Return to Archived Stories

In 2000, Paynesville Township took over County Road 124 from Stearns County and renamed it Old Lake Road. The road was widened in the fall of 2001 and given a final coat of tar in 2002. A dedication was held in May 2002.

The first segment of the Lake Koronis Recreational Trail, along Old Lake Road, was dedicated in July 2002.

The first half mile of trail was dedicated to the late Richard Mathiowetz, who helped provide the initial idea for a trail. "It was Richard's vision. I'm sure he's looking down today and very happy," said Mary Lou Mathiowetz, Richard's widow, and a summer resident on Lake Koronis for 30 years. The trail committee is still working on connecting the trail from the city of Paynesville to this segment on Old Lake Road. Last spring, $365,000 in state funding was passed in a bonding bill to build the trail from Paynesville to Lake Koronis, but this funding was vetoed by Governor Jesse Ventura.

Still, Paynesville Township is planning to redo portions of Crest Ridge Road, NW Koronis Road, and Breezewood Road in 2003 and are looking at including a pedestrian trail in that project.

(Editor's Note: the Press has identified these 12 stories as the top news in the Paynesville area for 2002. For the top accomplishments in sports, see the 2002 sports review.)