The City of Grand Marais Recreation Areas showed a net gain of $16,447 in 2008, City Councilor Bill Lenz reported to his fellow park board members Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Last year, the RV Park and Campground netted $242,400, and the harbor and marina netted $2,900. Offsetting those net gains were losses of $228,900 by the pool (which brought in $68,500 but cost $297,400 to operate) and $29,500 by the golf course (which brought in $139,700 but cost $169,200 to operate).
“This year’s campground revenue is up $10,000 over last June,” reported Park Manager Dave Tersteeg. Thepark continues to lose potential reservations because only 30 of its 300 sites offer full hookup sites for RVs. Tersteeg said ecotourism is on the rise, with more and more visitors wanting to see “green” concepts utilized. He has been trying to incorporate environmentally friendly principles, such as by using green cleaning products.
Most people are happy with their camping experience at the rec park, Tersteeg said. “We’ve had more compliments than complaints.” The staff is busy but able to keep up with the work even though they hired one fewer worker for the summer in order to save costs.
” Tersteeg reported that the new bathhouse is handicapped accessible, and the picnic pavilion now has a handicap-parking zone.
Minnesota Conservation Corps workers are maintaining the rain garden outside the pool building and are improving and expanding the Sweethearts’ Bluff trail system. The Sweethearts’ Bluff sign was stolen recently, Tersteeg said.
Ice cream sales in the park office are becoming more popular, especially on warmer days, Tersteeg reported.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, Tersteeg said, they tried to accommodate a 60-foot boat in the marina, but it didn’t fit. Thirty-foot boats are fitting well, with many of them taking up 36 feet of space with extra attachments on either end. All but one buoy is occupied in the harbor, Tersteeg said.
Thanks to some membership renewals, the pool brought in $2,000 more this June than it did last June, Head Lifeguard Charles Christiansen reported. Pool revenue is down 4% ($1,100) from this time last year, but visits by park guests are up, he said. So many kids signed up for swimming lessons this summer that pool staff will need to teach two classes at a time. Christiansen said they are open to offering lessons for babies and their parents, and they could also offer lessons for adults who do not know how to swim.
The new climbing wall is fully compliant with state regulations, Tersteeg said, and kids are enjoying it greatly. “Nice job, Pool Pals and the pool!” he said.
Attendance at Gunflint Hills Golf Course is up 4-½% over this time last year, with 1,539 visits in June. Golf course manager Mike Kunshier said he thinks this is due to a growth in annual memberships, which are at 94. Thecourse now has a website: www.grandmaraisgolf.com.
The park board approved an offer from Robin DuChien to provide two log park benches to be placed along the Sweethearts’ Bluff trail. She is donating them in memory of her parents, sister, and sisterin law, she said.
Dave Tersteeg wanted the public to know that the U.S. Forest Service puts on a naturalist program in the park every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
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