Over 400 public responses gathered during Grand Marais Recreation Park master plan survey

On July 11, the Grand Marais Park Board held the second of three meetings for the Grand Marais Recreation Area Master Planning process.  

The city is currently working with HKGi, a Twin Cities-based company, to update the previous concept plan, incorporate public and stakeholder engagement, and develop a long-term vision for the Rec Park. 

During the meeting, Gabrielle Grinde, the project leader for HKGi, presented the results of the June Grand Marais Recreation Park survey that was available to stakeholders and the public to submit comments. 

In total, the online survey received 414 responses. 

53% of the respondents identified as permanent residents of Grand Marais or Cook County. In comparison, 46% of the respondents identified as visitors from outside Cook County or seasonal residents of Grand Marais. 

Based on the survey responses, the top issues identified in the park are the crowding/carrying capacity of the park, campsite size and density, and accessibility. 

Planning for future campground improvements, survey respondents want to focus on rebuilding or renovating the aging bathhouses, adding trees in and around the campground, and upgrading campsite utilities such as water and electricity. 

The longevity and location of the rec park ballfield have been circling in park board and school board meetings in recent months. The survey results show that 37% of respondents had no opinion on the ballfield. While 28% want to keep the ballfield in the rec park, and 26% want to remove it. 

Grinde will continue to assess and compile the public and stakeholder comments in the coming month. The park board will host one more public input event in August or September to review the draft concepts for the park.

Find the entire July 11 Park Board meeting here.

Gabrielle Grinde, the project leader with HKGI, presented an overview of the survey results during the July 11 meeting. Audio from a portion of the meeting & survey results is below. 

WTIP Staff July 13, 2023