Grand Marais Recreation Area statistics for August and for the entire season so far are looking good.
At the Tuesday, September 7, 2010 meeting of the Grand Marais Park Board, Assistant Director Amber Wright reported that the campground has brought in $12,514 more than last year. Monthly site rentals were down 7%, but daily rentals were up 7%, and weekly rentals were up 23%.
The occupancy rate for May through August averaged 51%, up from 48% last year. August saw an 85% occupancy rate. The good weather “made a big difference,” said Wright. She noted that the occupancy rate for the tent sites was up over last year, which could have been related to this season’s good weather or to the fact that tent prices had been lowered this year.
Marina income and fuel sales were both down 12% this year, however, Wright said.
Park board member Bill Lenz reported that the park has seen a 25% reduction in its utility bills. He attributed this to the use of compact fluorescent lights and to repairs to leaks in the underground water system.
Some site upgrades are planned for this fall or early next spring. Enhancements to the park’s entrance are on the priority list as well.
Memorial plaque policy
The board discussed its policies regarding memorials and gifts of artwork in Harbor Park. It had decided to review and clarify its policies after a local coffee klatch expressed a desire to pay for a flagpole in memory of their friend Dick Joynes, who passed away in 2001.
Memorial opportunities are already in place for people wanting to purchase a teak bench with a plaque or to have a plaque attached to one of the concrete benches in the park.
Bill Lenz, also a city councilor, said the city is checking with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on whether the grant that helped fund the construction of the park would allow a memorial flagpole to be put up. The grant does not allow “permanent structures” in the park, he said.
Park board member Todd Miller advocated for the park’s policies to be outlined very specifically. “I’m a fan of a plan,” he said. Lenz, on the other hand, thought it would be better to keep their options open by leaving room for discretion in the policies. “If there’s a problem in the future,” he said, “we can deal with it then.”
Miller wondered how people who had paid for teak benches or plaques on concrete benches would feel about others paying for “showier” memorials. He was concerned about “not appearing to respect the old memorials.”
Miller pointed out that they would not have to follow DNR guidelines if the flagpole were placed somewhere else, such as Compass Park (where Wisconsin Street meets Highway 61). Having a flagpole in Compass Park would provide a good navigational tool for boats entering the harbor because it could lead them right near the marina entrance, he said.
The board decided to wait until its October meeting to decide on its Harbor Park policies. Theyhoped to hear word on the DNR’s requirements for the park by that time.
Community garden
This summer’s community garden on rec park grounds was a huge success. Nine gardeners whose names were chosen at random won spots for next year. Only two year-round residents applied for spots, and they both got them in order to continue providing a place for rec park guests and year-round residents to build community.
This year’s gardeners donated some of their excess produce to the Cook County Food Shelf.
Off season pool hours and discounts
Fall, winter, and spring pool hours are now in place. Thepool opens for all ages at 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and at 2:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It closes at 7:00 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and at 9:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Adult swim is Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday nights starting at 3:30 p.m. are dollar nights. Sunday is two-for-one day. Students can get in for $2 after school Mondays through Thursdays.
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