Encompassing 119 acres, Minnecon Park is mostly located on Wellner’s Island, a flood plain area within the city limits, at the far east end of 5th Street North.

“Minnecon Park is named after the nearby Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers, which form a triangular piece of land where New Ulm is located. The name itself is likely a blend of the two rivers’ names,” said New Ulm Park & Recreation Director Joey Schugel.

“There’s been a good partnership between the City of New Ulm and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that resulted in the renovation of the park boat access several years ago.

“The access has been closed for much of the past month due to high river levels, but it’s good for shore fishing, launching a boat and great river views. It’s tucked away. People can enjoy a secluded setting. The long drive back to the park is different than any of our other parks. The pedestrian bridge that accesses a trail on the south side of something we’re looking at improving,” said Schugel.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnecon Park, 2 5th North Street, features a fire pit, covered picnic table, many trees, Minnesota River views and a public water access.

New Ulm fisherman and water conservation advocate Scott Sparlin said the eastern end of 5th Street North, the entrance road to the park, was formerly State Highway 15 and included a river bridge. The bridge approach later became a boat access.

The park was established in the early 1970s with lots of help from Dr. George “Doc” Germann, a New Ulm City Councilor and parks advocate; and Anton Joseph “Tony” Eckstein a District 17B and later 28B legislator, New Ulm mayor and city councilor.

The City of New Ulm secured federal funding to help develop Minnecon Park. It was platted and established in 1976 on a city council resolution offered by Germann.

Sparlin said the New Ulm Sport Fishermen club put in lots of time and money into wetlands created north and south of the Minnecon Park entrance road.

He said the river near the park is a good place to fish.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch A wooden bridge leads to a trail that leads south of Minnecon Park. No smoking is allowed in the park.

“It’s excellent fishing all the way to the cut, a sharp, river bend with a backwater, south of the park. There were 10-15 fish houses out there last winter. The river is quite high now. I suspect when the river goes back down, more fish will be in their usual, deep holes. I’ve caught lots of walleye, catfish and many other types of fish there,” said Sparlin.

The park offers a boat landing, a sheltered picnic table, fire pit and trails for walkers, hikers and runners leading south of the park.

Visitors often hear and watch birds in the park and may encounter squirrels, rabbits and deer.

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