Joint Statement from Steven’s Point Association and the LLPOA

To: LLPOA Members

From: Steve Frazier, LLPOA Pres. and Gino Perrozzi, Steven’s Lone Lake Association President

Re: Use of the Buoyed Swimming Beach off of Steven’s Point Date: June 24, 2022

Gino Perrozzi, President of the Steven’s Lone Lake Association (SLLA), and Steve Frazier (LLPOA President) met on Sunday, June 12th to discuss the complaint relating to the use of sandbar and swimming beach that is buoyed off as a shallow water and swim area.

President Perrozzi was well aware of the situation having read Steve’s letter on behalf of the LLPOA.

Gino and Steve agreed at the outset that property rights end at the water’s edge but understand that all lakeshore owners feel protective of their beach, swim and dock areas. Gino and Steve also agreed that this issue (as in all issues) has more than one side and those mitigating circumstances can lead to frustration and conflict as in the case on Steven’s Point.

Gino, speaking on behalf of his association members, recounted a number of examples of abuses his association members have had to put up with over the years that has caused a “some of his members” to become intolerant with outside people coming to use the point swimming area . Their association also requires an adult/parent to accompany their children while at the swimming area. So then, here are some of the abuses SLLA members have had to endure from abusers:

  1. Trespassing onto the associations sand beach and shoreline.

  2. Leaving litter on the SLLA’s’s beach and in the water.

  3. Defecating on the beach.

  4. Parents dropping-off their children to swim while they cruise the lake leaving their children unattended.

  5. People going up to SLLA member’s cabins and asking to use their bathrooms.

  6. Theft and damage to SLLA property.

  7. Trespassing on SLLA member’s properties to access the swimming area.

  8. Boaters and jet skiers cutting through the swimmer area.

  9. People bringing their pets and allowing them to run free on SLLA property.

Gino explained that they have reported the more blatant offenses to the Sheriff’s Office for enforcement but it is still frustrating to his association members. Gino and Steve agreed that there is not an easy solution to this situation. Lone Lake’s water usage is open to the public. They both agreed to approach our members and urge them to be respectful, thoughtful and not disruptive to other lake owner’s property, docks and swim areas.

Gino recommended that there would be less conflict if:

  1. Use the Lone Lake Public Beach and swimming area

  2. Anchor boats off from the buoyed swim area so not to interfere with boat traffic or blocking SLLA member’s access to their docks and/or swimming beach.

  3. Not bring in lawn chairs and other water sports equipment into the swimming area.

  4. Stay off of the sandy beach above the water line as this is private property.

  5. Have parent supervision of children using the swimming area.

Gino met with the Aitkin County Sheriff on June 17th to discuss solutions to the problem. This is the plan developed with the Sheriff:

Steven’s Lone Lake Association (SLLA) will develop a swimming area following state law, at the point, with no boats nor other water craft allowed. The SLLA will place white markers following state guidelines defining the swimming area adjacent to the point for swimming only. The swimming area shall not exceed 2500 square feet and remains public waters. The SLLA will set up temporary markers until permanent markers can be purchased and installed. The sheriff department will come out and verify all the work completed meets requirements for the swimming area.

Both presidents agreed to share these thoughts with the two associations and understand that cooperation is the best tool in resolving these types of issue on Lone Lake.