People show up to enjoy fun at Albert Lea Lake

Hundreds of people came out Saturday to celebrate the completion of the new canoe and kayak launch on Albert Lea Lake.

Along the shoreline of Frank Hall Park, Golden Point Launch is between the Department of Natural Resources fishing pier and the Pelican Breeze boat dock. The area was renovated through a $50,000 grant awarded from Michelob Golden Draft Light.

Albert Lea Lake was the first lake chosen in the nation for the grant through an online contest with Anheuser-Busch.

“I’m very happy with the results,” said Lakes Foundation of Albert Lea President Laura Lunde. “Southern Minnesota is now on the map for a lakes destination.”

After a short presentation with officials from Anheuser Busch, the Lakes Foundation and the Freshwater Society, Lunde and Susie Petersen, executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, cut a ribbon at the site in front of a group of children eager to get out on the water.

Lunde said she and others hope to eventually put a boathouse at the site where people can rent nonmotorized boats.

She said she and other organizers initially considered six locations for the launch site, but they identified Frank Hall Park as the winner.

The site now includes a pathway directly to the water with a sandy center, surrounded by native grasses and plants on the outside.

Andy Henschel with the Shell Rock River Watershed District said he was excited to see everyone at the event to celebrate what he described as one of the community’s “jewels.” He briefly talked about the other work being done to improve the area’s lakes, including the installation of the new dam and fish barrier on Albert Lea Lake and the ongoing efforts for the Fountain Lake dredging.

“There are a lot of exciting projects coming to our lakes,” Henschel said.

After the ceremony, people climbed aboard canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to try out the launch and spend some time on the lake. The equipment was made available through Albert Lea Community Education free of charge.

There was also beer tasting provided by Anheuser Busch, helicopter rides, Pelican Breeze II cruises and nature education for children through Seeker’s Wild.

Food and other beverages were provided by vendors.

“We really surprised everybody when the little guy won,” said Kelly Krieger with Krieger Beverage, who organized an online Facebook campaign to collect votes for the contest.