After a request from Gene Erickson, Park Johnson, and friends to put up a flagpole in Harbor Park in memory of Dick Joynes was approved by the Grand Marais Park Board but not approved by the City Council, the park board is discussing its policy on donations to Harbor Park.
On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the board went over a memo from Park Manager Dave Tersteeg outlining considerations that would need to be made in approving gifts, such as artwork, offered to Harbor Park. Tersteeg pointed out that the creation of Harbor Park involved a careful design process, funding from a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Natural and Scenic Area grant, and a Minnesota Conservation Easement. Those elements called for a natural look to the park with uninterrupted views of the harbor.
Park board member Carol Backlund asked if they were discussing this because of the request to put up the flagpole in memory of Dick Joynes. The city council directed City Administrator Mike Roth to ask the DNR if the Natural and Scenic Area grant and the Conservation Easement would allow a flagpole in the park.
Todd Miller said he believed the flagpole request precipitated the discussion and illuminated the ambiguities in the park’s policies. He was unsure who has the power to decide the answer to the question. “We need to hear from the DNR, and we need direction,” he said. “No one wants to cause trouble. No one wants to show disrespect.”
Tersteeg said he thought that while this discussion might not affect the flagpole decision, it could help them plan for the next request.
Rather than outlining exactly what would be accepted, Backlund recommended considering gifts of art (accompanied by financial donations) on a case-by-case basis. “I like all forms of art,” she said, “and I hate to censure anything.”
Board chair Walt Mianowski said the parameters set down when the park was built would probably preclude many flags but would likely allow one.
“This isn’t just a memorial,” Miller pointed out. “Thisis a flag.”
Tersteeg will draft a policy for the board’s review. It will say that artwork will be considered on a case-by-case basis and that it will need final approval by the city council.
The Harbor Park Plaque Program, which allows people to designate a plaque in honor or memory of someone, has generated over $50,000 so far. Theplaques are on the teak benches in various locations throughout the park and on the concrete benches around the perimeter of the park.
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