Regular seasonal guests at the Grand Marais Recreation Area campground will soon receive a letter outlining the park board’s recent decision to charge a higher monthly rate for what are now termed Lakeside and Prime sites, areas with a good view of Lake Superior and sites that have been in constant high demand based on past performance.
The park board made the final decision at its December 1 meeting after several months of discussion.
Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg said even though rates are going up, “At all levels, monthly rates still reflect a considerable discount from nightly rates and are tax free. The collection of higher rates for higher value sites honors our goals and policies in the Master Plan,” Tersteeg wrote in his letter to about 120 campers.
Tersteeg also outlined the rationale for the increase.
“The Recreation Park collects user fees to fund the goals of the City of Grand Marais. Top goals include: property tax relief (Each dollar our operation collects is one less dollar needed from pockets of city taxpayers) and reinvesting in our facilities, infrastructure and amenities. Happy campers are also a priority. We continue to level sites, replace grills and tables, plant and trim trees, and take care of the resource. Campground investments for 2016 include: improved WiFi connectivity, paving around the office area and the busy road down to the marina, water and power improvements to needy zones and a possible refit of our historic house of an office. You can also expect kiln dried wood and less campfire smoke. We care about our campers and our community.”
For those RV owners who don’t want to pay the higher fees, Tersteeg said, “For those affected by significant changes to their rate, keep in mind that different sites at different price points will be available for co-current guests to choose the one that best fits their budget. However, we will not now have a complete picture of availability until February 2016.”
In setting its policy to maximize rates, Tersteeg reminded the board that this policy was framed in the 2009 Recreation Park Master Plan and reflected in the rates at different prices for nightly sites based on location (Lakeside versus Standard). The Standard sites, those without a lakeview or set in the back near the road or ball field, will remain the same for 2016.
All in all, the new change affects only 32 sites that have been either designated Prime or Lakeside. Prime sites will be charged at the monthly rate of $800 from June 15 to September 15, $750 for Lakeside and $700 for Standard sites for the same period.
A 12-month plan, which includes on-site storage, will cost $4,600 for Prime sites, $4,000 for Lakeside and $3,500 for Standard sites. Tersteeg said those who are in Prime and Lakeside sites wishing to store onsite, must purchase a 12-month plan.
Campground hosts position discussed
Gary and Janet Radloff appeared before the board to discuss their position as Grand Marais Recreational Campground hosts. The couple has been hosts since 2005.
In exchange for keeping their RV at a campsite, the Radloffs work approximately 16 hours per week, but Tersteeg said they often worked more hours than that.
“Gary and Janet have done a great job for us,” said Tersteeg.
Their duties include public relations and night park patrol on foot or in a vehicle, and Janet also works in the office when needed. They are also responsible for assisting the maintenance staff if called upon and notifying the police if there is a need. As for Gary, he is a trained law officer. He was the bailiff whose quick intervention helped save lives in the Cook County courthouse shooting in 2012. Gary said he has caught people stealing in the park over the years, and he called on the park board to bring in more cameras. “Even if they don’t work, they will be a deterrent to theft,” he said.
After the Radloffs left, Tersteeg asked for feedback. Board member Kaye Tavernier, who also works in the office in the summer, said she thought the Radloffs should be moved to the west end of the park because the campers there were newer, less familiar with the park and need more assistance. Board Member Dave Mills asked why the Radloffs weren’t located closer to the park building like most campground hosts. Tersteeg said the Radloffs—whose trailer is by the marina on the east end of the park—wanted to stay there. Before the Radloffs left Gary stated that the couple had tried to get to their current location for five years, and if they were asked to leave they would forgo the Campground Host designation and just pay to stay there. “It doesn’t matter what you decide to do. That’s how I feel,” said Gary. “I can always pick up time at the sheriff ’s office to make up for this job.”
Board Member Sally Berg noted that the Radloffs have done a very good job. She asked for the board to allow them to stay in their current location and plan for a time when the Radloffs retire. The board agreed with her and in the future the Campground Hosts would be required to stay in close proximity to the campground office.
Gunflint Hills
Playing golf at Gunflint Hills Golf Course next year will cost members a bit more than it did this year.
The park board approved the following fees for 2016: The rate for couples will go from $598 to $675; singles from $299 to $399 (unless they are 30- the rate for first time members and those players under 30 will be $329) and golfers who are under 18 can purchase a single season pass for $100.
The only change in daily rates is a bump of $5 for anyone paying for 18 holes and cart. That will go from $40 to $45. The rate for a cart and 9 holes of play will stay at $30.
Mike Kunshier, manager of the scenic 3,030-yard, 9-hole, 36-par course said green fees and cart rentals were up $7,259 or 11 percent over last year. He said the great weather in October kept the season going strong with proceeds up $3,894, an increase of 220 percent over the same time period a year ago.
Overall green fees and rental carts were up $7,259, or 11 percent for 2015, while season pass revenue ended 13 percent down.
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