Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Naturalist Scott Kudelka, left, leads a hike through forest and prairie sections of Fort Ridgely State Park in January 2022. Participants found plants and tracks and other signs of animals in the park.

FAIRFAX — After a period of inactivity, four new board members were elected to the Friends of Fort Ridgely (State Park) organization at the Fairfax Public Library March 21.

Ray Bohn, Bix Baker, Janet Cram and Al Koenig were appointed to what is now an eight-member board. Koenig was unanimously elected secretary and Cram as treasurer.

Koenig said the Friends of Fort Ridgely Facebook group has more than 300 members, many of whom have a strong interest in history.

“Fort Ridgely is arguably the most significant military history site in Minnesota, having survived two attacks during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862,” Koenig said.

“The (Facebook) group is a good venue for disseminating information and receiving comments,” he added.

Cram suggested adding to the group’s Facebook page for similar purposes and as a conduit to Instagram and perhaps Twitter, a social media platform that reaches many people.

Baker discussed a multitude of former Fort Ridgely successful events and endeavors, including concerts, plays, school days (educational events with area school children), Sky Watch events, park cleanup days and historical tours, among other things.

Randy Krzmarzick suggested the Friends of Fort Ridgely act as a watchdog organization to thwart attempts to diminish or destroy area heritage.

John Fritsche suggested the group meet again in May.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Ridgely interpretative center has been closed.

The state park upper valley trail is closed until Monday, April 10, according to the park homepage on the DNR website. Other trails are open for winter hiking, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Minnesota Historical Society manages the Fort Ridgely Historic Site. The historic grounds are open for self-guided tours daily. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required.

Park staff hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday from mid May through the third weekend in October.

Self-registration envelopes are no longer accepted for permit or pass payments. They can be purchased online at /state_parks/permit.html using Wifi at the park office or in-person with park staff.

Park information can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more information, visit https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/parkhtml?id=spk00151#homepage