Grand Marais Park Board approves summer events

The Grand Marais Park and Recreation Board held its regular meeting on the very busy July 2.

The park board approved an interesting proposal for an art installation by Corrie Steckelberg of Grand Marais. Steckelberg is seeking a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board to fund the project, which will be purposely temporary. If funding becomes available the art--five life-sized caribou made of natural materials--would be placed in May and June 2020. 

The board also heard from Juston Bystrom of Grandma Ray's, who requested city approval of a snowmobile water skipping event in Grand Marais during Fisherman's Picnic. The park board asked what sort of permits would be required for the event. Bystrom told the park board he had obtained or is working on permits from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Coast Guard. Bystrom also talked about the environmental precautions taken by participants.

The park board approved the request unanimously, contingent on approval of permitting agencies, for three hours during the Fisherman's Picnic celebration. 

The park board also heard a Gunflint Hills Golf Course update, including the announcement of a "Chip in for our Youth" golf tournament coming up on July 28. 

 A new board member was appointed, Rita Hinchman, who now lives in Grand Marais, but who spent many summers as a camper in the Grand Marais Municipal Campground. She joins board chair Sally Berg, Barb Backlund, Jennifer Stoltz, and Grand Marais City Councilor Craig Schulte. 

After the park board meeting, WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Grand Marais Park and Recreation Manager Dave Tersteeg.