A long talked about and planned project to improve the Grand Marais Recreational Park public water access found some new energy and direction after a meeting with three Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials on August 13.
Joe Russell, DNR Trails and Waterways area manager, Kent Skaar, DNR acquisition and development section lead, and Larry Killien, DNR Harbors Program, met with Grand Marais Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, City Councilor Dave Mills, Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg, Jim Boyd, executive director of Cook County Chamber of Commerce, Judy Erickson, lobbyist on behalf of the chamber, and Bev Green, volunteer for Arrowhead Animal Rescue.
Plans have been in the works since 2012 to make improvements to the rubble mound breakwall, boat landing, public parking lot, picnic area, and find a new home for the animal shelter as well as remove the city’s garage.
There has also been some discussion about adding a public restroom that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act criteria, a new fish cleaning station and make a place for kayaks to safely land.
In 2014 the city asked the DNR to come up with plans to develop a breakwall for launch and haul-out of boats up to 40 feet long, and they also asked the DNR to see if floating wave attenuators (which would act as a break wall) would work in place of the current rubble mound breakwall.
“The DNR deemed it [floating wave attenuators] unfeasible, given the large peak wave periods experienced on Lake Superior,” said Tersteeg.
In response to the city’s wishes the DNR presented three options for a rubble mound breakwall. Option two was selected by the group because it would develop a basin and breakwall that would accommodate 35-38- foot boats. Estimated cost for the work is $936,000.
To offset the cost the city has decided to pursue state bonding money, which would supplement any public water access funds available for this job. Erickson will present this project to officials taking part in the state bonding tour that will take place September 16 at Split Rock Lighthouse. The goal is to have a bill written in support of the funds and submitted into the 2016 bonding bill and, hopefully passed by the Minnesota State Legislature.
All told it is estimated that the total cost of the city’s parkside public access improvements will cost between $1.9 to $2.1 million.
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