The trails at Butterfield Forrest are now open to the public, PenMet Parks announced in a release Oct. 21.
Spanning 21 acres adjacent to Sehmel Homestead Park, the forest (spelled “Forrest” after Forrest Butterfield, the former property owner’s father) provides space for hikers to explore a salmon-bearing stream, wetland and meadow areas.
The park district acquired the property last year with the aid of Great Peninsula Conservancy, a regional land trust, which purchased the property for just over $1.2 million and transferred ownership to PenMet Parks, The News Tribune reported. Previously, private property owner Larry Butterfield managed the land for nearly 30 years. Together with Sehmel Homestead Park, the area exceeds a combined 100 acres of protected land…