VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) — The new manager of the Valley City National Fish Hatchery is working to make the federal facility a recreational destination.

28 year old Kurt Eversman, has been managing the hatchery northwest of Valley City since March.

He says, “This is federal property and people should be able to come and enjoy it. I would like to see people on the property.”

The Valley City National Fish Hatchery atracting people from Valley City and the surrounding area include expanding the fishing pond now restricted to people 12 and younger to people 18 and younger along with senior citizens.

Eversman said he plans to replace the pond’s fishing pier with track decking, and the park benches need to be replaced. He also wants to add a simple hiking trail, plant patches of wildflowers and build an archery range.

Eversman has been working with Girl Scouts from an adjoining camp to construct the two-mile hiking trail, complete with bird blinds and suitable habitat.

Eversman also plans to begin an archery program. He has the bows and is seeking people to train as instructors. He also is thinking of adding a ninehole disc golf course to the site.