The view is improved at the Lake Mallalieu Access

• Corky’s Pier

The fishing dock at the Lake Mallalieu Access is named Corky’s Pier. It honors the memory of the late Lawrence “Corky” Hope, a Department of Natural Resource game warden and one-time St. Croix County sheriff. Photo by Randy Hanson
• The Lake Mallalieu Access

The Lake Mallalieu Access provides the only public ramp for boaters to get onto the lake. The lake is actually a wide spot in the Willow River, created by a dam placed just upstream from where the Willow enters the St. Croix River. Photo by Randy Hanson

Talk about it

The Lake Mallalieu Access is more noticeable to passersby these days.

The dead trees and invasive brush that partially blocked the view of the access and the lake from Second Street have been removed. In their place are six newly planted native trees – willows, river birch and Norway spruce – along with a few willow bushes.

The city’s Public Works and Parks Department also installed a crushed limestone path to provide better access to Corky’s Pier, the fishing pier on the west side of the property.

Riprap was added to prevent erosion next to the boat ramp and around a storm sewer outlet.

“I’ve heard mostly positive comments (about the changes),” Public Works and Parks Director Tom Zeuli said. “A couple of people said, ‘What did you do that for?’”

He said one of the reasons for clearing out the brush was to make it easier to remove the fishing pier prior to the winter freeze.

The limestone path will make it easier for people in wheelchairs to use the fishing pier too, he said.

Zeuli said the project received support from the Lake Mallalieu Association, which donated money for new trees.

There are freshly painted parking spaces for six vehicles and boat trailers in the access parking lot.

Earlier this spring, the City Council made it illegal to park empty boat trailers on city streets.

Zeuli said the ban hasn’t drawn complaints so far. That could change when the boating season heats up. Empty trailers were often seen parked on Second Street next to the Lake Mallalieu Access during weekends last summer.

Corky’s Pier is named after the late Lawrence “Corky” Hope – a game warden, once St. Croix County sheriff and father of Willetta Breault, the wife of former Hudson mayor Jack Breault. The pier was installed in 2006.

Tags: north hudson, communities, outdoors