03/03/2026
Public Open House to be held March 11, 2026, for the Quarry Park & Nature Preserve Master Plan
The Stearns County Parks Department will host a public open house on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Stearns County License Service Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN.
The open house will be an opportunity for the general public to review draft recommendations for future development and programming at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve.
Parks Department staff and Park Commissioners have been working with park planning consultants over the past few months to review background information, solicit public feedback, and evaluate opportunities for the park. General public feedback was collected through an online survey and interactive mapping application that were open from December 31, 2025, through February 16, 2026. Specific feedback from partnership organizations was also gathered during focused meetings held in January.
Draft recommendations for the master plan have been developed, and these ideas will be presented at the open house on display boards.
The master plan recommendations are based on the previous master plan, which was written in 1995, along with recent public and stakeholder input. The master plan will identify a vision for the future, including investments in the park over the next ten to 20 years.
The open house information will be organized by the following topics:
• Overview of the Master Plan process, purpose, and schedule
• Summary of public engagement and input to date
• Expansion of mountain bike trails
• Potential new Visitor Center precedent ideas, size, scale, location, and program
• General park issues and opportunities, such as accessibility, hiking trails, interpretation, picnicking, amenities, and park usage
• Natural Resources initiatives
• Programming, Events, and Tourism
Stearns County Parks staff and Park Commissioners will be present at the open house to listen to and discuss ideas for future investments in the park. Please help the county plan by providing your input. The input will be reviewed and considered by county staff and the Stearns County Park Commission to help determine the priorities that will go into the master plan.
How can you provide input?
Attend the Open House
• Quarry Park and Nature Preserve Master Plan Open House
Stearns County License Service Center,
3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Stop by anytime during the open house to:
o Review draft recommendations on display boards
o Meet with Stearns County Park Commissioners to discuss ideas
o Provide feedback at the meeting or through a complementary online survey
Project Website
• Check the project website to find more information: https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/396/Quarry-Park-Nature-Preserve
