I have recently become aware of the Grand Marais Park Board and city’s proposal to charge 30 percent more for “prime sites” and 12 percent for the other sites.
I believe it is unconscionable for the city to take the profits from the park and use it for anything other than bringing the campground’s infrastructure up to minimum standards.
1. The electrical system is in dire need of modernizing. When was the system last upgraded? In the area where we put out camper, there are 7-11 sites on one 30 amp breaker. Last summer the breaker tripped so many times in one day that it failed and was damaged enough that the breaker and box had to be replaced. I have been told that there are other areas that have the same set up. In our camper the voltage has gone as low as 105 volts which makes it likely that appliances will be damaged.
2. The water piping and pressure are also totally inadequate. When a number of people are using water from the same line there sometimes is not enough pressure to take a shower.
3. Many sites have not been leveled with gravel. Many campgrounds now have cement slabs for the campers.
I could go on with more of the park’s inadequacies, but three examples will give you a good idea that there needs to be many dollars spent to bring the park up to today’s minimum standards.
When the city council comes up with these types of proposals, it damages the relations the citizens have with the seasonal campers. Maybe the council needs to compare the park to other similar campgrounds. Research needs to be done as to how much seasonals add to the economy of the city and the countless hours they volunteer for charities and other entities. The council needs to come and learn and see what the campground’s needs are before they talk of raising rates year after year.
Jim Mielke
Summer Camper/Grand Marais
Leave a Reply