Katie and her partner Michael kayaking.

Katie and her partner, Michael, kayaking.

Interview with Katie McCoid
Landmark has provided assistance to the Grindstone Lake Foundation in their pursuit to purchase and protect a 57-acre property with a former cranberry bog in Sawyer County. Katie McCoid is a Grindstone Lake Foundation board member. We interviewed her about her love for Grindstone Lake and what’s at risk if the bog is not protected.
How long have you been going to Grindstone Lake? 

My family will be celebrating our 50th year on Grindstone next year! We’re three generations enjoying this beautiful lake.

What compelled you to serve on the board of the Grindstone Lake Foundation? 

My daily walks are to the boat landing that shares an eastern border with the cranberry bog. When the property was for sale, I thought about how much the landscape and lake would change if major development happened on the bog property. When the Foundation acquired the land, and I had an opportunity to help fundraise to pay back the loan from our lienholder, it was an easy decision. We all fight water quality in NW Wisconsin and I’m proud to have an opportunity to be a part of that.

Loon and baby.

Loon and baby.

Katie's nieces and nephews swimming.

Katie’s nieces and nephews swimming.

What’s your favorite thing to do at the cranberry bog? 

The bog’s shoreline view is one of my favorite views of the lake. My favorite things to do on Grindstone Lake are hanging out on the dock, listening to the loons and enjoying time with family. Swimming and playing in the water with my niece and nephews is a very close second.

Shoreline View

Shoreline View

Why is it important to protect the cranberry bog?

We have an opportunity to return 57 acres to its natural state as much as is possible. Developers have continued to have an interest in the land but have so far been hampered by DNR restrictions. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen in some form if we’re not successful in gaining clear title to the cranberry bog to secure its future and restoration. We’ve brainstormed ideas to offer shoreline conservation demos to property owners, create trails for recreation, provide opportunities for community education, and restore the wetlands. All of this has the potential to serve this community and this lake well into the future.

The Grindstone Lake Foundation was founded for the purpose of acquiring and rehabilitating a 57-acre tract of land – comprised predominantly of a cranberry bog – on the Grindstone Lake shoreline. Their mission is to steward the protection, restoration and preservation of the track to wetlands and create a community-supported nature area that is publicly accessible to Grindstone Lake residents and visitors. Thanks to a generous benefactor who provided financing for the acquisition, the property was purchased with the intent of avoiding future development.  The Grindstone Lake Foundation is working hard to pay back the benefactor. The Foundation has raised over half of what they need to purchase the Grindstone Lake Cranberry Bog. They recently received a matching grant to help them reach the finish line. Learn more about the Grindstone Lake Foundation and the cranberry bog at savethebog.org.