Gitchi Gami Trail ribbon cutting ceremony held

Wielding scissors for the Gitchi-Gami Trail ribbon cutting ceremony held on Tuesday, June 14 at the Cutface Wayside Rest were from L-R: Olive Liu, DNR Parks and Trails, Bryan Anderson, MnDOT, Bruce Martinson, Rachel Loeffler-Kemp from Senator Amy Klobuchars office; Peter Staubers helper, Cook County Commissioner Ginny Storlie, Visit Cook County/Chamber of Commerce Director Linda Jurek; Cook County Chamber of Commerce lobbyist, Conservation Strategies, Judy Erickson; DNR Deputy Director of Parks & Trails Phil Leversedge, and DNR Two Harbors Assistant Area Supervisor, Parks and Trails Kevin Johnson. Staff photo Brian Larsen

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Gitchi-Gami State Trail Association held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completed 4.5-mile non-motorized, paved recreational trail segment from Cut Face Creek Wayside to Grand Marais on Tuesday June 14.

Kicking the event off was Kevin Johnson, Two Harbors Assistant Area Supervisor, DNR Parks and Trails Division. “I have worked my entire career on this project,” Johnson said, thanking a crowd of 40-50 who attended the ceremony before turning the mic over to Phil Leversedge, Deputy Director of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Trails. Now living in St. Paul, Phil spent 24 years as the State Park Manager at Tetegouche State Park, living in Two Harbors. “It’s nice to be home,” he said of being back on the North Shore.

Leversedge noted the collaboration it took to build the Gitchi-Gami. He cited working with the Gitchi-Gami State Trail Association, MnDOT, efforts from local and national politicians, and the state funding necessary to pay for the trail construction. He also cited the efforts by KGM and Red Stone Construction, who built the trail.

The new segment’s timber arch bridge over Fall River was highlighted. “It’s one of the coolest bridges on the North Shore,” Leversedge said.

Other speakers included representatives for Senator Amy Klobuchar, Congressman Pete Stauber, and Rep Rob Ecklund, as well as Linda Jurek from the Cook County Chamber/ Visit Cook County and Bruce Martinson, a Schroeder Township supervisor and past Cook County Commissioner.

Said Martinson, “On behalf of the Board of the Gitchi-Gami Trail Association, I would like to thank all our partners and trail supporters for attending today.

“I would like to thank the DNR for constructing the bridge of Inclusion on the Fall River. The public land from Hwy 61 to Lake Superior is owned by the State of Minnesota which should be available to all. Now those with mobility issues can enjoy the scenic beauty of the waterfall on one side and Lake Superior on the other. I don’t like to refer to this trail as a bike trail but rather as a “walk and roll” trail. One can either walk, roll on a bike or roll on a wheelchair.

“From the beginning, the Gitchi-Gami Trail Association have long worked in partnership with MNDNR, MNDOT and our state legislators to develop this infrastructure along Lake Superior.

“In closing, please support the efforts of the Gitchi-Gami Trail Association to promote, maintain and complete the trail by becoming a member.”

At the cost of $5 million to complete this segment, Leversedge noted the expense of building a paved non-motorized trail that is compliant and accessible for all users. So far, said Leversedge, about one-third of the 86-mile route from Two Harbors to Grand Marais is finished.

The process to complete the Gitchi-Gami is a slow process because the trail closely follows Highway 61 along the shore and is only worked on when MnDOT is redoing a section of Highway 61 between Two Harbors and Grand Marais.

After the speeches, ribbon cutting, and a light picnic lunch, some folks rode the trail to Grand Marais. Four EV bikes were on hand for those who didn’t bring a bicycle with them.

When done, the Gitchi Gami trail will connect five state parks, two counties, three large towns and several smaller communities, four scientific natural and natural areas, some historic sites, and take hikers and bikers through the boreal forest as well as offering spectacular views of Lake Superior.

The trail is open to biking, hiking, jogging, inline skating, and cross country skiing and is wheelchair accessible.