BACK to News

MUSSER PARK

John and Betty Musser originally purchased a 22-acre parcel on Salem Church Road in 1937, building a replica of a New England farmhouse. One lovely morning in 1945, they hiked to the high ground on the vacant 25-acre parcel to the east to view the sunrise. They were so impressed with the beauty of the land that they purchased it. Their intent from the beginning was to preserve the land in its natural state so it would never be developed.

Following John’s death, Betty decided that as a memorial to the wonderful years they enjoyed living in Sunfish Lake, and to accomplish the above goals, she would deed 22 of the 25 acres to the City in her Will, to be kept in its natural state in perpetuity. The City accepted this extraordinarily generous gift in 2002 as a public park, agreeing to abide by the conditions Betty attached – that the land would be used only for hiking and cross-country skiing, that all wheeled or motorized vehicles would be prohibited, that no structures could be built, and that the only improvements could be brushing out trails and removing invasive vegetation. The Park is located south of Salem Church Road halfway between Delaware and Robert.

Recognizing that restrictions on deeds are only valid for 30 years, and wishing to honor Betty’s intent that the land would always remain in its natural state, a conservation easement was arranged with the Minnesota Land Trust. Councilman Tom Hendrickson bored holes in a 6-ton granite boulder placed on site to mount a memorial plaque.  

Forester Mark Johnson was given the responsibility to maintain Musser Park. After flagging routes for interior trails, a work crew of volunteer residents armed with chain saws, loppers, and brush cutters brushed out the trails on June 21. Included were Mark, who ran his chain saw with one hand while tossing brush with the other, Gordy Altshuler, Joel Arney, Jim Sullivan, Joel Bennett and Frank & Betty Tiffany. Trailhead is shown to left, located about 50 feet west of the boulder.

A dedication ceremony with Susan  Musser Halby and Margo Willett Miller in attendance was held on September 14. Dan Halvorsen and Anne Murphy made the arrangements. This was a community-wide event with refreshments and games. See Photos

Check Channel 18 for our TV show.