It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Silver Lake Veterans' Memorial in Silver Lake, MN gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Silver Lake, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Silver Lake Beach Park in Silver Lake, MN with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Molly's Cafe or visit Silver Lake Auditorium, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Silver Lake, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Silver Lake, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Silver Lake, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A project to replace the Silver Lake Dam and to implement other changes to the waterway has cleared its final government hurdle.See Also: Victim of Fatal Rochester-Area ATV Crash Identified The plans call for replacing the Silver Lake Dam with a series of cascading pools, modifying the lake’s southern shore line and dredging the lake.Crews will also be installing a pedestrian/biking bridge pier east of North Broadway Ave. and adding a biking/walking path along the nort...
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A project to replace the Silver Lake Dam and to implement other changes to the waterway has cleared its final government hurdle.
See Also: Victim of Fatal Rochester-Area ATV Crash Identified
The plans call for replacing the Silver Lake Dam with a series of cascading pools, modifying the lake’s southern shore line and dredging the lake.
Crews will also be installing a pedestrian/biking bridge pier east of North Broadway Ave. and adding a biking/walking path along the north shore of the lake.
The Rochester City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to award a $18,937,132.74 contract to St. Michael, MN-based Rachel Contracting, LLC to make the modifications.
Councilmember Andy Friederichs was the lone nay vote.
Monday night’s agenda item indicates the work is scheduled to start on Monday, October 12.
The project was originally scheduled to begin last year but was held up by state and federal permitting delays, which forced the City of Rochester to cancel its effort to obtain bids.
An estimate provided to the Rochester City Council last year indicated the modification work would cost $15.1 million. A new estimate given prior to Monday night’s vote gave the project a $20,988,366.05 price tag.
Funding for the project is made up of $2.68 million in state funding, $3,009,727 in funds from Rochester Public Utilities, $11,092,877.57 from the 1982 and 1989 Flood Control Funds and $4,327,828.98 from the Stormwater Utility.
Earlier this year, a Heritage Preservation Commission Decision to grant the project a Certificate of Appropriateness was appealed by two members of the community group Friends of Silver Lake.
The Rochester City Council voted to reject the appeal on a 5-1 vote.
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council has rejected an appeal that would’ve halted an overhaul of the Silver Lake dam and parts of the lake’s shoreline.See Also: Iowa Man Sentenced for Quarry Hill Park Shooting David Morrill and Greg Munson, who are members of the neighborhood group “Friends of Silver Lake” and own property adjacent to the park were the appellants.They argued the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) did not follow city procedure an...
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester City Council has rejected an appeal that would’ve halted an overhaul of the Silver Lake dam and parts of the lake’s shoreline.
See Also: Iowa Man Sentenced for Quarry Hill Park Shooting
David Morrill and Greg Munson, who are members of the neighborhood group “Friends of Silver Lake” and own property adjacent to the park were the appellants.
They argued the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) did not follow city procedure and did not have a public hearing on the issue, resulting in a decision that “did not fully consider the effect of the work on the eligibility of Silver Lake for the National Register of Historic Places,” the agenda item says.
A city staff review of the appeal found the HPC followed the city’s Unified Development code in issuing the certificate of Appropriateness.
Staff also determined no public hearing was required prior to the decision and that board members allowed for public comments during the meeting. The project landed on the commission's docket due to Silver Lake Park being declared a Historic Landmark by the City in 2023.
Read More: Rochester HPC Backs Silver Lake Dam Project
The elected leaders voted 5-1 to reject the appeal. Councilmember Andy Friederichs was the lone nay vote. Friends of Silver Lake ground member and Councilmember Shaun Palmer abstained from the vote.
Proposed changes to the park include construction of a new bridge for the surrounding bike and walking path that will be built east of the North Broadway Ave. crossing.
Also included in the plans are construction of a new bike and walking path on the north shore of the lake and modifications to the shoreline on the southeastern shore of the lake.
The changes would result in five acres of the lake being altered.
The HPC unanimously approved the Certificate of Appropriateness in July, citing a review stating “the proposed undertaking will result in no adverse effect on historic properties," according to the agenda item.
City staff indicated Wednesday that bidding for the project is underway with a council vote to approve a project contract set to happen later this Fall.
The work is slated to start later this year when water levels drop enough for crews to begin dredging the lake.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KIMT) — A proposal to modify the Silver Lake Dam has sparked a passionate debate in Rochester, with city officials describing the project as a long-term investment in recreation, environmental restoration and flood control, while opponents argue it would permanently alter one of the city's most recognizable landmarks for benefits they say have not been proven.The proposal, known as the Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification Project, would replace the existing low-head dam with an upstream water contr...
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KIMT) — A proposal to modify the Silver Lake Dam has sparked a passionate debate in Rochester, with city officials describing the project as a long-term investment in recreation, environmental restoration and flood control, while opponents argue it would permanently alter one of the city's most recognizable landmarks for benefits they say have not been proven.
The proposal, known as the Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification Project, would replace the existing low-head dam with an upstream water control structure and construct a series of engineered rock arch rapids where the current dam now stands. The broader project also includes removing sediment from the flood-control channel, improving trails around the lake and eventually adding a pedestrian bridge near Broadway Avenue. According to city planning documents, the redesign is intended to maintain Silver Lake's water level while reconnecting the South Fork Zumbro River to allow fish passage and provide a continuous paddling route between the lake and river.
Deputy Director of Environmental Services Aaron Luckstein said the proposal is designed to accomplish much more than creating a whitewater recreation feature.
"We've been very intentional about bringing forth components of this project that really maximize the benefit to residents," Luckstein said. "Both from a recreational standpoint, a public safety standpoint, environmental improvements as well, and the fiscal responsibility piece."
Luckstein said communities that have installed similar rock arch rapids have seen increased recreational use because paddlers are no longer stopped by a dam and can travel freely between lakes and rivers. He also disputed concerns that maintenance would become more difficult, saying the redesigned channel would include multiple access points that would make it easier for city crews to remove logs and debris than is possible with the current structure.
Another key goal of the project is restoring aquatic connectivity. City officials say replacing the existing barrier with a fish passage would allow native fish and freshwater mussels to move naturally through the river system while reconnecting miles of habitat currently fragmented by low-head dams. Project documents describe the Silver Lake modification as an important first step in a broader effort to improve the ecological health of the South Fork Zumbro River.
Not everyone believes those benefits outweigh what Rochester could lose.
Craig Ugland, a member of the Save the Dam at Silver Lake group, said preserving the existing dam is essential to maintaining the character of one of Rochester's oldest parks.
"Our goal is to keep Silver Lake the size that it is," Ugland said. "The dam is critical to that."
Ugland said his group believes the city is removing infrastructure that still has useful life remaining while replacing it with a project that primarily serves a relatively small number of whitewater enthusiasts.
"You're going to remove five acres of flat water area," he said, "for whitewater rapids that may appease a few dozen people two or three months out of the year."
Supporters of the proposal disagree with that assessment, arguing the project expands recreation rather than replacing it by creating new opportunities for kayakers and canoeists while also improving trail connections and public access around Silver Lake.
Historic preservation has also become a focal point of the debate. Ugland points to language presented during historic preservation reviews describing the dam's presence as a defining feature of Silver Lake Park and questions why it should be removed if it contributes to the park's historic identity.
Luckstein said those concerns were carefully considered throughout the planning process. According to him, the project underwent state, federal and local historic preservation reviews, all of which concluded the work would not adversely affect protected historic resources. He added that while Silver Lake Park itself carries historic significance, the dam is not individually designated as a historic structure and the project was modified to preserve as much of the lake's historic character as possible. City officials also note the redesign minimizes the reduction in lake area and includes shoreline improvements intended to offset some of those impacts.
The proposal has also generated disagreement over environmental impacts. While city officials argue the fish passage would restore movement for native species without creating significant concerns about invasive species, opponents believe the existing dam serves as an important barrier that helps prevent organisms such as zebra mussels and invasive carp from moving farther upstream.
Safety is another issue viewed differently by each side. Low-head dams are widely recognized for their dangerous hydraulic currents, but Ugland argues modifications made decades ago improved conditions at Silver Lake and notes there have been no drownings at the structure. He questions whether encouraging whitewater recreation ultimately increases risk rather than reducing it. City officials maintain the project addresses aging infrastructure while providing broader public benefits through improved recreation, environmental restoration and flood-control improvements.
Maintenance has likewise become a point of contention. Ugland argues the existing dam allows debris to collect in one accessible location where it can be removed by heavy equipment. Luckstein said the opposite is true, explaining that maintenance crews currently face challenges accessing debris caught on the dam and that the redesigned channel would provide multiple access points that simplify routine cleanup.
The project has steadily advanced through Rochester's planning and permitting process. According to Luckstein, all major permits have been obtained except the final permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The city has also secured millions of dollars in state funding to support habitat restoration and fish passage associated with the project, while the City Council has continued advancing engineering and construction planning.
As Rochester moves closer to a final decision, the debate reflects two competing visions for the future of Silver Lake. City leaders see an opportunity to modernize aging infrastructure, reconnect the river and expand recreation while improving long-term maintenance and environmental conditions. Opponents believe the existing dam remains a defining feature of the park and should be preserved until replacement is truly necessary.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KIMT) - The Friends of Silver Lake group has appealed a Rochester Historic Preservation Commission decision approving the removal of the Silver Lake Dam and major changes to Silver Lake Park.The group filed the appeal challenging the commission's July 28 approval. Friends members say they believe the commission failed to hold a required public meeting under the city's development code, limiting residents' opportunity to speak directly to commissioners before the decision.Members of the Friends leadership team ...
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KIMT) - The Friends of Silver Lake group has appealed a Rochester Historic Preservation Commission decision approving the removal of the Silver Lake Dam and major changes to Silver Lake Park.
The group filed the appeal challenging the commission's July 28 approval. Friends members say they believe the commission failed to hold a required public meeting under the city's development code, limiting residents' opportunity to speak directly to commissioners before the decision.
Members of the Friends leadership team said the group filed the appeal within days of the commission's decision and paid a $510 appeal fee out of their own pockets.
"We've always felt that there hasn't been a lot of public involvement, opportunities for the public to talk about it, to understand what's happening, to voice their opinions," Friends Leadership member Dave Morrill said.
The appeal will require the Rochester City Council to hold a public hearing on Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. during its regular council meeting.
Friends members said the hearing gives the group another opportunity to bring residents together and voice concerns about the project.
"The appeal process involves a public hearing at the council," Morrill said. "So we decided we'd like to appeal it because we can then invite our friends, other people in the community that feel similar to us, that this is a historic treasure in our town."
The Friends of Silver Lake describes itself as an informal group of Rochester residents working to preserve the historic character of Silver Lake Park. Members said they have several hundred names on their contact list and believe the broader number of residents who oppose changes to the lake could be in the thousands.
The proposed Silver Lake Sediment Removal and Dam Modification Project would remove the existing low-head dam and replace it with an upstream water-control structure and a series of engineered rock arch rapids.
The broader project also includes sediment removal from the flood-control channel, trail improvements around Silver Lake and eventually a pedestrian bridge near Broadway Avenue.
City officials have said the project is intended to provide several benefits, including improved recreation, flood control and environmental restoration. The redesigned area would also allow fish passage and reconnect the South Fork Zumbro River.
Friends members argue the project would permanently alter Silver Lake Park, which is designated as a local landmark.
One of the group's primary concerns is the loss of several acres of the lake.
"Our concern is the change in the park and the lake," Morrill said. "We're altering some four to five acres of the lake, which is a defining characteristic of the park."
The member said the lake was created in the 1930s to provide recreation for Rochester residents and argued that losing part of the lake would change one of the park's defining features.
"The dam creates the lake," said Morrill. "The dam may not be historic, but certainly something here to create the lake is."
The Friends also alleges that city staff have provided inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information to residents and the City Council over the course of the project's development.
One member said the group has identified roughly 10 examples of what it considers problematic information.
Among the group's concerns are statements it says the city has made about the dam's original purpose, age and safety.
Friends members dispute the city's characterization of the dam as unsafe and argue the structure has operated for decades without the types of incidents they say would demonstrate an immediate safety threat.
The group also questions statements that the dam is nearing the end of its useful life.
"There's many more concerns, but those are some of the more glaring ones that jump out," said Friends Leadership member Greg Munson.
The members said they plan to discuss their concerns about the city's information and the historic preservation process during the Sept. 9 public hearing.
"We'd like to see them, number one, go back to the community and get more input from the community, be more open, more understanding of the true facts," Munson said.
City officials previously told KIMT the Silver Lake project has gone through state, federal and local historic preservation reviews.
Officials said those reviews concluded the project would not adversely affect protected historic resources.
City officials have also said the existing dam presents safety and maintenance concerns and that replacing it with a redesigned water-control structure would provide environmental and recreational benefits.
The city has described the project as more than a whitewater recreation project, pointing to fish passage, flood-control improvements, trail connections and other changes intended to provide long-term benefits to the community.
The Friends disagrees with the city's assessment and says it has offered to work with city officials on alternatives.
"We've offered to sit down with the city many times to try and look over some options and things we've proposed," said Morrill.
The Friends of Silver Lake is asking residents who share its concerns to attend the Sept. 9 City Council meeting and participate in the public hearing.
The group is also planning a rally in the Chamber Rotunda at 5:30 p.m., before the council meeting.
Members said their preferred outcome would be for the city to slow the process, gather more public input and consider additional information and alternatives before moving forward.
"We would just like to see them say: 'Well, maybe we should slow down a little bit here and just wait for a little more information'." Munson said.
The group also says the final cost of the project remains a concern and wants residents and council members to have a clearer understanding of the project's eventual price.
The City Council will have the opportunity to consider the appeal during the Sept. 9 public hearing.
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