APG Specialty Publications 00_MONTICELLO_RG_17_BOOK_FINAL_REDUCED | Page 20

COMMUNITY
GETTING TO KNOW THE AREA
Drive, on the east end of the city. Viewing
season occurs from mid-November through
the end of March each year.
Chamber, PO Box 192 Monticello, MN 55362.
Please make checks payable to the Swan City
Heritage Foundation.
A partnership for restoring Trumpeter Swans in
the area emerged between the private sector,
government agencies, and the public several
years ago with a pair of Trumpeters that were
released from Hennepin Parks. Additional pairs
followed.
Otter Park, Photo by Chris Lommel
BERTRAM CHAIN OF LAKES
Wright County and the City of Monticello have
partnered in an effort to acquire 1,200 acres
of open space in Wright County, known as
the Bertram Chain of Lakes. The partnership
was formed with the goal of improving the
community’s quality of life by preserving
this irreplaceable natural area and creating
a regional park for public enjoyment and
recreation. The Bertram Chain of Lakes
property represents four lakes, acres of
undisturbed shoreline, natural habitat, and oak
forest. The property is located directly west of
the city limits of Monticello along County Road
39 and 90th Street.
The current park, located at 9842 Briarwood
Ave NE, now features 812 acres and is open
from 6am to sunset. A parking area is available
off 90th street. The park provides users access
to 4 miles of hiking trails, 10 miles of single
track mountain bike trails, , hiking/walking,
public lake access and snowshoeing trails.
Access to Bertram Lake and a carry-in access
to Long Lake will allow users the opportunity
to paddle Long, Mud and First Lakes. The
swimming beach on the north end of Bertram
Lake is now open for public use.
SWAN PARK
Monticello is host to more than 2,000
Trumpeter Swans during the winter months.
The banks of the Mississippi River within the
city limits enjoy the open waters during the
winter, compliments of the nuclear generating
plant upstream, which provide the Swans an
ideal wintering vacation spot. The protected
viewing for the public is located on Mississippi
20 Chamber Member Directory
Sheila, (also known as the “Swan Lady”) was
a local resident who lived on the banks of
the Mississippi River and was kept very busy
hauling buckets of shelled corn from her
driveway to the gentle sloping river banks of
her backyard. As the wintering Swan population
grew, Sheila spent entire days hauling corn
from a grain hopper in her driveway down to
the river bank for the Swans. The installation
of a custom designed conveyor system now
transports the corn from the gravity wagon in
the driveway down to the river. This provided a
more efficient use of her time and labor giving
her additional hours to spend enjoying and
observing the Swans herself.
HOMES & RESIDENTIAL
LIVING
Monticello provides a variety of housing choices
from established wooded neighborhoods to
newly formed subdivisions. Monticello offers
a variety of multi-family and step-up housing
choices which makes Monticello perfect for
every stage in life. While the rate of growth has
slowed with the economy, Monticello has a
stable and growing population. There has never
been a better time to call Monticello home.
Please refer to the Chamber Member Directory
to see a listing of real estate professionals,
housing and apartment options, and real estate
mortgage lenders.
LODGING
The funding for purchase and delivery of corn
to feed the waterfowl viewed at Swan Park for
the past 25 years was paid in its entirety by
Sheila Lawrence with the generous help of a
few of her close friends and countless Swan
Park visitors. No financial support is provided by
any municipal or state agencies. A foundation
has been created to continue the legacy and
to promote and grow this Monticello winter
treasure. To contribute to the Swan City
Heritage Foundation (501C3 status granted),
donations can be mailed to Monticello
Nothing enhances a vacation or a business trip
like the perfect place to stay. Monticello and
the surrounding area comes in all shapes and
sizes, from affordable to extended stay options.
Be sure to check out our beautiful hotels, bed &
breakfast, and campground options.
See our Chamber Member listings directory for
more information about area lodging.