Grand Marais Campground is set to open May 1, weather permitting

While it may not feel or look like spring along the North Shore of Minnesota, the Grand Marais Recreation Park is preparing for camping season to begin in a mere three weeks. 

“May 1 is always our target date,” Dave Tersteeg, parks manager at the Grand Marais Recreation Park, said. “And boy, that’s just about three weeks away.”

Despite the icy spring storm that graced the North Shore this week, Tersteeg said some warm weather lies ahead in the forecast. He hopes it will allow the staff to open a few bathhouses and turn on the water.

Tersteeg said there are a few employment openings for seasonal help as the recreation park prepares for the busy summer season. “If you are looking for a great full or part-time summer job, check out the city and the park.” Interested applicants can apply on the city of Grand Marais website. 

In other recreation park news, the park board held a meeting on Apr. 4 to discuss and brainstorm ideas for the 2023 master planning project. The city council approved the hire of HKGI, a Twin-Cities-based company, to manage the master plan during the Feb. 22 meeting.

Tersteeg shared during the meeting that on Mar. 23, the recreation park held a kick-off meeting with Gabrielle Grinde, the project leader from HKGI, to discuss the master planning process. Tersteeg will supply HKGI with historical documents, mapping data, and relevant information. HKGI is expected to attend the next park board meeting in May. 

WTIP’s CJ Heithoff spoke with Tersteeg about the upcoming season, master planning, and much more. Audio from the interview is below. 

Kalli Hawkins April 6, 2023