My mom and dad helped foster a deep sense of stewardship for the lake and the community through the many activities we participated in at the park and lake.

I was fortunate to be back in Cokato for National Night Out celebrating with my parents and their neighbors at Veteran’s Memorial Park with a wonderful potluck and many community members stopping by to speak to us.

One of those speakers was Ron Olson, vice president of the Brooks Lake Area Association (BLAA). Their mission is to promote and maintain the environment and recreation of Brooks Lake.

The BLAA has been doing water quality testing on the lake for over two years with the help of Minnesota Pollution Control, Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District and DNR. They are gathering baseline data by doing secchi disc readings for water clarity and collecting water samples to look at the chemical makeup of the lake.

These water samples are then sent to RMB labs for testing and cost an estimated $225 per year. I was thrilled that this group of citizens are passionate about helping to pinpoint the issues surrounding the lake’s health to bring it back to the vibrant swimming and fishing lake that I recall when I was young.

To me, Brooks Lake and the Veteran’s Memorial Park are an integral part of Cokato’s DNA. So many community members use the picnic shelter, playground, ball field and the lake. What an important resource this is to preserve.

I hope you will support their work by considering what chemicals you put on your lawns, driveways and down your drains or donating to help cover the costs of the work they are doing.

For further information visit their website www.brookslake.info or call Manda Goldsberry at (320) 286-2871.

There is no need to live with the green dog days of August; if we work together we can again have clear, clean water in Brooks Lake for your children and grandchildren.