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State Park passes at library

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has expanded its library park pass program to include New Ulm Public LIbrary. The New Ulm library has three passes available for checkout. The passes are available on a first-come first serve basis. Place the pass in a vehicle dashboard, and users can have free access to any state park in Minnesota for seven days. This program began in 2018, but has only been available through New Ulm’s library since July 1. It is a great benefit for local library patrons; especially since Flandrau State Park is within city limits. This is a great program idea to help reduce the barriers for more residents to explore and use the state park system.

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Toxic blue algae returns to SE Lake

Blue-green algae blooms are back. The Sleepy Eye Lake beach was closed Wednesday due to toxic blue green algae. The recommendation to close the beach came from Brown County Public Health. The blue green algae poses a health risk to humans and animals. The blue green algae blooms are not technical algae, but a bacteria type called cyanobacteria that can produce toxins, resulting in illness if ingested or inhaled.

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Bike path receives a small extension

Last week, paving began on a new segment of New Ulm’s bicycle and pedestrian path behind the former Target building. This new paved segment is only a dozen yards, but helps delineate the location of the bike path. The New Ulm bike and pedestrian path is a 12-mile loop around the city, but only half is paved as a dedicated path. Several sections of the trail are not marked at all, including the former Target path. Every little expansion to the trail helps promote the trail.