Bemidji takes ownership of Algoma Park

NORTHERN TOWNSHIP - Algoma Park is now a city park.

Northern Township supervisors approved the signing of a deed Monday evening transferring ownership of the park, known both as Northern Township Park and Algoma Park.

The park, located along Algoma Street north of the traditional city limits, became part of the city as the first phase of annexation was completed last month.

Mike Kelly, the chairman of the Northern Township board, signed the warranty deed during a joint meeting between township and city officials.

The park, he said, was given to the township by Beltrami County with the understanding it would remain green space.

The warranty deed states that the park must remain green space and, if, for whatever reason, the city opts to not do that, the land will revert back to Northern Township.

"We feel very strongly that it remain green space, utilized as a park," he said.

The city plans to maintain the park as a city park. Funding for improvements are budgeted for 2013.