Entry 92: Myre-Big Island State Park: Prairie Restoration, Glacial History & Outdoor Recreation in Minnesota
Myre Big Island State Park 19499 780th Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007 The story of Myre-Big Island State Park is a mix of nature’s ancient work and human efforts to protect it in the 20th century. The park’s roots stretch back over 10,000 years, shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age. As the glaciers moved across what is now Minnesota, they carved out large basins, which eventually filled with water when the ice melted, creating lakes like Albert Lea Lake. Big Island, the park's centerpiece, was formed during this glacial retreat, remaining a lush, wooded area surrounded by water. Over time, the surrounding land developed into a blend of marshes, wetlands, and prairies, enriched by the glacial soils, which now support the park's diverse ecosystems. Before Europeans arrived, Native American tribes, including the Dakota (Sioux) and Ojibwe (Chippewa), lived in this region. The Dakota, in particular, used the area for seasonal hunting and gathering, relying on the wildlife and resou...