Frequently Asked Questions

Here's some of our frequently asked questions. If you have a question, please click here to send us an email or call us at 1-800-990-7446.

Any interesting facts about Walker Lake Preserve?
How did this development start?
What are the benefits of a common interest community?
Doesn't a common interest community cost more?
Can I camp on my lot?
Do I need to build right away?
What schools and churches are nearby?
Who provides local services?
What else is there to do nearby?
How are boat slips managed?
When will the road be paved?
How do I get into Otter Tail Lake?
Can I build an outbuilding?
Is there going to be a pool?
Who owns the lakeshore?
Who maintains the homes?
What do my general association dues pay for?
Who runs the various associations?
What supporting documents do you have?

What are some interesting facts about Walker Lake Preserve?

Weather forecast for Amor

    Amor, MN ZIP Code: 56515
    Central Time: (GMT-6, DST=GMT-5)
    Coordinates: 46.41 & -95.74

Lake Info
DNR Information on Walker Lake
Development Size

    78 Acres with 44 Acres (57%) Open Space

Property Use

    Single-Family, Restricted

Governing Body

    Property Owners Association

Maintenance Fee

    Set by Property Owners Association

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How did this development start?

    Our families grew up on Walker Lake. We wanted to save the lake and let others to share this treasure in an environmentally friendly way.

    We love Walker Lake! Our families have lived on Walker Lake for four generations. We heard a big company wanted to come in and spoil the lake with an excessive development. The best regional environmental minds were consulted on ways to preserve habitat, fishing and views. The result is a low-impact, natural community for 34 lucky families. We donated over 1/2 mile of shoreline as a conservation easement to the MN-DNR and sold another piece of land to the fisheries department. This resulted in 1-1/2 miles of preserved wildlife and fish habitat.

    You can own a share of 3,400 feet of protected shoreline with more to do than other lake property owners. Want to swim? Choose from two beaches. Take a leisurely walk with minimal traffic. Play ball or practice golf in the playfield. Picnic in a private park. Go fishing while others maintain your yard.

    Sharing amenities gives you better choices for less. Small bare lots on Otter Tail Lake can cost over $300,000. Get a complete home and room to roam at Walker Lake Preserve for less money. Then buy a boat with the money left over and cruise into Otter Tail Lake. Do you enjoy your privacy? Do you like nature? Walker Lake Preserve is the place for you. If you’re looking for a better life, you’ve found it. We think you’ll love Walker Lake too!

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What are the benefits of a common interest community?

    More To Do.   Less Work For You!

    Get more amenities like walking trails, playfield, beaches, and a picnic area. You can elect to have your home maintained so you have more free time. You can enjoy your time at the lake. With shared amenities you get more choices for little added expense.

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Doesn't living in a common interest community cost more with the dues?

    There are property tax savings that offset a significant portion of the homeowner association dues.

    The property owners association owns the lakeshore and amenities. Each property owner has a proportional interest in the homeowners association. The assessed value on your home is less since you don't directly own the lakeshore. The amount of the savings will vary depending on each situation, but can be hundreds of dollars annually.

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What schools and churches are nearby?

Public Schools
Private Schools
Congregations

    St John's Lutheran - Ottertail
    United Methodist - Perham
    Zion Lutheran (ELCA) - Amor
    Basswood Baptist - Richville
    Grace Lutheran - Henning
    United Methodist - Henning
    St Paul's Lutheran - Henning
    St James Catholic - Underwood
    Tingvold Lutheran - Underwood
    Trefoldighed Lutheran - Battle Lake
    Eagle Lake Lutheran - Battle Lake
    St John Lutheran Missouri - Wadena
    Southbrook Baptist - Wadena
    Messiah Lutheran (ELCA) - Wadena
    Zion Free Lutheran - Wadena
    United Methodist - Richville
    First Baptist - Henning

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Who provides local services?

Hospital
Fire

    Ottertail and Battle Lake Volunteer

Utilities
Tax Authorities

    State of Minnesota
    Ottertail County
    Battle Lake Independent School District #542
    Amor Township

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What else is there to do nearby?

Amenities

    Nature Areas
    Walking/Skiing Trails
    Two Beaches
    3,400 Feet Common Shoreline
    Picnic Area
    Large Play Field
    Golf Practice Area

Other Recreation
Restaurants

    Over 50 within 15 Miles

Golf
Local Links
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How are boat slips managed?

    There are 28 boat slips available. Each Property Owner may purchase an annual permit to one or more boat slips. A special assessment of this limited common element is assessed to cover the reserves for about 40 feet of dock. Permits retain seniority rights from year to year. If the permit is released, the permit owner will receive back the depreciated value of the reserves if the someone else purchases the slip permit within three years of release. If and when the slip owner desires electrical service, the cost of the connecting electric service to the nearest access point is also paid. Electricity can be used for battery charging and other occasional use such as lights. Always-on or solar-activated lights are not allowed on slips without home owner association permission. The home owners association will charge a flat fee for the seasonal use of electricity which is currently set at $20 per year. Slip owner provide their own boat lift and canopy. Lifts must be in good repair and canopies must be the "see-through" design that are open at both ends. Slip owners pay an annual maintenance charge that recovers the cost of dock and lift in/out, reserves, dock repair and maintenance. The rules and regulations has the complete set of rules on boat slips.

When will the road be paved?

    The summer after 18 units are sold, or sooner if elected by the developer, the road will be paved to county standards for a township road. Preserve Drive will become a public road dedicated to Amor Township.

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Can I camp on my lot?

    Camping or living in temporary quarters on your lot is allowed under some situations. You can camp for extended periods while your dwelling is under construction. Up to two vehicles may be parked on a lot outside a garage in an area screened from view. Any trailer or dwelling not permanently attached to the ground must be of recent construction and maintained in good repair. Recreation Camping Units (RCU's) are permitted under Otter Tail County Shoreland management Ordinance, "A recreational camping unit, for dwelling purposes, may be placed on a lot, without a Site Permit on a temporary basis, not to exceed 22 days per year, provided it is compliant with all setback requirements, there are no sewer or water connections, and that it is the only dwelling unit onsite." Site permits must be obtained for RCU's that exceed these standards.

Do I need to build right away?

    Once a home is started, it must be completed within one year. You do not need to start right away. We do not want partially done dwellings to be a long term problem.

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How do I get into Otter Tail Lake?

    Access to Otter Tail is provided through the Dead River on the SE corner of Walker Lake. The water level in the channel fluctuates with lake levels. Navigation through this channel is best done with a shallow drafting boat such as a Shallow V Outboard or High Floatation Pontoon Boat. Boats with inboard motors will not work well. Most Inboard/Outboards and Deep V boats will experience problems in low water. You must pass under a bridge on County Road 1 which provides about 6' of clearance.

    The Dead River channel has a sandy bottom and is lined with cattails on the north side of County Road 1. The shallowest point of the access is about 100 feet into Otter Tail Lake where a sand bar will build up depending on wind and current.

    Most years, Otter tail can be easily accessed in the spring time and through late June. During the later summer months, you may have to get out and push your boat across the sand bar as the water may be less than 1 foot deep. However, the water is warm and if you enjoy lake living, it is not a major inconvenience to wade a little. Most years you can use the river access all summer. However, sometimes the water level drops to a point where the lakes are landlocked. If so, there are a number of accesses to Otter Tail within a few miles.

    Davis Lake can be also accessed from the Dead River flowing into Walker Lake on the NW corner by canoe or flat-bottomed boat by anyone who enjoys an adventure.

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Who owns the lakeshore?

    All 3,400 feet of lakeshore in Walker Lake Preserve is owned by the property owners association. The walking trails, beaches and marina are all on commonly owned property.

Who maintains the homes?

    Town homes and Twin home form a limited common element to maintain their dwellings and the surrounding property.

    Single family homes are maintained by the property owner. They can get a maintenance agreement with the property owners association to maintain their property for lawn mowing, landscaping, snow removal and exterior maintenance.

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Can I build an outbuilding?

    Subject to any necessary County approval, no more than one large outbuilding or detached garage not to exceed two thousand four hundred (2,400) square feet and one small outbuilding not to exceed two hundred sixty (260) square feet shall be constructed on a single dwelling lot or on twin dwelling lots. All outbuildings (including detached garages) shall be designed to be architecturally compatible to the dwelling(s) on the lot. There is no maximum size on the attached garage except there is a generous limit on the maximum impervious surface on each lot.

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Is there going to be a pool?

    A pool may be built. After 18 units are sold there will be a vote of the owners whether to build a pool next to the pavilion. If it is agreed, then a special assessment to each lot will be made to cover the cost of construction and dues will increase to cover the additional costs.

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What do my general association dues pay for?

    Many expense you'd normally pay separately! Well and septic maintenance, normal household garbage, common area mowing, trail maintenance, common tree pruning, equipment leasing and maintenance, restroom and common ground cleaning, pool maintenance (if approved by owners), common snow removal, private road maintenance, supplies, reserves, common electricity, bookkeeping, accounting, legal, insurance, management and annual meeting expense.

    Each property owner pays a pro-rated share of the total actual expense. Dues for the general association in 2008 are set at $47 per month. Dues will increase if the pool is built to cover the additional maintenance, utilities, chemicals and insurance expense.

    All property owners belong to the general association. Property owners in the six-unit town home are in another limited common element that covers their unique maintenance and upkeep costs. Boat slip owners are in another limited common element. Single family and twin home owners may belong to a third limited common element that covers their unique maintenance and upkeep costs. Dues for the limit common elements that property owners may belong to have not been set.

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Who runs the various associations?

    Each property owner has a vote on the board directors. The board appoints the architectural control committee. Details on terms and rules are available on request.

What detailed legal and supporting documents do you have?

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