Plans to create a paved boat launch and parking lot in the southwest corner of the Grand Marais harbor are progressing after several years of discussion between the Grand Marais Recreation Area and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). At the July 3 Grand Marais Park Board meeting, Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg said the DNR wants to transfer its involvement in the Grand Marais harbor from the boat launch by the Coast Guard station to the new location.
The current boat launch was built by the DNR in the 1980s under an agreement that the city would maintain the launch and the parking area for 25 years. The parking area was intended for vehicles with boat trailers, but it has been largely used as a general parking lot.
Manager Tersteeg and City Councilor/park board member Bill Lenz have been working with the DNR on a design for the new launch area. Tersteeg said the plan is to include vault toilets and an aquatic invasive species wash station and possibly a deep-water launch, a boat lift, and an area for boat storage. The parking lot would have an asphalt surface, which would be the easiest way to direct and filter storm water before it enters Lake Superior, he said.
Bill Lenz said getting into a big boat after launching is difficult with the current DNR boat launch. Implementing the DNR’s plan would require removing the city garages and the dog pound, he said, but this would make better use of the land and reduce unnecessary traffic through the recreation area. The board discussed the possibility of the DNR doing as much of the project as possible before the city buildings are removed.
Lenz also said the DNR thinks placing an events pavilion in that part of the park as outlined in the Master Plan would leave too little room for parking. Tersteeg said one DNR employee suggested building an events pavilion between the end of Broadway and the Coast Guard station. It would be near shops, hotels, and restaurants and would have adequate parking. Tracy Benson said they cannot ignore the Master Plan since so much public input went into it.
Paul Anderson said they had envisioned an entity other than the park board — such as a private business or the city— funding an events pavilion. Bill Lenz said he would never vote for an events pavilion if it were not going to be an asset to the business community.
The board unanimously passed a motion to pass the project to the city council for negotiation with the DNR and to support an events pavilion in an alternative location.
Paul Anderson suggested that a fishing derby would be a good event for the city once the new boat launch is in place. Manager Tersteeg said the third weekend in July would be a good time to have one because Grand Marais has no other major event then. Tracy Benson said that fishing equipment companies make great sponsors for events like that.
Music in the park
The board passed a motion approving a permit application musicians must submit if they want to accept payment or donations for performing music in Grand Marais parks. The North Shore Music Association will administer the permits and handle scheduling. Musicians must also pay $100 to the City of Grand Marais for a peddler’s permit.
Campground report
Visitors have been flocking to Grand Marais to escape the heat in other places. All monthly trailer sites are taken for July and August.
Golf course report
Gunflint Hills Golf Course is doing well. Manager Mike Kunshier reported that memberships are up 7 percent over last year and year-to-date revenue is up 24 percent. This June brought in 32 percent more greens fees than last June, probably reflecting the cold June last year and the warm one this year.
Kunshier said they have had some unexpected equipment replacements this year. Manager Tersteeg reported that they are trying to “strike a deal” with the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission for the city’s old pickup.
Pool report
The Grand Marais Municipal Pool was busy in the days before the Fourth of July, Head Lifeguard Charles Christiansen reported. The whirlpool jets that had been down were back up and running with a new and bigger motor costing about $1,000 including labor.
“I wish we’d get some of that 1 percent [sales tax] money and rebuild the pool,” Chair Walt Mianowski said. City Councilor Bill Lenz reminded him that the board cannot discuss a pool project until its legal issues with Burbach Aquatics are resolved. The city entered an agreement to use Burbach’s services in 2006 but then never pursued rehabbing or rebuilding its pool, but Burbach is claiming the contract is still in effect.
Marina/mooring report
Manager Tersteeg said numerous people have rented out moorings this year but are not using them. “As always, we get these dreamers who go boat shopping and put their money down but don’t buy a boat,” he said. The city can rent those spots out when they are not being used.
Tersteeg said most people who do have a boat don’t use their moorings until after the Fourth of July.
The new docks installed last summer are working well for boaters. A couple of shallow spots in the marina are marked with buoys to prevent boats from going aground.
Dog pound
The board talked about the city’s intention to relocate the dog pound to a spot near the Recycling Center, noting that the dogs and cats confined in the current building cannot see out the window. They agreed that it is not a nice place. But they have broken the rules! Manager Tersteeg said.
“My dog has been in there three times and she doesn’t care!” said Tracy Benson.
“The room service is terrible,” Tersteeg said, but that does not seem to be a deterrent for repeat offenders.
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