Few Gathered to Discuss Ironwood's Walking/Biking Trail System

IRONWOOD, MI - Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - Last night's Trail/Bikeway Town Hall meeting held at 6:00 PM in the Women's Club Room of the Ironwood Memorial Building, was sparsely attended by the general public. At the meeting were two City Commissioners -- Tom Laabs and Suzanne Toth; two City Staff members -- Community Development Director Dan Petersen who conducted the meeting and City Manager Scott Erickson; two Parks & Recreation Committee members -- Sam Davey and John Wyssling;  and two Downtown Ironwood Development Authority members -- Jackie Powers and Steve Frank. Representing the press were Ironwood Daily Globe reporter, Ralph Ansami; IronwoodInfo.com webmaster Lou Bonagura; and yours truly.

Basically, Dan Petersen displayed the map above that shows the existing trails and the proposed ones. The yellow trails are currently established in Ironwood. The red lines represent the new trails that are either yet to be signed; yet to be blazed; or are proposed for the future.

Very few negative public comments were received. The few people who originally spoke out against the walking trail soon were soon agreeing with the idea. For one thing the trail system is not costing the City a penny. New sections that need to be blazed will be done by volunteers. The cost of the signs will be donated to the City. And the legwork has been done by volunteers of the Parks and Rec committee.

Two concerns were brought up last night, however, and they were immediately addressed: failed health on the trail... will help be able to find anyone hurting themselves on the trails?; and the second one was concerning whether or not dogs would be permitted on the trail system. Most people in the audience agreed that these problems were minor concerns and would not be affect the further development of the trail.

Dan Petersen told the small gathering that community involvement is necessary in order for this and other City projects to succeed. That, in my opinion, will be the biggest hurdle to overcome.