Mark and Ruthann Ohlsen of Faribault, Minnesota as a tribute to their son Quinn, who passed away last year, have donated a new piece of artwork to the Grand Marais recreational park. Called “Cherry Blossom” the piece stands near the path that leads from the Highway 61 sidewalk down into the park near North House.
Golf Course Manager Mike Kunshier came before the Grand Marais Park Board on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 and gave an update of the Gunflint Hills Golf Course.
To date 26,667 rounds of golf have been played, up about 2,200 from last year over the same time period.
Revenues are up 5 percent over last year, said Kunshier, $74,102 netted so far compared to $70,700 last year.
“So, things are better than last year. That’s good,” said Board Member Walt Mianowski.
“It’s better than last year, but that’s about all,” said Kunshier, noting that wet weather hasn’t helped bring golfers to the course.
“We have a good crew. They are working hard. Now all we can do is hope for good weather,” Kunshier said.
Park report
Revenue for the Grand Marais Municipal Campground for July is up $14,870 over last July, an increase of 6.3 percent,” said Park Manager Dave Tersteeg.
The year-to-date revenue as of July 31 is up $23,798 over last July, an increase of 4.6 percent from 2013.
“Even though the weather hasn’t been the best, people are still coming here,” said Tersteeg.
The Boulder Park “pop-up” sidewalk will be installed from August 15 to August 24. The temporary sidewalk will be installed between the Coast Guard parking lot and end at the permanent sidewalk in front of Cobblestone Cove. The temporary sidewalk will consist of granite sand, said Tersteeg.
“The gravel parking lot will be closed for a week. If the weather permits, we will put our big blue tent over the gravel parking lot with picnic tables and benches placed underneath it,” Tersteeg said.
Signage will be placed near the display explaining the temporary nature of the pop-up experiment and feedback will be welcome, said Tersteeg.
The project is a collaboration with the Active Living Steering Committee and Moving Matters project that encourages people to get outside and get mobile without the use of a motor.
Little Free Library
Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux was back in front of the board with his proposal to build a Little Free Library (LFL) and place it in Harbor Park.
Arrowsmith DeCoux appeared before the board two months ago and then had to take his request to the Grand Marais City Council. They told Arrowsmith DeCoux to take his request back to the park board for final approval.
While the park board had expressed initial concerns about seeing a LFL in Harbor Park, Arrowsmith DeCoux said he could put one near the east end of the park near two trees. “That way it wouldn’t affect the site lines in the park,” he said.
The LFL proposed by Arrowsmith DeCoux would look like the Grand Marais lighthouse and stand 5 feet tall and weigh about 100 pounds. It would be moored to the ground, but in such a way that it could be removed in the winter when the park walks are filled with snow and the park isn’t in use most of the time.
“I would be willing to go get it and store it in my garage,” said Arrowsmith DeCoux.
Arrowsmith DeCoux said he picked up a lot of books at the recent Library Friends Book Sale, and could get more from the Grand Rapids Library Friends if needed. The books he selected were graphic novels or regional in content—two topics that LFL studies suggested patrons seemed to want to get from a LFL.
After some discussion the board voted unanimously to have Arrowsmith DeCoux build and install the LFL in Harbor Park. Sally Berg said she was in favor of the motion because if, at some time, the town gets an Arts Advisory Board (AAB), the LFL could be moved if the AAB decided it didn’t fit that area. Arrowsmith DeCoux said he was fine with that and he will have the structure up and running by the middle of August.
Swimming pool update
The park swimming pool has been cleared for demolition after some asbestos had been discovered and then removed. It was closed for good last January after the Cook County Community YMCA pool opened.
“I expect it will be taken down in October or November,” Tersteeg said, noting that the park board will have to seek demolition bids soon.
Parkside Public Access project
Representatives from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will come before the park board at its September 2 meeting to discuss proposed upgrades to the rubble breakwall, boat ramp, parking lot and other improvements to the small public boat launch located by the dog pound.
“There will be more details about the meeting in the near future,” Tersteeg said.
Cherry Blossom
Before adjourning the park board walked (or drove) over to see the donated public art that Tersteeg placed near the entrance of the harbor park corridor. The artwork is called Cherry Blossom and was donated by Mark and Ruthann Ohlsen of Faribault, Minnesota as a tribute to their son Quinn, age 19, who died December 9, 2013. Everyone agreed the piece looked good where it was placed. The only thing it needs to be completed is the commemorative plaque from the family that donated it, said Tersteeg.
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