D.D. KENNEDY PARK

The D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area consists of 106 acres of open prairies and abundant woodlands along the waters of the Balsam Branch River. In the late 1800’s, a miller, August Gumpert, bought Lenroot’s Mill and developed the Balsam Branch Roller millers into a saw and flour mill, cheese factory, store, blacksmith shop and large house. He also built a channel (flume) to direct water from the mill pond to the water wheel.

In 1914 D.D. (Dougald Duncan) Kennedy became owner and rebuilt the wooden dam with concrete. The saw mill operated three to four weeks in the spring when the river was high for water power; after the sawing season, it became a grist mill for livestock feed. Kennedy installed a small water wheel in 1926 which supplied electricity for the farm until 1960. Kennedy was an active community organizer and served three terms in the Wisconsin Legislature as Assemblyman.

After Kennedy’s death in 1941, his widow Violet continued to operate the grist mill and farm including a dairy with assistance of hired help until 1965. Violet’s brothers built her a new house closer to the mill pond in 1952.

On August 14, 1973, the Polk County Board of Supervisors accepted Violet Kennedy’s gift of 100 acres for a park and recreation area. Violet and D.D. both loved the place and felt the public should also enjoy it.

Little was done with the property between 1973 and 1990 when new leadership took over and non-profit organizations and individuals formed the FRIENDS OF THE D.D. KENNEDY, led by Darrell and Rosalie Kittleson. The Sportsman’s Club, Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, financial institutions, University Extension, school, and community had representatives on the Board of Directors who drew up a constitution and established committees to implement the plan for the Environmental Classroom Park.

Wildflowers and native species were seeded, prairie grass was restored. Picnic facilities, a pump, restrooms, and a parking lot were installed with donated funds, including a substantial grant from the Bremer Foundation.

A major project was the 98 foot bridge over the Balsam Branch built by the 327^th Engineer Reserves Company in 1992. Trails were constructed and blacktopped by the Polk County Parks Department that same year.

Dedication of the Park took place June 13, 1993, featuring ribbon cutting and speeches by Polk county officials and Mrs. Kennedy. In 1994 the bike trail system from Amery and Balsam Lake opened and the following year cross-county ski trials were established. Fundraisers continued and with the funds the flume was cleaned and water again reached the Branch on the east side of the road; walkways and a small bridge were built, Violet Kennedy’s house was moved, a new picnic shelter and restrooms built, playground equipment installed, a large aluminum handicapped dock was installed, and benches were placed throughout.

Violet Kennedy celebrated her 95^th birthday on September 1, 1998, at the Park. She passed away early 1999. Her dream had been fulfilled in her lifetime.

The disastrous damage done in April, 2001 by the unusually large amount of rainfall eroding a section of the dam, washing the pier downstream, damaging the walkways and other areas was the stimulus of a new phase at the Park. After discussing dam replacement, it was decided by the County Board to proceed with 75% funding by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the state and county each contributing 12.5%. The total cost was around $400,000. The new dam was completed in 2004; the aluminum dock was moved to the Mill Pond, and memorial boulders, benches, and trees were added.

An Educational Center was became a reality in 2007. The building was financed by donations and grants, the main grant coming from the Marion Park-Deaver Foundation, giving $30,000. The white pine logs for the building were harvested from Polk County Forests by volunteers and paid for by many individuals who purchased logs for $250 or shingles for $50. The 40- by 40- foot Educational Center; designed by strong supporter and volunteer, J.P. Johnson, is not an exact replica of the 1901 mill, but resembles it with the familiar center tower.

The Land, Air, Soil, and History (LASH) program, a combined effort of the Polk County Land and Water Resources Department, the Polk County Historical Society, and the Friends of D.D. Kennedy Park is an educational tool used to teach children the importance of learning about the past for saving the world for the future. Eight public schools and several smaller schools brought their students to the Park in 2005 through this program funded primarily by the Park-Deaver, Ann Marie Foundation, and the Polk County Sportsman’s Club

This history was taken from work of Marge Hallquist, friend of the family and park