Planning for the Future of Fairy Falls Day Use AreaThe National Park Service is exploring opportunities for improving safety, protecting the natural environment, and enhancing visitor experiences at the Fairy Falls Day Use Area, located near Stillwater, Minnesota. The Fairy Falls Day Use Area is a 54-acre natural area located in Stillwater Township. Deep ravines and steep bluffs surround Silver Creek as it passes through a marsh on its way the St. Croix River. The area has a long history of human use and its ecological diversity provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Fairy Falls Day Use Area is currently closed to the public due to lack of safe visitor access and deteriorating social trails along steep slopes.Public Input 2021:In October and November 2021, Riverway staff invited public comments to gather input and ideas for the future of Fairy Falls Day Use Area. Over 40 comments from members of the public and partners were submitted during a month-long public comment period, and over 30 individuals attended two virtual open houses held on October 19 and October 21, 2021. The presentation provided in those meetings was recorded and can be accessed on the Wild Rivers Conservancy's YouTube channel: Fairy Falls Day Use Area Virtual Public Meeting Presentation 10.19.2021 - YouTube. Park management suggestions: Commenters shared possible solutions for the parking situation, including trailhead and parking lot locations, connection opportunities, and parking management solutions such as permits. Other comments about management included provision of basic amenities such as trash cans, restroom facilities, and benches or picnic areas. Commenters also noted opportunities for natural and cultural resource interpretation and education, such as signage about plants, wildlife, and historic resources at the site.
Public Input 2023: (updated Tuesday, 2/21/2023)In February and March 2023, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway will be seeking public input about future management of the Fairy Falls Day Use Area. Public comments will be accepted February 13 through March 29, 2023 (extended from March 15). All interested individuals are invited to share their thoughts at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/fairyfalls, or by sending comments to Lisa Yager, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, 401 N. Hamilton Street, St. Croix Falls, WI 54024. ![]() NPS/Rhoades Fairy Falls Day Use Area Closure Rescinded – Effective December 19, 2022Fairy Falls Day Use Area closed to the public in the summer of 2020 due to unsafe trail and site conditions and lack of access. The NPS has been working to secure parking and make minor site adjustments while the longer-term site planning process has been ongoing. The NPS aims to rescind the site closure while the larger planning process continues.
Any project updates throughout the process can be found on this web page, linked from "Planning for Fairy Falls" at http://www.nps.gov/sacn, or by calling the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Headquarters at 715-483-2274. |
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Last updated: February 21, 2023