The St. Croix river valley was inhabited by Dakota and Ojibwetribes. European trappers commercialized the fur-trade in the 17th century. Extensive logging took place in the mid-19th century; white pines were the target and most other tree species were ignored. Once the white pine was gone the lumber companies were happy to sell, and a lumber baron named William O'Brien bought up much of the land for his personal estate. In 1945, 20 years after William O'Brien's death, his daughter Alice offered 180 acres (0.73 km2) along the riverfront to the state. The donation was eagerly accepted, as Minnesota did not yet have a state park near the Twin Cities, and the park was ratified by the legislature two years later. The proximity to the metro area was a mixed blessing. Land was added to the park at every opportunity, to reduce crowding and to prevent housing developments from being built right up to the boundary. In 1958‚ S. David Greenberg donated Greenberg Island in memory of his parents. Accessible only by canoe‚ the island has become a haven for wildlife and wildflowers. The park was expanded into the bluffs west of Highway 95 and a second campground added. A large tract was added in 1973, leapfrogging a rail line, and another 120 acres (0.49 km2) came in 1986. William O'Brien remains one of the top five most-visited state parks in Minnesota.
RecreationEdit
Boating:
A concessionaire based inside the park rents canoes hourly and daily, and provides shuttle service back from take-out points.
2 group camps along the river provide tent camping opportunities for 35-50 people each.
Drive-in camping is available for both tents and RVs. There are two main camping areas, one near the river and one on top of the bluffs.
Several sites on top of the bluff are accessible via a short (max. 100 yards) walk from a parking area.
Small, rustic camper cabins in the campground on top of the bluff offer slightly more comfortable camping. Usually feature bunk beds and a screen-porch. They do not have running water or indoor bathrooms, though they are located within walking distance of campground bathrooms.
Fishing: Northern pike, walleye, bass, and trout can be caught from the St. Croix riverbank. There is a fishing pier near the outlet of Lake Alice.
Swimming: Sandy beach on Lake Alice. No swimming in river because of currents.
Trails: There are 12 miles (19 km) of hiking/cross-country skiing trails in the park, including trails that range from easy to difficult.
Meyer, Roy W. Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks. Minnesota Historical Society Press: St. Paul, 1991.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2006. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Web Site (online).
External linksEdit
William O'Brien State Park
October 24, 2023
william, brien, state, park, acre, state, park, minnesota, along, croix, river, hiking, trails, traverse, rolling, glacial, moraine, riparian, zones, restored, savanna, wooded, areas, bogs, popular, place, birdwatching, picnics, camping, cross, country, skiing. William O Brien State Park is a 1 520 acre 6 2 km2 state park of Minnesota USA along the St Croix River Its hiking trails traverse rolling glacial moraine riparian zones restored oak savanna wooded areas and bogs It is a popular place for birdwatching picnics camping cross country skiing canoeing fishing and other typical outdoor recreational activities William O Brien State ParkThe St Croix River at William O Brien State ParkLocation of William O Brien State Park in MinnesotaShow map of MinnesotaWilliam O Brien State Park the United States Show map of the United StatesLocationWashington Minnesota United StatesCoordinates45 13 9 N 92 45 57 W 45 21917 N 92 76583 W 45 21917 92 76583Area1 520 acres 6 2 km2 Elevation801 ft 244 m 1 Established1947Governing bodyMinnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe park is located approximately two miles north of the town of Marine on St Croix Minnesota Contents 1 Wildlife 2 History 3 Recreation 4 References 5 Sources 6 External linksWildlife EditThis park is home to raccoons white tailed deer foxes minks beavers and woodchucks Birdwatchers often spot various raptors woodpeckers bluebirds orioles herons and a variety of warblers History EditThe St Croix river valley was inhabited by Dakota and Ojibwe tribes European trappers commercialized the fur trade in the 17th century Extensive logging took place in the mid 19th century white pines were the target and most other tree species were ignored Once the white pine was gone the lumber companies were happy to sell and a lumber baron named William O Brien bought up much of the land for his personal estate In 1945 20 years after William O Brien s death his daughter Alice offered 180 acres 0 73 km2 along the riverfront to the state The donation was eagerly accepted as Minnesota did not yet have a state park near the Twin Cities and the park was ratified by the legislature two years later The proximity to the metro area was a mixed blessing Land was added to the park at every opportunity to reduce crowding and to prevent housing developments from being built right up to the boundary In 1958 S David Greenberg donated Greenberg Island in memory of his parents Accessible only by canoe the island has become a haven for wildlife and wildflowers The park was expanded into the bluffs west of Highway 95 and a second campground added A large tract was added in 1973 leapfrogging a rail line and another 120 acres 0 49 km2 came in 1986 William O Brien remains one of the top five most visited state parks in Minnesota Recreation EditBoating A concessionaire based inside the park rents canoes hourly and daily and provides shuttle service back from take out points Public boat ramp This section of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is officially a slow speed zone Jetskis are not permitted Camping 2 group camps along the river provide tent camping opportunities for 35 50 people each Drive in camping is available for both tents and RVs There are two main camping areas one near the river and one on top of the bluffs Several sites on top of the bluff are accessible via a short max 100 yards walk from a parking area Small rustic camper cabins in the campground on top of the bluff offer slightly more comfortable camping Usually feature bunk beds and a screen porch They do not have running water or indoor bathrooms though they are located within walking distance of campground bathrooms Fishing Northern pike walleye bass and trout can be caught from the St Croix riverbank There is a fishing pier near the outlet of Lake Alice Swimming Sandy beach on Lake Alice No swimming in river because of currents Trails There are 12 miles 19 km of hiking cross country skiing trails in the park including trails that range from easy to difficult References Edit William O Brien State Park Geographic Names Information System United States Geological Survey January 11 1980 Retrieved February 25 2011 Sources EditArthur Anne Minnesota s State Parks Adventure Publications Inc Cambridge MN 1998 Bewer Tim Moon Handbooks Minnesota Avalon Travel Publishing Emeryville CA 2004 Meyer Roy W Everyone s Country Estate A History of Minnesota s State Parks Minnesota Historical Society Press St Paul 1991 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 2006 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Web Site online External links EditWilliam O Brien State Park Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William O 27Brien State Park amp oldid 1168488586, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
