The $11,000 donation will be divided between three parks, with $5,000 going to the Trap & Skeet Shooting Range building replacement; $5,000 to the Riverside Park Environmental Learning Center and $1,000 to the Pollinator Park.

New Ulm’s Trap & Skeet Shooting range is located adjacent to the New Ulm Battery on the north end of town. Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz said the range has seen increased use over the last few years. Sioux Valley Gun Club is the primary user of the range and building but recently the range has seen increased use from school trap shooting teams. All three schools, New Ulm High School, Cathedral and Minnesota Valley Lutheran have target shooting teams that use the facilities.

The old trap range building is in need of replacement. Schmitz said realistically it will be 2024 at the earliest before a new building is constructed. The new building is still in the design phase and additional fundraising is needed before construction starts.

The Riverside Park Environmental Learning Center located in the former Franklin School House will use the $5,000 for programming as well as some interior renovations of the property. Schmitz said some of the funds will also be used for utilities and interpretive panels.

The Pollinator Park on N. Broadway, above, received $1,000 from the Izaak Walton League, while the Riverside Park Environmental Learning Center located in the former Franklin School House, shown below, will use the $5,000 from the Izaak Walton League.

The remaining $1,000 for the Pollinator Park located on N. Broadway will cover programming, vegetation, supplies and signage at the nature park.

The Izaak Walton Lea

gue is a frequent contributor to New Ulm Park and Recreation programming, thanks to funding from an active charitable gambling operation.