Sherburne County residents will nearly double their park space with the addition of Big Elk Lake Park. These 430-acres are located just 20 minutes from St. Cloud and offer many benefits to local communities. The lush grass and shoreline host significant biodiversity. And literary enthusiasts will note that author Sinclair Lewis used two vacation cottages on this property, which have potential eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

But beyond being an important outdoor space, the land also holds meaning to both Dakota and Ojibwe peoples. That’s why TPL and Sherburne County are working with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers from the Upper Sioux Community, the Lower Sioux Indian Community, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to program and offer interpretation on the site’s historical and contemporary significance to Minnesota’s Indigenous peoples. By protecting this sacred land, these communities can access their ancestral past.

In partnership with Sherburne County, we’ve helped protect this important landscape forever. Once open, Big Elk Lake Park will help preserve these significant Indigenous sites, expand outdoor access, and protect natural resources for more people to enjoy Minnesota’s beauty.

Funding was provided by the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Scenic Area Grant Program.