The Grand Marais Recreation park board met Wednesday, March 3 and discussed a variety of topics, although there were few resolutions cast during the meeting.
A lengthy discussion was held about setting rates at the Gunflint Hills Golf course. The 9-hole 3,030-yard municipal golf course is open mid-May through October, weather permitting.
Park Board Manager Dave Tersteeg presented a sheet of paper listing possible rates for green fees, cart fees, memberships for singles, couples, kids, and students, and potential discounts linked to driving up the business.
While board members couldn’t decide on many of the proposed rate changes at this meeting, two were approved. All residents of the city of Grand Marais will receive 15 percent off of green fees, and campers at the park will receive a $5 deduction when they golf at Gunflint Hills.
Next, the board talked about finding a better way to handle reservations. At the last meeting, there was consensus about booking six months ahead of the current date.
Tersteeg said most national park campgrounds use this method, but he noted that with this policy, there is the ability to book up to 14 nights on reservable sites. Some savvy customers have figured out that they could book for 14 days and then later change the date to reflect the actual length of time they wanted to stay.
“This “loophole” with the 6-months ahead window has created hardship for the national parks, especially when savvy users later change their dates to reflect their actual intended nights of stay.”
One way to counter that, said Tersteeg, is to charge a hefty fee associated with the date change of $50 to $100.
Board members still had some questions about how the reservation system would work, and Tersteeg agreed to bring back more information at the next meeting.
Highway 61 roadwork
Coming soon, said Tersteeg, is the Highway 61 work that will take place mid-May through October.
The intersection at 8th Avenue West and Highway 61, which is the entrance to the RV park and campground, will be reconstructed this coming May and finished by July, said Tersteeg. “The recreation park sign will need to be moved because it is partially in the right-of-way. Detoured traffic flow signage plans from MnDOT show the 8th Avenue intersection will be maintained for one lane in the southern lane controlled by three temporary stoplights, one on either side of the lane and one at the top of the rec park hill for those exiting park. The northern lane, as well as access to 8th Ave (heading up the hill from the park), will be closed for the majority of May to July.
But while that work will impact the park, Tersteeg noted the most significant impact would probably happen August 3 west of town when MnDOT closes down Highway 61 to replace the box culvert at Fall Creek.
“All (Highway 61) traffic from the west will be detoured up County Road 7 out by Cascade State Park so that the box culvert can be replaced. Our guests will have to come down from County Road 7 on 8th Avenue to access the park. The closure is expected to be in place for August 2020.
“There is a workgroup actively planning for communications, marketing, and alternate route signage during the multiyear highway project,” said Tersteeg. “During the summer of 2021, there will be significant work east of 8th Avenue and throughout the downtown corridor, including a complete closure of the highway from 3rd Avenue West to Broadway (the stoplights) for some time.
“Another piece of the highway project we are anticipating is the construction of The Landing in the Community Connection corner next to North House. As more detailed plans for The Landing with the George Morrison themed arbor, retaining wall, and steps are developed they will be shared and reviewed with the park board. A significant portion of park capital funds has been earmarked for The Landing.”
Last but not least, letters have been sent to seasonal staff asking if they will return to the park for the season. Tersteeg said several seasonal positions would be open with a starting pay of $13.66 to $14.17 per hour with flexible part-time and full-time schedules beginning mid-May.
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