Public feedback in Sawtooth Bluffs survey is mixed, county deciding how to proceed

In February, the Cook County Parks and Trails Commission launched a Sawtooth Bluffs community feedback survey to gauge interest from residents and visitors about the potential development of the area.

Sawtooth Bluffs is a 640-acre site along the Gunflint Trail west of the Grand Marais water tower. It comprises land owned by the City of Grand Marais and Cook County.

The Parks and Trails Commission is exploring a regional park designation for Sawtooth Bluffs. The county allocated $30,000 in the budget to update the 2018 Sawtooth Bluff Regional Park Master Plan and explore the process of receiving a regional park designation.

The survey results and feedback from the approximately 480 respondents show that there isn’t an overwhelming consensus on how to proceed with developing the site.

The survey asked nine questions about Sawtooth Bluffs development and five questions about demographics, distinguishing between full-time Cook County residents, part-time residents, frequent visitors, and occasional visitors.

One of the survey questions asked, ‘How important do you think it is to develop a regional park in Cook County?’ Survey participants had to choose between zero and ten, with zero being the least important and ten being the most important.

Results show that over 150 full-time residents ranked the development of a regional park in Cook County as low importance, and about 110 ranked it as of high importance.

Graphics from the survey results are below:

When asked, ‘What amenities or features would you like to see in the regional park?’ full-time residents responded with a wide variety of activities. Options include no amenities, walking/hiking trails, mountain bike trails, ski trails, disc golf, picnic area, playground, and more.

A graphic from the survey is below:

Other comments provided in the ‘other’ category from full-time Cook County residents included ATV use, access for snowmobiles, preservation of the land/leave it alone, housing, an outdoor music venue, climbing, selling the land, an expanded dog park, a garden, and skijoring trails.

One of the survey questions asked about concerns with the regional park plan. Survey respondents shared concerns about traffic congestion on the Gunflint Trail, safety, environmental concerns, maintenance, and the cost to taxpayers.

The concerns and comments from full-time residents also included that there are enough recreation opportunities in Cook County and that more hiking, biking, and outdoor activities are not needed. In addition, comments about the need for housing and the fact that the developed property will be just for the tourists rather than the residents were included.

Part-time residents also shared concerns about overtaxing the locals, impacts on neighbors, overdevelopment of the land, environmental concerns, user conflicts, and safety.

A graphic from the survey is below:

The survey data shows there were numerous positive comments from survey respondents. Comments included the regional park would be an great addition to community health, desire for the park to have a financial benefit, and the park would be a wonderful asset for locals and visitors.

Survey results show that 48% of full-time residents are not supportive of allocating local resources, such as taxes or public funds, to develop the regional park, while 38% are supportive. The remaining 14% were unsure.

As for part-time residents, frequent visitors, and occasional visitors, a larger percentage of survey respondents support allocating local resources to develop the regional park.

A graphic from the survey is below:In recent weeks, Cook County Parks and Trails Coordinator Mitch Travis presented the survey results to the Grand Marais Park Board and the Grand Marais City Council.

He also discussed the potential development process and the need for the city and county to work together if both entities decide to explore development and update the 2018 Sawtooth Bluff Regional Park Master Plan.

During the May 14 city council meeting, Travis said, “As the plan stands right now, nothing is set in stone.”

Travis said the intent of the survey and his presentations to the park board and city council is mainly to inform and “reinvigorate the discussion” about Sawtooth Bluffs.

If the county decides to move forward with hiring an architectural and planning firm, Travis said the city would need to be involved, given that the property is a mix of city and county. During the meeting, Travis and the city council discussed the need for a joint powers agreement.

Travis said the county is “handcuffed” until the city and county enter a joint powers agreement. “I really can’t go making big plans with anything as far as what we want to do until we get buy-in from the city.”

City Administrator Mike Roth said the city and county could move forward with initial plans for Sawtooth Bluffs without entering into a joint powers agreement.

Before the city council decides how to proceed, Roth recommended gathering more information about partnering with the county, how best to use the $30,000, and what it might take for the city to participate in the project.

“I would be interested in learning more,” said Councilor Michael Garry.

Grand Marais Mayor Tracy Benson said, “A lot of it sounds exploratory at this point.”

She said she thinks the city should be involved in the process to update the master plan for Sawtooth Bluffs.

Receiving a regional park designation from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission would be similar to the city’s process in 2023 to update the Grand Marais Recreation Park master plan.

“We would have to go through everything you just went through with the Rec Park,” Travis said. “So it might be more than a couple of years even if we started today.”

Travis said, “I’m just here doing the tasks assigned to me and trying to inform you guys and see where your interest stands.”

Benson said it would be beneficial to hear from the Cook County Board of Commissioners about their vision for the Sawtooth Bluffs area and the process of developing a plan together.

The county’s plate is quite full right now, with the Board of Commissioners focused on hiring a County Administrator, renovating the courthouse, and moving forward with Capital Improvement Project initiatives, such as the Law Enforcement Center Addition.

The city council did not vote or formally decide how to proceed during the May 14 meeting.

Find the full Sawtooth Bluffs community feedback survey results here.

Kalli Hawkins May 21, 2025