by Cori Hilsgen
news@thenewsleaders.com
With the continued growth of the Sartell area, people who enjoy being outdoors can appreciate being able to spend time with nature in areas such as around Lake Francis, near the Sartell Community Center and Chateau Waters, and other parks and trails around the city.
Sartell resident George Torrey is encouraging people to donate to help beautify the Lake Francis area.
He said donations of more benches, trees and paver stones will help increase the beauty around the lake. The benches will also give people a chance to walk for exercise around the lake and rest on a bench when they need to.
People using the trail will have a place to sit and enjoy the beauty around them.
Torrey, 85, and his wife, Shirley, 81, were some of the first residents to move into Chateau Waters when it opened in July 2016. They had previously lived on Big Fish Lake by Cold Spring.
“I am an outdoor person,” he said. “It was important for me to be able to sit outside and enjoy the outdoors.”
Torrey, a former president of Herberger’s in St. Cloud, said now that the fountain and lights have been installed around the lake trail, more benches and trees for adequate shade would be nice.
“A lot of people use the trail around the lake,” he said. “It is pretty active. This is a chance to enhance the beautification of that body of water. I want to do what I can to make it as beautiful as can be.”
The benches, trees and paver stones enable people to honor a loved one or commemorate a special event.
Currently, there are eight benches along the trail surrounding the lake.
Memorial benches include several by George and Shirley-one for their deceased son, David; one for the July 2016 Chateau Waters opening; and another for when they moved into Chateau Waters.
Another bench was an Eagle Scout Project by Peter Amundson and was sponsored by Quality Electric Services Inc. A bicycle repair station is by this bench.
Other benches around the lake include those donated by Alice and Frank Brown and the Great River Bowl and Partners Pub.
There are also swing benches behind the Sartell Community Center.
Sartell City Administrator Mary Degiovanni said the paver stones are unique to the Lake Francis area, but donations for trees and benches can also be designated for other parks and trail areas as long as people work with the city.
The paver stones are placed at the base of the Angel of Hope in the Townsquare development, south of Scout Drive off of Pinecone Road South at Lake Francis.
The Angel of Hope was donated by What Would Bri Do as a memorial where mourning parents, families and friends can find solace.
The cost of a swing bench is $2,250, a bench is $1,500, a tree is $250 and a paver stone is $150.
People who are interested in donating to the Lake Francis or any other city park or trail area should contact the city of Sartell at 320-253-2171 or visit the website sartellmn.com/city-donations for more information.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
George Torrey discusses how he hopes donations will help beautify the area around Lake Francis by adding additional trees and benches for people to enjoy.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
This bench at Lake Francis was donated by George and Shirley Torrey when they moved to Chateau Waters. George Torrey is encouraging donations for additional benches, trees and pavers to be added around the lake area.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
This raised garden area behind Chateau Waters is near the Lake Francis trail.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Chateau Waters resident George Torrey sits on a bench and enjoys the view of the fountain in the middle of Lake Francis. He hopes to promote exercise on the trail around the lake and is encouraging donations for benches, trees and pavers to be installed around the lake near the Sartell Community Center and Chateau Waters.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Several geese check out the Lake Francis trail area behind the Sartell Community Center.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
Sartell resident George Torrey is encouraging people to help beautify the Lake Francis area by adding additional benches and trees like this one on the trail around the lake. Chateau Waters (left) and the Sartell Community Center are visible in the background of the photo.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
The Lake Francis area includes a fountain and lighted trail with benches to relax and enjoy the view.
photo by Cori Hilsgen
This bench, located on the trail around Lake Francis, was an Eagle Scout project by Peter Amundson and sponsored by Quality Electric Services. A bike repair station is installed near it.
Author: Cori Hilsgen
Hilsgen is a contributing reporter for the Newsleaders. The central Minnesota native is a wife, mother and grandmother. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and Communication from Concordia University – St. Paul, MN and enjoys learning about and sharing other people’s stories through the pages of the Newsleaders.