Location: Lake Bronson State Park, western fishing pier
Managed by: MN DNR
Management Address
3793 230th ST
Lake Bronson MN 56734
Lake Bronson State Park offers visitors various types of recreational opportunities that one would expect within a State Park. The Park is situated in an area that includes both woods and prairies. Two fishing piers are located within the Park one with limited accessibility and the other almost totally inaccessible (If you have a mobility disability). Visitors will need a day pass or seasonal park pass in order to access the Park. Minnesota does offer many sub-groups of people with disabilities reduced rates so visitors with disabilities should review the following to see if you fit into one of the categories and if you do how to make application to see if you are eligible to get a permit, https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/accessible_outdoors/parks/index.html . Persons with a Federal Access Pass may show the park attendant the Pass for a reduced rate also, https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#CP_JUMP_5088581 .
Description
This review is providing information on the fishing pier located by the dam at the west end of the Park. To travel to the pier take an immediate right after the passing the entrance office and follow the road to its conclusion. At the end of the road you will find a parking area which you can use to access the walking trail to the pier. The pier is south on this walking trail towards the Dam the walking trail is a hard surfaced tar route which runs parallel to Cnty Hwy 28 (outside the park).
Though the tar route is within the scope of an accessible route the parking area may not meet the firm and stable definitions as the ADA defines it if wet weather has been experienced. Additionally, the slope of the ramp connecting the parking area to the walking path is greater than 1/48 in two of the three readings taken. The next area where the accessible route is out of compliance is where the route transitions to a ramp leading down to the fishing pier. This transition point presents a couple different cross slopes at such a disparity it maybe enough to cause some new wheel chair users to tip which may cause them to fall down the embankment to the lake, cation is advised. The ramp leading to the fishing pier is approximately 63’ long and for the most part has a greater slope than what is permissible by 2%. The lower turning point from the ramp to the pier also is not within permissible tolerances. Prospective visitors are asked to review the pictures to assess if they would be able to navigate the obstacles. The fishing pier itself is like so many older piers in Minnesota in that it was built like a child’s play pen, where the perceived safety of the fisher person with a disability outweighed a broad number of people with disabilities able to reach the water and fish in relative comfort. This is due to the high rail, limited access points from which to fish and narrow cut outs. Optionsoutdoors offers this information so you can evaluate the accessibility to judge for yourself if it is usable based on your or a loved one’s disability
Location Info » For directions, click the marker in the map. »
The closest city to the Park is Lake Bronson located on hwy 59 going north/south. To go to the entrance of the Park follow Cnty Rd 28 for a couple miles to the park entrance. Sings are located along the route.
Amenities
The park is surrounded by many small communities the closest being Lake Bronson. Due to the parks close location, the community of Lake Bronson has developed various stores catering to the parks visitors. The closest larger communities which will have larger big box stores will be Roseau and Thief River Falls.
Lodging
Lake Bronson has lodging as well as Hallock, Roeau, and Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Potential users are cautioned to call first to insure that the level of access will meet their needs. The closest community Lake Bronson has a motel with very limited accessibility.
