PRSR HANDOUTS 05-13-2015 Houlton Farm Property Hunting Plan
Background
The Houlton Farm property was acquired by the Trust for Public Lands with funds from the
Outdoor Heritage Fund and then donated to the City for the express purpose of being managed
for high quality native habitat for wildlife. The property is currently closed to the public and will
remain so until the anticipated opening in the fall of 2016. Once opened, it will be open to the
public year round for passive, non-motorized recreational uses such as hiking, snowshoeing,
cross country skiing, bird watching, fishing, and hunting. Hunting opportunities will follow MN
DNR seasons and be additionally regulated in adherence with a hunting plan approved by the
DNR specifically tailored to this unique property.
Since the property was acquired, the details of the hunting plan have drawn the most interest
from the public, City staff, the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Council. The
primary concern relates to the safety of the surrounding neighbors and the non-hunting recreating
public using the property.
In response to these concerns,the city has embarked on a systematic and cautious planning
process in the development of the hunting plan. This process started with a public open house on
September 24th, 2014, where interested neighbors were able to share their concerns. On
February 5th, 2015, MN DNR Area Wildlife Manager Tim Marion, local MN DNR conservation
officer Mitch Sladek, and Bob McGillivray with the Trust For Public Lands toured the property.
Later that same day,they met with Stewart Wilson and Dave Anderson of the Houlton Farm
Property planning committee, and Michael Hecker to begin discussion of a hunting plan. On
February 19th,Tim, Mitch, and Bob met with MN DNR Area Wildlife Manager Fred Bengtson
and Deputy MN DNR Commissioner David Schad. The outcome of this meeting was the
proposed framework of a hunting plan for the Houlton Farm Property that would fulfill the
requirements associated with the funding,while being sensitive to community concerns for
safety. See Attachment 1.
On March 30th, Tim and Fred presented the framework for the hunting plan to the Houlton Farm
Property planning committee. The planning committee met again on April 13th to discuss the
hunting plan in detail and to refine the MN DNR framework into a recommendation to the City
Council. That recommendation is included as Attachment 2.
Once this Hunting Plan is approved, it will be sent back to the MN DNR for their final approval.
Following that there are many specific details that will need to be worked out in the coming year.
Once implemented, it is expected that the plan will undergo periodic review and modification if
circumstances at the time require it. The DNR hopes that the Houlton Farm Property will
become a model for future hunting opportunities in areas adjacent to residential areas in other
parts of the state.
Attachment 2
Houlton Farm Property Hunting Plan
1. All hunting will follow the current year MN DNR Hunting Regulations,with the
following additional restrictions.
2. Archery hunting of small game,waterfowl,turkey and deer throughout the property
will be allowed. Firearms are prohibited throughout the property for the hunting of small
game,turkey and deer, except during special hunts discussed in #4 below.
This follows the DNR recommendation without change. We were very pleased to see that their recommendation
excluded the firearms for the hunting of small game, turkeys and deer throughout the property. This will provide for
both a unique and safe hunting opportunity. It is expected that there will be only limited hunting of small game and
waterfowl with bow and arrow.
3. Migratory waterfowl shotgun hunting will be allowed along the Mississippi River in the
area highlighted on the attached map.
This also follows the DNR recommendation with a slight modification to the designated hunting area. The Houlton
Farm Property planning committee recommends that the designated waterfowl hunting area along the Mississippi
River be shortened by 500 feet on both the east and west ends to move the hunting a safe distance from adjacent
neighbors and public uses. Also, to clarify the DNR map, Houlton Farm Property Islands will be included in this
area.
4. Allow for the possibility of mentored youth and handicap shotgun hunts for turkeys and
deer.
This follows the DNR recommendation and in an important component of the unique hunting opportunities allowed
on this property. These hunts are already held at various locations throughout the state and are managed by
experienced volunteer organization such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Capable Partners. The
details of these hunts will be worked out well in advance of the hunts. Each hunt will require city approval and the
number of these hunts per year will be limited to a yet to be determined number.
5. Trapping is closed on the entire property. Nuisance animals may be trapped by permit
only.
This follows the DNR recommendation.
6. Small game,turkey, deer and waterfowl hunting will be on a first come basis and will be
limited by parking space availability. The city will build a parking lot capable of holding
only 12 cars and after the lot is full, hunters will have to wait for available parking space
prior to entering the property.
This follows the DNR recommendation. In addition, the committee recommends that the parking lot be next to Main
Street for maximum visibility. This plan also reserves the maximum amount of space for habitat and is similar to
parking lots on MN DNR Wildlife Management Areas and the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
7. No internal boat access. Accordingly, there will not be a road leading from the parking
lot down to the river for motor vehicles to bring watercraft to the river. Access from the
site for watercraft will be carry in only.
While this is not a hunting issue, the DNR included the boat access on their list because it was a part of our original
concept for the property. In out meeting with them, they did point out several potential issues with control of an
internal access. In separate action, the committee also discussed and recommended no internal boat access for
similar reason.
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• Property Naming Contest Name Entries:
Two Rivers Nature Preserve
William H. Houlton Conservation Area
Elk River Woods and Water Nature Area
River's Edge Conservation Area
William H. Houlton Nature Preserve
Elk River Woods Nature Area
Riverview Refuge
Elk Sanctuary
Houlton Heritage Enclave
Walter's Fields
Riverside Destiny
Houlton Meadow Recreation Area
Houlton Meadow Nature Preserve
THE HISTORIC SAM HOULTON RED BARN RESERVE
River Refuge &Recreation Area
Freedom Valley
Walter's Fields
Down town nature trail
Elk River Homestead
Two Rivers Recreation Area
Houlton's Century Farm Nature Preserve
Houlton Acres Nature Preserve
Houlton Homestead Reserve (or Preserve)
Houlton Homestead and Reserve
"Battle Point"
Houlton Farm Sportsman's Preserve
Monarchs by the river
Houlton Farm Nature Preserve
Houlton Farm Conservation Area
Houlton Recreation Preserve
Elk River Houlton Farm
Orono Wildlife Recreation Area
Houlton Wildlife Recreation Area
Houlton Recreation Area
Houlton Landing
Houlton Farm Landing
Orono Recreation Area
Orono Dam Recreation Area
Orono Dam Wildlife Area
Mississippi-Elk Nature Preserve
Orono Dam wildlife Preserve
Mississippi Landing
Mississippi-Elk Landing
Elk River Landing
C:\Users\davea\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\A96QENYP\Property Name
Contest.xlsx
• Property Naming Contest Name Entries:
Orono Landing
Orono Nature Preserve
Houlton Park
Pierre Bottineau Wildlife Management Area
Pierre Bottineau Conservation
Pierre Bottineau Wildfife Management Area
Houlton Park
Elk River Heritage Farm
Two River Acres
Houlton Farm, Woods and Shores
Two Rivers Preserve
Houlton Preserve
The River Refuge
Elk Point
High Tuv Elk
Elks wild life, Elks got talent or Elks area
Rivers Crossing
Chief Great Marten
Houlton Uppertown Preserve
"Wich a wan"
Elk River Conservation Area
Houlton's Riverside
Riverside Park
Houlton Nature Trails &Heritage Recreation
The Mississippi-Elk Nature Preserve
Elk River Nature Preserve
The Houlton Farm Nature Preserve
The Houlton Farm
The Houlton Farm Scenic Wildlife Area
Houlton Farm Scenic Wildlife Area
Houltan's Haven
Fowl Feathers Farm
C:\Users\davea\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\A96QENYP\Property Name
Contest.xlsx
1111
The First National Bank as it appeared in 1986 .. l
I= •
:" William H. Houlton, founder of Houlton's Bank,
Zimmerman office of the First National Bank.Built and opened in 1978. predecessor of the First National Bank of Elk River.He was
also one of the first directors of the Bank of Elk River.
the staff had grown to nine and in 1986 included 60 full Ellingson,long-time employee,cashier and executive
and part-time employees.The bank also appointed its first vice-president,was president until his death in 1964.
women officers in the mid-1970s. He was succeeded in 1965 by a grandson of the
One thing has not changed since W. H. Houlton started founder, Kendall(Bud)Houlton,who had joined the
the bank's philosophy at its opening: "We shall endeavor staff in 1952,held that position until 1984.
to deal as liberally with customers as is compatible with ab- Stanley R. Wheaton, son of one of the first direc-
solute safety." tors, joined the staff in 1937 and after working his
Houlton was born in 1840 at Houlton, Maine, a town way through the ranks became cashier and later ex-
founded by his grandparents and named in their honor.As ecutive vice-president, a job he held until his semi-
a young boy he came to Minnesota with his father and set- retirement in the early 1980s.
tied on a farm near Monticello.he was a member of the 8th Richard Gongoll, who joined the bank in 1963, is
Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers and took an active part currently president of First National Bank of Elk
in the Civil War. River.
Coming to Elk River in 1866 he entered into a partner- Officers at this writing were K. S. Houlton, chair-
ship with his brother, Horatio, and conducted a general man; Richard Gongoll, president; Stanley R.
store. Later he was engaged in both flour and sawmilling. Wheaton,senior vice-president;Donald S.Ellingson,
The Houlton mill was one of the first roller mills in vice-president and auditor; Duane Kropuenske,
Minnesota. vice-president; Thomas J. McNair, vice-president;
He served as treasurer of Sherburne County from 1870 Gwen McGhan, cashier; Carol Johnson and Tom
to 1874 and was prominent as a member of the state senate Pieri, assistant vice-presidents; Jan Hidde-Hooker,
from 1879 to 1986. Mr. Houlton was one of the founders assistant cashier;Lona DeMars,manager of the Zim-
and charter members of the Union Congregational Church merman branch; and Patsy Kropuenske, manager of
in Elk River, now the Union Church, United Church of the mortgage division.
Christ. He was superintendent of the Minnesota State Directors were John H. Bailey, Richard Gongoll,
Reformatory at St. Cloud from 1986 to 1900.The history K. S. Houlton, Murray M. McNair, Richard L.
of the 8th Volunteer Regiment was written by him and Nelson, Jordan C. Odegard, John Plaisted and S. R.
published by the state in"The History of Minnesota in the Wheaton.
Civil and Indian Wars." (Parts of this article were excerpted from an article
The first directors of the bank were R. E. Dare, M. C. by Elaine Anderson in the Sherburne County Star
Blanchett, Andrew Davis,Charles S. Wheaton, George C. News of July 21, 1977,and an article in the Diamond
Hill, W. H. Houlton, and his son, Sam R. Houlton. Jubilee special Edition of the Sherburne County Star
Another son. Lewis K. Houlton, became president of the News of July 23, 1931)
bank when his father died in 1915 and held office until his
death in 1950. His brother Sam served as president until
his death in 1959 when Roland K. Wilson was elected by
the board and served a short time before his death. R. A.
stumps had to be dynamited and grubbed from at the age of 86 about 1934 she was the last sur- Sam was an active member of Sherburne
the land before it could be used for planting viving charter member of the Union Church. Lodge No.95,A.F.&A.M.for 54 years;a mem-
crops. The dairy herd, horses, pigs, chickens, Although in old age her health confined her to ber of Whittemore Chapter,Order of the Eastern
ducks,and geese needed lots of hay and grains to her home at what later became the site of the Star, and the Elk River Commercial Club. He
feed them all. The men butchered hogs, veal First National Bank in Elk River,her mind was was also a director of the Twin City Milk Produc-
calves, or cattle as needed for the family table. keen and she recalled many interesting events of ers Association for 27 years and a vice-president
They also smoked their own hams,bacon, and early life in Elk River. of that organization for 14 years.
sausages in our smoke house. The women She and W.H. Houlton had three children, Always a quiet, studious man, Mr. Houlton
canned various meats,as well as vegetables and Sam R. Houlton,Lewis K. Houlton, and Ruth used many of his leisure hours for reading. He
fruits from a large garden and orchard.John,Jr., Houlton.The two sons and their father founded was also interested in keeping abreast of the lat-
and Andrew saw service in the United States Houlton's Bank in 1902,and it became the First est developments in agriculture, banking, and
Army during World War II,and Peter and Louis National Bank in 1907.Miss Ruth Houlton was other unrelated fields such as the then-young sci-
were home helping with the farm work. a graduate of the University of Minnesota ence of atomic energy.His wide-ranging general
Mother died in September of 1937 at the age of School of Nursing. She served with the Red knowledge and unassuming personality.made
47;father died in December of 1956 at the age of Cross in Europe in World War I and later became him the real friend of hundreds of Elk River busi-
76. Both are buried in St. Andrew's Cemetery the Executive Director of the Visiting Nurses nessmen and farmers as well as in banking and
near Elk River. Association of the United States located in New agricultural circles in other parts of Minnesota.
John,Jr.,was a carpenter and married Lil Lig- York City. Helen Wheaton earned a degree in education
man who had two sons,but they had no children Footnote: Freddie Houlton was the wife of and home economics at the University of Minne-
together.They lived in Elk River until she died in William H. Houlton, founder of the First sota after her graduation from Elk River High
June of 1960.Peter was single and stayed on the National Bank of Elk River. His story appears. School. She also attended St. Cloud Normal
farm,continuing as a dairy farmer.John moved elsewhere in this book under the history of the School to hone her teaching skills. Before her
back to the farm after Lil died and farmed with First National Bank. marriage to Sam Houlton in 1923 she taught ele-
Peter.They sold their dairy herd in 1975 but con- mentary school in Keewatin,Ely and Elk River,
tinued crop farming.Peter died in September of and home economics in Elk River and Kalama,
1980 and John died in June of 1981. SAM AND HELEN WHEATON Washington. She was an active member of the
Andrew is an electrician and had Andy's Elec- HOULTON Union Church Centennial Society, Elk River
tric Shop in Elk River for many years.He mar- Community Club, and Whittemore Chapter,
Tied Donna Braun of Monticello,and they have Sam R.Houlton was a banker in Elk River for Order of the Eastern Star.
two children:Carolyn and Donald. 57 years,and was also widely known as an agri- She died in 1983 at the age of 92 after living
Louis married Lois Weisz of Becker,and they culturist who once managed a 2,000 acre ranch, two years in the Elk River Nursing Home follow-
have one son David.After farming near Elk Riv- where he raised prize sheep and shorthorn cattle, ing hospitalization for a hip fracture.
er for several years, they sold that farm and and developed one of the nation's outstanding Sam and Helen Houlton had two children:
bought one near Santiago, where he still farms registered milking shorthorn herds. Helen Irene and Kendall(Bud).
with his son. THE KENNETH EARL AND NANCY
Mary married Michael Hoffer,and they have A , `��
three sons:Mike,Jr.,John,and Richard,and are . � HUBBARD FAMILY
still crop farming in Meadowvale. -. r� Kenneth Earl Hubbard was born at Becker.
The John Horvath farm was�sold in 1984 to � � � '`'"' `
Weldon Schulze and Sons who have a large hog ' 4., t,. °A • -
og - Minnesota,on January 30, 1939,the son of Earl
raising operation there.Mary E.Hoffer 1 - M. and Lucille Guentzel Hubbard. His grand-
$.' t.'v,:r-7,- parents• were Joseph and Mary Etta Benson Hub
;„ , bard of Tuttle, North Dakota and August and
Lillian Polesacker Guentzel. He was baptized
FREDDIE LEWIS HOULTON - 2. May 20, 1948 by Father T.S.Ziolhowski at the
Coming to Minnesota from New York at the Becker Immaculate Conception Catholic
$ : "°�'. Church.Ken had eight brothers and sisters:Lay
age of 11 was quite an experience for Freddie em,Shirley,Lois,LaRayne,Dale,Coleen,Carol,
1859 trip she 80de with later she enl recalled trai to and Sharon. He attended school in Becker
1859 trip she made with her parents by train to r farmed with his father just west of Becker,ther
LaCrosse, Wisconsin and then to St. Paul by farmed alone on the place for nineteen years.Ir
boat.She remembered that it was late in the fall 1977 he sold the farm to Northern States Powec
and that her father was afraid the river would Sam and Helen Moulton and moved his family to a farm northeast o:
freeze over before they reached St.Paul. Milaca.There he farms the land and has a largf
His wife,Helen Wheaton Houlton,pursued an herd of Holsteins.Ken is civic-minded and take:
elementary and secondary school teaching an interest in the affairs of the towns, enjoy:
career before her marriage and was active in the bowling and snowmobiling,is a good mechanic
Elk River community as she devoted her life to and at one time rode his horses in both local anc
her home and family. state events in which he won many trophies anc
Both grew up in the Elk River community and
� .`, ' . both graduated from Elk River High School and F
the University of Minnesota. 44 Y;
Born in Elk River January 5, 1878,Sam was�` the son of the prominent Elk River landowner, ' #
developer and businessman,W.H.Houlton and tf'1 = v . '
Freddie Lewis Houlton. After graduating from . ` ' �i- ,
- Elk River High School with honors in 1896 he ,, -" «
became an honor graduate of the University of °1 A,1;40,,, k' -'0: 4
Minnesota School of Agriculture, where he '. `,
received his B.A. degree in 1901 and his B.S. ,, ,, ±.
degree in 1902. 4l
•
,' For the next 20 years he managed the"Houl-
`.. ton Ranch",owned by the Houlton Investment •-- 1 i
Company he and his father and brother had orga-
nized after his graduation from college.Later he
c AI s e turned his attention to his own farm within the -
Elk River village limits and furthered the devel-
- opment of the shorthorn herd until a dispersal r
sale was held in the mid-1940s.
Later the farm was operated on shares with I L
Walter Abraham but Mr.Houlton took an active 't',,,, ''
Freddie Lewis Houlton part in management of the farm until his death in i. \1959. t, '�I
I F
But they did arrive not only in St.Paul but set- While pursuing his agricultural interests,Mr. )
tied at Monticello and 11 years later.Freddie Houlton was.also director of the First National (
became the wife of Elk River pioneer landowner Bank in Elk River,which he and his brother and i
and businessman,William H.Houlton. father had founded in 1902 and named"Houl- r k
Mrs.Houlton was prominent in the social cir- ton's Bank."He served as a vice-president from g 444 i
cies of the early day Elk River and took a great 1926 to 1950,and was president for the remain-
interest in church work.At the time of her death der:of his life. Ken and Nancy Hubbard—Married June 14,1958.
160