Just a few words about the proposed rate hike for the Rec Park. Indeed the sites with a lake view along South 8th Street are nice, but the nice view comes with issues. Foremost is the traffic along South 8th. This is more like an industrial park area rather than a quiet RV park.
The 10 mph speed limit is never heeded nor enforced. City worker and electrical power truck traffic starts just about every morning about 5:30 and constant speeding traffic creates a dangerous situation. Where did the speed bumps go? They helped. These conditions certainly do not warrant an increase in fees for these sites.
Do the city fathers have any idea how much summer residents spend in Grand Marais? Unlike weekenders, summer residents purchase all of their necessities locally. We spend close to $6,300 a summer at restaurants, stores, entertainment, hospital, doctor, churches, etc. This number is in line with what is spent by other summer residents. This would be a large loss if people leave and take their business elsewhere.
Not to mention summer residents’ involvement in activities, such as the thrift store, bicycle program, rides for the elderly, volunteers at North House, Ruby’s Pantry, etc. Many summer residents assist in the maintenance of their own sites, alleviating some work required by park staff.
What improvements have been made? The only ones of recent memory were the conversion of a number of sites to include 50 amp service and sewer. Some of the bathhouses have been upgraded.
The removal of the pool is certainly not a benefit to those who enjoyed its close proximity. The cleared pool area is now an unsightly storage area for boat trailers.
In this day and age when the majority of RV parks have free WIFI, why, when we have state-of-the-art fiber optic cabling so close, is it not available in some form at the RV sites? The cable TV situation is deplorable and is not available at many sites.
RV sites need to be improved with tree trimming, leveling, safe and easily accessible table areas, by the elimination of protruding roots.
Has anyone looked at ways of cutting city spending instead of always just asking for more money? Add more sites; upgrade more existing nightly sites so they can be rented at a higher amount. Remove the ballpark and use that for more improved sites. Initiate a yearly boat launching permit system at a nominal fee.
The idea of someone willing to give up their waterfront site for a back site is just not going to happen. Many will leave before they accept that. Doesn’t anyone remember what happened with the Canadians and their rate hike response?
It seems that the title of Coolest Small Town in America has different meanings. One for those whose incomes can afford the expensive lifestyle of Grand Marais. The other is the “cool” attitude of those in Grand Marais that seem to think that those senior citizens (many on fixed incomes) who have lived their summers here for many years, volunteered and contributed to the economic health of the city, need to either pay more, relocate or leave. Sooner or later the cash cow is going to dry up.
Maybe we can all find a small town that appreciates its summer residents and all they do to make a town the Coolest Small Town in America.
Charlie Hoffstatter
Site 28W Rec Park
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