Park board preparing for golf, softball

 The Grand Marais Park Board meets monthly and after those meeting WTIP’s Rhonda Silence sits down with Park and Recreation Manager Dave Tersteeg to learn more about happenings at the campground, marina, and other park areas overseen by the city.

That of course includes the Gunflint Hills Golf Course, a nine-hole municipal course open to everyone. Parks Manager Tersteeg said new Superintendent of Golf Paul Jones is now on the job.

The photo above shows the Gunflint Hills driving range on April 4 showing almost-green grass on the southwest corner in a sea of white.

Tersteeg also reported that the ball field at the Recreation Park is now snow-free, but he said he isn’t sure that the Cook County Vikings softball home opener will be played there on April 9. Tersteeg said he’s hopeful warmer weather will allow that first game to take place as planned.

Earth Day is April 22 and the Grand Marais Parks Department is celebrating early with a Beach Sweep and Clean Up on Saturday, April 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone interested in taking part is invited to meet at Harbor Park in downtown Grand Marais.

The Parks Department will provide trash bags and gloves and there are a number of fun prizes, for whoever collects the most trash, the most unusual trash found and so on.

Tersteeg said the parks department is also working on a citizen tree planting effort. The parks department is working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to plant 200 trees. One-hundred trees were planted last year, so another 100 will be planted this year. Tersteeg said “stay tuned” for more information on that opportunity.

Finally, Tersteeg reminded Grand Marais citizens that there is still a vacancy on the Grand Marais Park Board. Anyone interested in serving on that board is encouraged to stop by Grand Marais City Hall to apply or call 218-387-1848 for more information.