Adopt Resolution #25-253 Accepting a Fishing Pier from the Minnesota DNR for The Waterfront

For the past couple of years, the Park & Recreation and staff have been working on concepts to expand recreational opportunities in the community and in particular, at The Waterfront—this includes working with staff's counterparts at the Minnesota DNR to develop a sustaining fishery at the park.   Related to this, this Summer the city received a $46k grant from the DNR for natural resource enhancements for plantings next Spring around the shore of the 7.4 acre deep-water pond.  And on Friday, October 10th, 2,178 Yellow Perch were released into the pond to provide the forage basis for game fish that will be introduced in 2026.

Additionally, staff has developed a plan with the MN DNR to receive a sizable fishing pier for The Waterfront also for this coming year. To formalize the plan, requires entering into a Cooperative Agreement to receive the fishing pier (valued at more than $50k)—this would include developing an ADA compliant path down the bank of the pond to access the pier, and to create several stone shore fishing nodes around the pond. 

Developing fishing in Ramsey's downtown provides another popular recreational activity for the community, and one that includes a broad array of residents and fun intergenerational opportunities too. For the meeting, staff will highlight some of the other surface water recreation the community may realize in the near future.  The following is a simple budget and work plan for the development of shore fishing at The Waterfront.
 

2025-26 shore fishing development at The Waterfront

Ammenity/Activity	Source	Value/Investment
Slope and shore vegetation and management	MN DNR	$46k
Fishing Pier	MN DNR	$50k
ADA path to pier and rock shore fishing nodes	City	$15k
Fish Stocking	MN DNR	>$10k
First phase value (approx.)		$121,000

City funding for the shore fishing access this case discusses, would be from the Park Trust Fund.

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #25-253, which approves the Cooperative Agreement for the fishing pier from the Minnesota DNR and appropriates $15,000 from the Park Trust Fund to develop the shore fishing access.

Motion to Adopt Resolution #25-253 Accepting a Fishing Pier from the Minnesota DNR for The Waterfront