About the Effort
Our society was established to assist our Great State in the procurement and development of the proposed Lake Vermilion State Park located in the arrowhead region of Minnesota near Tower.
As our population has continued to grow in strides, we have not added to our catalog of state parks for the conservation of our lands and the enjoyment and recreation of the people. This park, like the others, would serve as a vast outdoor classroom, a paradise of recreation, a wilderness for generations to come.
The land is currently owned by US Steel headquartered in Pittsburgh PA. In 2008 the Minnesota Legislature appropriated funding to purchase the park which was signed by Governor Tim Pawlenty. US Steel continues to hold out for a higher price. State law prohibits the state from paying more then 10% of the appraised value for a parcel.
The mission of this society is two fold:
- Petition our elected leaders to urge US Steel to meet the state at a mutually beneficial price point so the state may procure the parcel for the park.
- Assist the state in private fundraising efforts for procurement and development of the park as needed.
Let this park serve as a symbol of this generation’s commitment to conservation.