Grand Marais Park Board update on master plan and camping season end

The Grand Marais Park Board met on Monday, November 13, 2023. On the agenda were, among other items, a financial report on the 2023 boating and camping season, an update on current projects, and the presentation of the latest draft of the Parks Master Plan.

According to Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg, the Rec Park had a good year. He said that the park had an expectedly busy summer season, plus a particularly strong finish in October, which pushed the park revenue up 5% over the 2022 revenue.

Tersteeg also commented on the ongoing overlook landing construction project at the park, and whether it will be complete before the end of the year. He said, “That’s the Christmas wish, you know, we hope to have it up by the end of the year. The contract was scheduled to be complete this year, and we’re still hoping to stick to that. But then next Spring 2024, we’ll certainly have a grand opening celebration of that magnificent gateway to the park.”

The board continues to work on the master plan for the Rec Park. The current draft contains major infrastructure changes including new amenities for both campers and community members. Tersteeg hopes to present the plan to the Grand Marais City Council for approval in the coming weeks.

Dave Tersteeg, the Grand Marais parks and recreation manager, spoke with WTIP’s CJ Heithoff on November 15, 2023 about the meeting, and to give an update on what is happening at the Rec Park now that the boating and camping seasons have ended.

Kirsten Wisniewski November 22, 2023