The family’s request to adopt the park came before the New Ulm Parks and Recreation Commission Monday and was approved by commissioners.

The Adopt-A-Park program has been part of New Ulm Park and Recreation for over a decade. The purpose of the program is to organize volunteer efforts to clean, beautify, develop and build pride in the city’s park and trail system.

Park and Recreation Director Joey Schugel said the program is open to anyone including businesses, groups, religious organizations, schools, service organizations, individuals and families. Entities adopting a park must perform a minimum of 25 hours service or donate $250 to the city for the adopted park or trail.

Schugel said it is typically service organizations adopting parks. Adams Park is one of the rare parks to be adopted by a family. Adams Park is also one of the larger parks to be adopted. The entire park is 15.9 acres is size and is located near the Cottonwood River. The park features hiking and mountain bike trails in addition to a canoe landing

Adams Park located at 620 Cottonwood Street. The 15.9 acres undeveloped park was recently adopted by the Knisley family through New Ulm’s Adopt-A-Park program. Photo by Clay Schuldt

Schugel said one of the reasons Adams Park is undeveloped is because its in a floodplain. At least once a year, the Cottonwood will flood the park.

“It is a tough area to put developmental dollars into that because of the volatility of the Cottonwood River there,” Schugel said. “With that, there is great passion for that area. We’ve a had a lot of volunteers over the years help create the trails segment.”

In the past, volunteers have helped clear dead fall in the park after floods. The more avid mountain bikers created jumps and topography to the trail, which the parks department has approved over the years. However, the Knisley family is the first to formerly adopt Adams Park.

In order to adopt a park, an applicant must fill out an official form that includes information on planned activities and improvements to the park. For the Adams Park adoption form, John Knisley, representing the Knisley Family, said the family plans to pickup garbage and litter found in the park; clear up trail debris, remove fishing line, place simple log benches, place wood duck and owl houses and make improvements to the canoe landing if allowed by the city.

The Knisley family lives in rural Madelia, but John Knisley is an employee of New Ulm. He works in the Community Development Department as a City Planner.

An overhead view of Adams Park. The redline marks the hiking and mountain bike trail through the park. The park was formerly adopted through Adopt-A-Park program offered through New Ulm Park and Rec. Photo provided by City of New Ulm

“My family and I use this park a lot,” Knisley said, “Whether it is playing on the sandbar looking at rocks or taking out our canoe, we’re probably in it more than any other city park.”

Knisley felt Adams Park was a great natural area and could be further improved for people visiting. Some of the improvements planned would be low cost. The log benches could be cut out of trees that have already fallen.

“If they wash away during a flood, we can just make a new one,” he said.

The application requires a $100 fee that covers the cost of a sign recognizing the adoption of the park.

Parks commissioners were in full support of the park adoption.

Park and Recreation director Joey Schugel discussed the request from the Knisley family to adopt Adams Park during Monday’s New Ulm Park and Recreation meeting. John Knisley (right) representing the Knisley family attended the meeting to answer any question from the commissioners. John Knisley also works as a City Planner for New Ulm. Photo by Clay Schuldt

“I think it is pretty cool,” Commissioner Jim Jensen said. “It is another sign of the passion people have for our parks in New Ulm, that you are willing to put in this time. I think this is great for you and your family, I admire what you are doing.”

Jensen made the motion to approve the request with a second from Commissioner David Christian.

Schugel said anyone interested in adopting a park could find the form on the city’s website or contact the parks department directly.

He said the adopt-a-park program also applies to trail segments. He said there are segments of the city bike trail that have been adopted, but there are other segments still available.

Adams Park is an undeveloped park near the Cottonwood River that is known for its hiking trails. In the photo the trail system is marked with pink ribbons. The park was formerly adopted by the Knisley Family following the Park and Rec. Commissions approval. The Knisley family had pledged to provide upkeep to the park, including litter cleanup and debris removal from the trail. Photo by Clay Schuldt