Austin Mill Pond’s small island recently named for one of Austin’s “Pillars of the City”

Austin Mill Pond’s small island was recently named in honor of Lyman Barid, one of Austin’s “Pillars of the City” who spearheaded the effort starting back in 1905 to turn the swampland backwaters of the Austin Mill Pond into a large park.  KAUS News spoke with Tim Ruzek, Water Plan and Outreach Coordinator with the Mower SWCD and the CRWD who stated that Barid has long been considered one of Austin’s most helpful citizens….

Ruzek went on to talk about how the process of naming the island in honor of Barid began in 2019…

Baird’s plaque, added two years ago by the city is on Austin’s North Main flood wall just west of the island.  The naming of the island in honor of Barid received previous approval from the CRWD’s Citizens Advisory Committee and the local planning committee for Austin’s hosting of the We Are Water Minnesota state-wide traveling exhibit in 2019.