The Walk Talk | Walk Lake Pepin - Walking Lake Pepin

2026 Walking Lake Pepin final gathering

8/25/2026

Walking Lake Pepin 2026 participants had their final meeting on Wednesday, August 19.
The group gathered at the Marina Point Park past the trailers at the end of Ralph Samuelson Way.
This Park is an out of the way small park in Lake City that offers access to fishing off the point beach, a quiet picnic area with a couple tables and most of all a specular vantage point to view the beauty up and down Lake Pepin with few distractions. Some of the WLP walkers had never visited this park and vowed to return to view a sunrise or sunset.
The group shared treats and conversation while sharing the high points of this year’s WLP group walks.
In spite of weather challenges, it was a good year with exploration of a couple of new walking locations: Great River Vineyard, the Lake City Marina pier and the Wabasha historic downtown and riverfront.
Walking Lake Pepin was initiated in 2008 to encourage walking for the benefits of health and wellness. https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a71201296/major-benefits-from-walking-every-day/
Over the last 19 years, in addition, it has also provided for exploration of new walking sites and an opportunity to share historical locations and to build community for both newcomers to Lake City and long-term residents.
For those who logged the miles or minutes they walked this summer, a drawing was held for $20 Chamber Bucks prize, and Marilyn Lichtenburg was the winner. Drawing for door prizes continued, and all who attended left with a prize in hand.
Looking ahead to 2027, the group brainstormed some unique ideas to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Walking Lake Pepin. Stay tuned and join in next summer. It should be fun!

Patty Svien, Walking Lake Pepin leader, at Marina Point Park with a view of Lake Pepin in the background to show the beauty of Lake Pepin from this small but serene Lake City Park. Inset photos show the many places that the WLP group visited in 2026.

August 29th, 2026 WLP visits Great River Vineyard

8/20/2026

On Wednesday July 29 the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group walkers headed out to the Great River Vineyard, 4 miles north of Lake City on Hwy 61, walking through the vineyard and orchard property with new owners Simon and Sunni Kehren while they described their plans for the property.
Kehren’s purchased the vineyard last year and have been working to re-establish the wine grapes while continuing to nurture and sell the table grapes and orchard fruit that have been growing in the vineyard for years.
The vineyard started by John Marshall in 1988, was an early vineyard in Minnesota that worked at establishing winter hardy grapes for wine making. One of two wineries in Minnesota in 1988 there are now over 75.
John Marshall had a huge impact on the Minnesota wine industry due to his work in pioneering cold hardy grape. He did his work with grape breeder Elmer Swenson and the University of Minnesota
Sunni treated the group to grape juice she had made last year from the harvest of the table grapes. The juice was delicious! Wine grapes will take more time to produce a harvest but the table grapes will be available again late August for purchase.

WLP visits Wabasha, Home of the Amercian Bald Eagle

8/19/2026

The final group walk of the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) 2026 season took place in Wabasha, MN.

Nancy Falkum, a Wabasha resident, met the walkers near the amphitheater next to the Eagle Center for a walk through historic downtown Wabasha and the river front neighborhood. Nancy has been active in uncovering the history of the downtown area, researching records to find out when the buildings were constructed and who has occupied the buildings over the years.

Like most river settlements, Wabasha was first inhabited by Native Americans, the M’dewkanton band of the Dakota Indians. The city and county of Wabasha were named after Chief Wa-pa-shaw, a leader in the Sioux nation.

Nancy reported that Wabasha has the distinction of being the oldest city in Minnesota with continuous occupancy since 1826. Early on Wabasha was a center for fur trading, logging, clamming, shipping and flour milling.

The American Bald eagle has always been a part of the Wabasha environment and culture. In 1989 a local group took an abandoned riverside deck and started the EagleWatch, a place where eagle enthusiasts could stop and see the eagles that were plentiful along the river front. From there the work toward the National Eagle Center began with the opening the of the present facility in 2007.

Again, Mother Nature provided an evening just right for a stroll along the Mississippi River to explore a city with a historic downtown, a scenic river front and the home to the American Bald eagle.

The WLP walkers met up for a final social gathering and awards on Wednesday, August 19th. Story in next week’s Graphic.

Prairie Walk enjoyed by All.

8/13/2026

The Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group paid a visit to the bluff top Manawa Prairie Farm owned by Dag Knudsen and Deirdre Flesche last Wednesday evening, August 5.
The WLP group has visited the farm in previous years and always learns something new about the importance of sustainable farming practices for healthy soil and water.
Dag gave the group a lesson on the history of native prairies noting that his farm when he bought it was a typical acreage with row crops. He has spent the last 30 years transforming the land to a prairie farm with great success.

The walking path through the farm led the walkers by a variety of prairie grasses and flowers that Dag identified, sharing stories about their pattern of distribution on the farm and the many benefits to the soil. Unlike farming today with yearly row crops and use of chemicals the prairie grasses with deep roots contribute to healthy soil, erosion control and pollinator habitat. “Mother Nature” knows what she if doing!

On Wednesday, August 19, the WLP walkers will meet at 6:30 at the end of Marina Point (past the trailers) to celebrate their season of walking. Participants who logged their miles or minutes of walking this summer can bring their log sheet to the gathering or mail them to Patty Svien, 612 Willers Court, Lake City. There will be drawing for a Chamber Bucks award for those you logged their walking.

Amazing weather for our Marina group walk July 22.

7/27/2026

The Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group walk on July 22 can boast superb weather as the group learned about Lamplighter Sarah Kimm as they walked her path placing lamps on the river as she would have done every day for 37 years.
As reported in the Graphic by Sarah Ziebarth, Sarah Kimm lit lamps placing them, one at the pier and the second at the city point, to assist with river navigation. She dutifully placed the lamps each evening and extinguished them every morning rain or shine, blizzard or heat. She was paid only $22 per month for her dedicated service.
The walkers commented on how dangerous that walk along the breakwater must have been when weather, wind, snow and rain, was part of the journey. Sarah retired and died a week later in 1937 at the age of 78.
To those on the walk, it became clear life on the river had challenges and it took a special group of people to make it safe for all.
This Wednesday, July 29, WLP will visit Great River Vineyard 4 miles north on Hwy 61, across from Hanson's Harbor. New owners of the vineyard, Simon and Sunni Kehren, will lead the group on a hike through the vineyard. The group meet up will be at 6:30 pm at the Vineyard.
Wednesday August 5, the WLP group walk will explore Manawa Prairie Farm, a farm cultivated to produce healthy soil, native plants and attract pollinators. Dag and Deirdre Knudsen will be our tour guides to show the group how to make agriculture sustainable.
Meet up on August 5 at 6:30 at Roschen Park to carpool to the farm. Watch WLP Facebook for updates due to weather.

WLP took a walk to view Lake City Historic Homes

7/13/2026

Last week, Wednesday July 8, the rain subsided so the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group could walk the planned route along Garden and Oak streets exploring the many historic homes built in this neighborhood.
Jim Schreck, who lived during his youth on Garden Street, shared his early memories. He told the group that his block was home to 40+ children during the post war baby boom. The street was reserved for kids playing in the street and cars learned to take other streets to accommodate this. Capture the Flag and other games were regular evening activities at Patton Park during those years
Anne Tabat, LC Historical Society board member, led the walk along Garden to Oak Street She referred to historical society notes on these homes as to the year built, notable residents and the various architectural styles: Queen Anne, Italianate, Foursquare and Greek Revival.
She encouraged us to think of the families who lived here in the past in terms of shared experiences with the families of today. Many of these large homes were owned by merchants who had businesses in easy walking distance to Washington Street or doctors whose practices like Dr Patton where in their homes. In some cases the office signs of these doctors are still on the door.
Changing economic and life circumstances had an effect not only on the residents but on the homes. When prominent state senator Patrick Rahilly bought the Harvey Williamson home it was expanded and embellished to represent the Greek Revivial style and was designed to accommodate the guests and entertainments one would expect of a state level leader.
In other cases, homes were divided into two buildings as fuel costs rose in the early 20th century. Others were remodeled to include separate living quarters that could be rented to young couples or others looking for affordable living near downtown.
Later these homes would be occupied by large families or their elderly neighbors who had a constant supply of young labor to mow lawns and help with household chores. Jim Schrek can tell you more about that too!
Since we missed being rained on, Anne invited us to her historic home (formerly a barn to the Edward Wise home next door) for cookies and lemonade to celebrate. We were then able to appreciate the advantages of front porches that have delighted generations of Lake City residents and serve to connect friends and neighbors in a friendly, welcoming way.
Wednesday, July 15, the WLP group is scheduled to travel to Red Wing Memorial Park to walk and enjoy the bluff view vistas of Red Wing and the Mississippi River.
Wednesday, July 22, the WLP group walkers will meet at the scenic parking lot off Hwy 61 by the Marina breakwater at 6:30 for a walk along the break water and then out to Marina Point. Watch the WLP Facebook page for updates due to weather.
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Old Frontenac; Always a Pleasant Stroll

7/7/2026

A light rain shower greeted the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group in Old Frontenac on Wednesday night July 1. The walkers stood under the elevated van hatch to stay dry as Jim Schreck gave the group some new information about the woman who helped settle Old Frontenac.
One of the more interesting facts concerns the mixed-race sisters of the Santee Dakota Mdewakanton tribe, Jane Wells and Mary Elizabeth Faribault.
Each sister received ownership of land from the Half Breed Tract which was established by the 1830 Treaty of Prairie du Chien which set aside 320,00 acres of land west of Lake Pepin. Each sister and their children received 400 acres of the half breed tract.
Jane married James Wells an early settler who established the first trading post in 1837. The Wells family moves to Faribault, selling their home and trading post in 1854 to Evert Westervelt
Evert Westervelt, a partner of Israel Garrard, who were the leaders in developing the Frontenac area, builds the Locust Lodge in 1861 on the Wells property.
Current renovation to the Locust Lodge was noted as the WLP group walked by. Also under renovation is the Dakota Cottage that was owned and occupied by Lewis Garrard from 1862-1870. It was gratifying to see these historic homes being restored.
The group walked along Garrard Avenue taking in the splendor the original homes that were built here in the late 18th century; St. Hubert Lodge and the Winona Cottage built by Israel Garrard. Both homes are in great shape and still speak to the era they were built in.
Wednesday July 8 the WLP group walk explored the historic sites of Center and Oak Streets with Anne Tabot as their guide.
On July 15 the WLP group will carpool to Red Wing and visit Memorial Park that offers a bluff view of Red Wing, Mn and the Mississippi River Valley. The WLP walkers will meet at 6:30 at the Ohuta Beach Parking lot to carpool to Red Wing. All are welcome. Updates regarding weather can be found on the Walking Lake Pepin Facebook page.
Photo: Decotah Cottage

Walking the historic Jewel Nursery site never disappoints.

6/28/2026

The Jewel Nursery property is a traditional yearly site for the Walking Lake Pepin group walk. Wednesday, June 24, the weather was perfect and the walk along Clubhouse Drive was a scenic route to savor the beautiful landscape that was the historic Jewel Nursery.
Jim Schreck, who worked at the nursery in the 1960’s, led the group on the walk sharing the story of the founding of the nursery by Dr. Phineas Jewell with just 10 acres in 1868 to its most successful years covering 1,500 acres in 1923 under the leadership of J. M. Underwood.
Jim was able to share details about how the new varieties of apples were grafted, how tree seedlings were planted and harvested and ornamental scrubs were trimmed. Jim had a hand in doing all these jobs at the nursery.
At the end of the 1.5 mile walk the WLP group agreed, a walk in the “Jewel” never disappoints.
Wednesday, July 1, the WLP group schedule takes them to Old Frontenac to find out what’s new in this vintage community. What’s new will be shared in next week’s Graphic.
July 8, WLP will be back in Lake City for a historic walk on Center and Oak Streets led by Anne Tabat. Meet up for the walk on Wednesday, July 8 is at 6:30 at St. Mary’s parking lot.
Watch the WLP Facebook for updates due to weather conditions.

Sand Point Trail: A Walk in Nature

6/21/2026

In spite of a brief shower and some severe weather predictions before the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) weekly group walk, six walkers made the hike on the Sand Point Trail on June 17. There were a few puddles on the trail, but not enough to stop the group from making it to the sandy beach of Lake Pepin to enjoy the beauty of the lake at the end of the trail.
The trail was lush and green from recent rains. The canopy of trees and the thick trail side greenery surrounded the group with a kind of peace that only nature can offer.
A regular walking routine is known to have many benefits for health and wellness. Heart health, improved lung function and a reduction in obesity and diabetes are some of the proven benefits of walking and all kinds of physical activity.
Recent studies have also proven that time in nature has added health benefits. Studies suggest that time in nature lowers cortisol levels, which relieves stress, resulting in improved mental health. Time in nature has also demonstrated improvement in memory, cognitive flexibility and attention.
A 2025 Pew Research Center report revealed that 9 of 10 U.S. adults say they are online every day. Fifteen percent of those 65 and older report they are on the internet constantly while 18 to 29 year olds (62%) are reporting being online constantly.
https://growingfamily.co.uk/exploring-nature/nature-walking-games/
Finding green space to walk in, whether at a city park, a local campground, a state park trail or along a river bank will reduce stress, improve your thinking skills and most likely bring some added happiness to the day.
All community residents are invited to join the weekly WLP group walk on Wednesday evening July 1 at 6:30 pm. The group will take a walk in Old Frontenac and share some of the history of this special place where time has stood still.
Walkers will meet at 6:30 pm on Wells Street, which is off Garrard Ave (Goodhue County 2). Updates and changes to the walk schedule due to weather can be found on the Walking Lake Pepin Facebook page.

Hok-si-la Park Group Walk, first of the WLP season

6/11/2026

Last night" Mother Nature" blessed WLP with a steamy but storm free night for WLP's first group walk of the season. 13 walkers showed up to hear Ann Nibbe give a well-researched and informative presentation about the history of Hok-si-la Park. Its history includes everything from a temperance colony, an upscale resort, fish and fox farms, Boy Scout camp and in the end thankfully landing in the hands of the Lake City community for all of us to enjoy.
The group walked the downstream loop at the park stopping off at the Frank and Yavonne Memorial Bench to pay respects and remember Frank's life message,
"The sun is shining, the birds are singing, it's a great day to be alive!" Frank you are missed.
The walk continued with a search for the eagle's nest on the far side of the loop. In spite of the leaves, we were able to see the nest though no eagles were in it to greet us.
It was a fun night gathering with "walking" friends and being able to walk at the true "Jewel" of Lake City, Hok-si-la Park.
Next Wednesday we hope to walk the Sandy Point Trail if the mosquitoes aren't too bad. Meet up 6:30 at the wayside rest on Hwy 61 and Goodhue County 2, (the road to the Villa Maria)
All are welcome. Bring a friend.
Watch here on Facebook for updates.

Author

I'm Patty Svien and I started Walking Lake Pepin as a part of my Graduate studies in 2008. This is the 13th year that our grassroots committee has promoted this event to raise awareness of the health benefits of walking. We hope you join us again this year or sign up for the first time and enjoy the beautiful surrounding of Lake City as you commit to Active Living and a healthy lifestyle.

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