timber had been harvested and the tracks were removed, ending the brief railroad history and intensive logging in Lake Shore. The old railroad grade can still be seen in the western part of Lake Shore.

Early homesteaders along the lake quickly discovered that the area attracted others who wanted to enjoy the lakes and forests. Soon primitive log cabins were constructed to accommodate these first tourists and a new economic era began. The tourist business expanded and resorts of various size and function sprang up along the shores of Gull and Margaret Lakes, with Ozonite, Sandy

Beach, and Rocky Point said to be the earliest of these resorts. Many of the resorts were simple “mom and pop” operations with two or three cabins and a small store that provided tourists with necessities such as bread, milk, and eggs. Others were large and grand such as Sherwood Forest and Inwood Lodge.

At this time, gambling was legal and slot machines could be found at some of the resorts and at Bar Harbor, one of Minnesota’s most famous nightclubs. From the approximately 35 resorts existing in the 1930s and 1940s, the number has decreased to just six in 2006: Lykin’s Pine Hurst, Point Narrows, Lost Lake Lodge, Sandy Beach, Agate Lake, and Samara Point. Increasing demand for residential and tourist-oriented lakeshore property has made it profitable to convert resorts to privately owned dwellings and town homes.

Today, the demand for property on the Gull Lake chain has resulted in development of nearly all available shoreline. Lots once considered undesirable now have homes on them and existing structures are being replaced. The demand for second-tier and other off-lake property has also grown. Escalating prices are tempting rural owners to divide land into smaller parcels for residential development. The availability of goods and services in nearby communities along with the proximity to recreation make Lake Shore a desirable community in which to live and to retire. Road improvements and highway expansions, particularly to State Highway 371, have made it easy for metropolitan residents to commute to and from the area.

Park and Recreation Committee Mission Statement

The City of Lake Shore Parks and Recreation Committee will provide well maintained, safe and environmentally sensitive park facilities that will enhance our community and quality of life.

This plan has been drafted as a long-range plan for Lake Shore’s Park and Recreation facilities through 2017. The City’s Comprehensive Plan includes policies and strategies related to Parks and Recreation. These policies and strategies provide guidance to the Park and Recreation Committee, Planning Commission, City Council and staff. Of the strategies outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, 16[1] of them apply to Parks and Recreation. Those Strategies are outlined below as they appear in the Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2006.

General Park Development Strategies

Require a park dedication fee with all new subdivisions to upgrade existing recreational resources and expand recreational resources and to ensure that the park system grows with the population.

Develop a Parks and Recreation Plan for the future development of the City. Create and implement a Capital Improvement Plan that identifies possible expenditures related to Parks and Recreation.

Where appropriate, enhance existing lake accesses to accommodate passive, low impact uses by adding landscaping, signage, and park benches or picnic tables.

In the review of development proposals, encourage and look for potential recreational opportunities and trail connections.

Work with the Department of Natural Resources to manage wildlife populations to assure health, adequate food supplies, and to reduce the impact on native vegetation.

On a year-round basis, promote outdoor activities in the City, such as hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, cross country skiing, canoeing, snowmobiling, fishing and other related activities.

Retain all public lands adjacent to public waterways. Actively manage these lands to ensure their functionality and vitality and incorporate these lands into the City’s recreation system.

Establish more handicapped accessible fishing platforms, in cooperation with the DNR.

Work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to maintain the quality of fishing on lakes in the City.

Encourage the development and use of walking trails throughout the city and plan for trail connections with adjacent communities.

Establish a recreational trail system throughout the City including a trail along CSAH 77 and connecting with Fritz Loven Park.

Develop a Trail Plan that identifies existing trails within the City including walking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile trails along with identifying areas that could be linked with existing trails. (Create and implement a Trail Plan to guide the development of a Lake Shore trail system.)

Coordinate trail planning efforts to link adjacent communities such as Nisswa and Fairview Township to a trail system in Lake Shore. (Work cooperatively with adjacent communities to provide a regional network of trails.)

Acquire permanent easements for trail corridors through private lands when feasible.

Review and upgrade the existing road inventory to include plans that would identify and delineate right-of-way for future road and trail expansion.

Review and, where appropriate, incorporate trail construction when improving existing roads within the City.

B. Key Principles Guiding the Park and Recreation Committee

In addition to the policies and strategies outlined in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Park and Recreation Committee will focus on the following principles to guide their work. Each of these principles connects to the Mission Statement and has a measurable outcome.

1. The City of Lake Shore will have a Park and Recreation System that meets the needs of those it serves.

2. The City Lake Shore has vibrant natural spaces, embraces our lakes and streams, provides recreation equipment and safe access to parks and trails in the city.

C. Park and Recreation Committee Objectives

Provide adequate passive and active, park and recreation facilities for residents and visitors.

Develop an interconnected park and open space system, which correlates with natural features and provides safe walking and bicycle trail links throughout the city.

As rapid growth changes the City of Lake Shore and open space continues to disappear; and as more new residents in the City live “off the lake” the Park and Recreation Committee shall evaluate opportunities to:

Develop additional parks, park facilities and recreation programs that compliment rather than duplicate those available in Nisswa.

Seek to acquire lakefront property through purchase or donation that would be suitable for a public beach.

Cooperate with Cass County to make county-owned land and memorial forests within the city available for park and recreation uses.

The City of Lake Shore currently has one 80 acre park – Fritz Loven Park - which includes a playground, picnic shelters, a hiking/XC ski trail and Stoney Brook. The City also owns 17 Public Lake Accesses located on Lake Margaret, Gull and Upper Gull lakes which for the most part are undeveloped. The City is in the very early stages of planning for a pedestrian/bicycle trail along CR 77 in cooperation with Cass County.

The City of Lake Shore Park and Recreation Committee encourages citizens to offer comments and suggestions regarding this Long Range Plan. Please mail or email your comments to City Hall or attend a Park and Recreation Committee Meeting.

[1] The Comprehensive Plan repeats or restates some strategies. Those that are duplicative have been combined.