Whether this parking lot across from Sydney’s in Grand Marais has been a parking lot since December 27, 1996 has become an issue. The Minnesota Land Trust sent Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg a letter saying the lot is in violation of the conservation easement that has been in effect between the Land Trust and Grand Marais for the past 14 years. If it was already a parking lot when the conservation easement went into effect, however, it can remain a parking lot. The Grand Marais Park Board directed Tersteeg to find evidence of how the spot was being used in December of 1996.
How long has the parking lot at the end of Broadway across from Sydney’s in downtown Grand Marais been a parking lot? The answer could be very important.
On December 27, 1996, the City of Grand Marais entered a conservation easement with the Minnesota Land Trust that prohibits the city from developing any of the land surrounding the harbor. The Minnesota Land Trust is now protesting the use of the gravel area just east of Boulder Park as a parking lot.
A June 27, 2011 letter from Minnesota Land Trust Executive Director Kris Larson to Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg states, “It has come to our attention over the past several years that Boulder Park is being used as a parking and turnaround area for vehicles and a staging area for piles of snow removed from the city streets during winter months.
“…Section 5 of the conservation easement prohibits the construc- tion or installation of additional buildings or improvements, including driveways, parking lots, and roads.
“…The vehicle use and snow piles in Boulder Park are a violation of the terms of the conservation easement.” The land trust wants Grand Marais to block the cuts in the curb where vehicles enter the lot, stop piling snow there in the winter, and make the lot look like Boulder Park beside it right next to the harbor.
“…We expect the initial work to stop vehicle access and snow stockpiling to be completed by December 30, 2011. …We’re happy to work with you in restoring the area to a natural park setting. We will set up an additional site visit after the first of the new year to determine if the violation has been resolved,” the letter goes on to say.
Minnesota Land Trust Executive Director Kris Larson offered seed money for restoring vegetation to the area.
The problem with this, according to park board member and city councilor Bill Lenz at the July 5 park board meeting, is that the conservation easement can’t stop the city from using the area as a parking lot if that’s how it was being used when the easement went into effect.
Documents proving whether or not it was a parking lot on December 27, 1996 had not been found as of the park board meeting. They looked at some photos that had been taken years ago, but the one that was taken before the easement went into effect did not clearly show the area where the parking lot is. Tersteeg said, however, that “there’s overwhelming anecdotal evidence” that the area has historically been used as a parking lot.
“I think we should put this to bed one way or another,” Lenz said. “If it was a parking lot, then it can continue to be a parking lot.” Lenz did not decry the existence of the easement, however. “I am a firm believer that if we didn’t have a conservation easement, there would be condos there now. …I believe the conservation easement is a good thing.”
The park board directed Tersteeg to research the historic use of the parking lot area.
Music in the park
The board approved a permit process that will allow musicians to perform and accept donations in Grand Marais parks.
The North Shore Music Association had yet to meet to approve its part in the program, but upon approval of its board of directors, it would oversee the permit application process with the help of volunteer Harris Mills, the musician who brought up the idea.
The authorized hours will be 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and performances are limited two hours or less in locations specified by the park. Musicians will need to sign up on a weekly schedule and must possess a City of Grand Marais peddler’s license at a cost of $100 per year or $25 for four days. Park Director Dave Tersteeg said he would find out if groups of musicians could band together to apply for annual permits.
Board Chair Walt Mianowski said, “I think music in the park would be real nice.”
Thefts in park
What is believed to be some 14-16-year-old youths wearing hoodies and riding BMXs have been stealing coolers with snacks and alcohol from campers in the rec park.
“We think they’re infiltrating through the sledding hill area,” Tersteeg told the board. Business owners have reported overhearing teens talk about stealing alcohol from campers in the rec park.
He said the park office is encouraging people to bring their personal items inside their tents, trailers, or vehicles at night.
Dog pound upgrade
The board passed a motion approving a temporary fence around the dog pound in the rec park. This would give impounded dogs the opportunity for fresh air and exercise without the possibility of conflict with campers’ dogs that would occur if the dogs were walked on leashes.
“No animals would be there unattended,” park board/city council member Bill Lenz said.
Lenz said a new animal rescue group, Arrowhead Animal Rescue, has a contract with the city to care for animals in the pound. “I think the group is good for the city,” said Lenz, “and I think we should help them if we can.”
“It’s something that’s been needed for a long time,” said Board Chair Walt Mianowski.
Equipment needs at golf course
Park Manager Dave Tersteeg is working with Gunflint Hills Golf Course employees to prioritize capital needs that might be eligible for 1% sales and use tax money being collected countywide for recreational capital improvements. “We’re not asking for the world,” Golf Course Manager Mike Kunshier said. “We’re asking for a small upgrade. Our equipment is really old.” He said, for example, they have been unable to find parts for their 20-year-old riding lawn mower.
Locals using pool
The pool has four young teenage workers from the Incredible Exchange program helping clean and do yard work over the summer.
June visitations at the pool were up 350 from last year, mostly from locals using the pool. Things like the exercise class and log rolling have been bringing more people in.
Volunteers representing the exercise class created a float for the Fourth of July parade, which won in the “most patriotic” category.
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