The Menahga City Council (Minnesota) is moving forward with plans to add 10 permanent campsites at the city-owned Memorial Forest Park and Campground, each equipped with full water, sewer, and electric services.
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Bryan Soukup presented the proposal during the Nov. 24 council meeting, citing minimal impact to existing amenities.
Soukup recommended locating the new campsites approximately 524 feet from 13th Street SW, aiming to maintain access and preserve the park’s existing features.
According to an article published by Park Rapids Enterprise on November 25, each site is projected to cost around $9,200 in materials, excluding electrical pedestals, which Soukup estimated at $500 to $600 apiece.
Memorial Forest Park & Campground offers a peaceful retreat for outdoor lovers seeking both relaxation and adventure.
Set on 40 acres of forest along South Highway 71, the campground provides shaded sites for RV and tent camping, complete with fire rings, picnic tables, and electric and water hookups.
Visitors can enjoy modern amenities including a clean shower house with hot showers and a convenient RV dump station. Group-friendly picnic pavilions allow families and friends to gather under the trees, while the surrounding natural beauty of towering pines, birches, and hardwoods enhances every stay.
Guests of all ages will find plenty of activities at Memorial Forest Park. Children can enjoy the playground or a short walk to the sandy Spirit Lake beach for swimming and splashing.
Fishing enthusiasts can cast off from the T-shaped pier or launch a boat at the nearby public access, while horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, and the 12-Tee St. Urho Disc Golf Course provides friendly competition for all.
Councilor Keith Waaraniemi requested additional quotes for road construction, tree clearing, and utility installation to better understand the overall project costs.
Soukup indicated that he hopes to complete the construction before the end of 2026.
During the same meeting, the council approved a letter of support to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a proposed roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 71 and State Highway 87.
The roundabout is part of a larger improvement project slated for 2028, covering a 12-mile stretch from Menahga to Sebeka.
Northbound Spirits Manager Heather Shepersky reported that recent roof repairs totaled $45,882, and work on the beer cave cost $71,140.