“We had our busiest May ever,” said Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg to the Grand Marais Park Board at its June 2 meeting.
Despite mixed weather, some cool, wet days, and some warm days, Tersteeg said revenues were up $26,000 (38 percent) his May over last May.
Seasonal maintenance positions are still available, Tersteeg said, “as well as our full-time, year-round facilities manager position.”
The current facilities manager, David Hepler, is leaving to pursue other activities after one year on the job. The last day to apply for the position is June 17.
“We had a great turnout for the Harbor Park cleanup on May 28. More downtown trimming and weeding will be done in the month of June,” said Teerseteg, adding his thanks to the Grand Marais Garden Club for their work in planting flowers in the park.
Every Fisherman’s Picnic the softball field in the park is used for the Fisherman’s Panic softball tournament, but several errant fly balls over the years have broken camper/ car windows, and complaints have been issued about the use of alcohol by some players.
The problem, said Tersteeg, is that the fences are too short and not high enough to stop errant fly balls.
Tersteeg said the outfield fence line is 218 feet, while a typical outfield fence is 300 feet. The current fence is also only 15 feet high at the back of right field, and 6 feet high on the right field out of bounds line.
To stop complaints Tersteeg presented the board with two options. The first would be to disallow the use of the field. He suggested softball games be played at Pappy Wright Little League field and the high school ball field.
His second suggestion centered on the park spending considerable time and money to rebuild the fence lines, widening them and raising their height, which might or might not prevent fly balls from the leaving the playing area and landing in or near campsites.
The board will review his suggestions and make a decision on how to proceed at an upcoming board meeting.
Music in the park
“Summer’s here and the time is right…” For music in the Grand Marais Harbor Park. Well, the Mamas and Papas would most probably agree if one believed their lyrics from their 1966 hit Dancing in the Street.
Todd Miller, Grant Merritt and John Mianoswki came before the board representing the Grand Marais Music Collaborative. They were seeking a special event application so musicians can play music in the park on dates that are open from June 1 through August 29. After hearing the proposal, the board okayed their request.
Under terms of the agreement bands or musicians wouldn’t start before noon and wouldn’t play after 8 p.m. Crowds are estimated at 50 people or less. The music collaborative also agreed to provide insurance for the events.
“It’s a pilot project that the park board will review in the fall,” said Tersteeg.
Memorial bench coming
The northernmost bench in Boulder Park will be replaced with a new bench commemorating the life of Vi Wonser.
“This isn’t necessarily going to be a permanent location for the bench, but we have agreed to let the family know if we have to move it,” Tersteeg said.
The family of Vi Wonser is purchasing a Cassidy arched back bench that resembles the one at the library. It will have an 8×2 bronze plaque with Vi’s name on it.
Golf fees remain the same
Gunflint Hills Golf Course Director Mike Kunshier reported that the golf course is looking much better than it had earlier in the spring. Winter weather killed some of the greens, but they are recovering nicely, he said. So far about 70 people have signed up for a year pass.
The park board had considered lowering the cost to play golf this summer, but decided to keep the fees where they are for one more season, then review how the year went at its conclusion this fall.
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