North Shore Health’s Chief Financial Officer Vera Schumann was happy to learn the news that North Shore Health was approved for a $1,436,250 Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection loan. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
The Grand Marais park and recreation board passed a unanimous motion to open the RV Park and Campground to seasonal self-contained boats and RV’s only at the board’s Tuesday, May 5 meeting.
A glitch in the audio prevented the park board members from being heard during the 45-minute meeting, but the park board members could be seen discussing the agenda.
For now, the Stay-At-Home order does not allow the park to accept overnight, recreation camping until May 18, the tentative date the governor’s Stay-At-Home order will end, or will be extended and plans will change with any extension.
Following the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines, self-contained seasonal RV’s on full hook-up sites is the only model that allows for the bathhouses to remain closed or for the park to offer limited, non-24 hour access to the bathhouses.
Grand Marais Parks and Rec Director Dave Tersteeg said, “If we offer overnight camping, we must open bathhouses and provide 24 hour restroom facilities.”
The park board’s decision means that the 20 seasonal RV owners who come in May will be allowed to do so. The majority of those folks arrive later in the month, said Tersteeg.
Conditions for opening to seasonal guests during the Governor’s Stay at Home order apply to monthly renters only. Upon arriving at the campground, returning seasonal guests must self-isolate for a two-week period. They have been advised to bring groceries and cleaning/sanitation supplies to last through the two-week quarantine period.
For now the bathhouses will remain closed. The recreation hall will also be closed to the public but will serve as a place for park employees to cleanup, take a break and the building will serve as the facilities managers headquarters.
The park office will be staffed but not open to the public. Staff will accept cashless pay over the phone or through email to the park office. Questions or comments directed to the staff will be conducted by phone or email.
By closing the recreation park to overnight RV’s during May, the park stands to lose roughly $50,000 in revenue, said Tersteeg.
Marina
Tersteeg said the marina would operate with the same restrictions as campgrounds under the Stay-at-Home order. Seasonal guests (and fuel dock services) will be allowed, but overnight guests will not be allowed.
“We have a couple of local, seasonal guests who typically use the marina in May and we might see a handful of boats on the service dock, in transient spring deliveries. The options for the marina are the same as for the campground,” he said.
Opening the bathhouses
Going forward, the park board is discussing ways to open the bathhouses to park guests when the governor’s Stay-at-Home order is lifted. Tersteeg said staff will be trained to disinfect touch points in the bathhouses with EPA approved cleaner every two hours. Doors and windows will be left open and auxiliary fans will be used to increase airflow and ventilation. Signs will be placed that reinforce social distancing, cough and hand hygiene, “one person at a time” and floor markings will be used for the offline showers, sinks, urinals, and toilets to allow for social distancing.
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