Miners Memorial Heritage Park Under Siege

EDITORIAL - by Jackie Powers - Saturday, August 15, 2009 - On February 17th the Ironwood City Commission passed a resolution calling for “a not-for-profit group to be formed to guide the development and maintenance of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park.” The Friends of the MMHP formed with the hope of becoming that group. But we now find our mission threatened.

Last week the city commission passed a motion to authorize ATV/motorized recreational vehicles on ALL trails within the Caves, and to confine them to the Caves.

Commissioner Toth prefaced the motion by expressing her disappointment that certain groups are not willing to share. The Friends believe there are many safer ways to share. This action forces Sr. citizens, for example, to walk on trails with ATVs. The Seniors we’ve talked to don’t want to share in this manner. Same for families with children. The collision between two boys, one on a bicycle and one on a dirt bike earlier this summer shows this type of sharing is dangerous. Commissioners Toth, Laabs, and Mayor Noren have effectively closed off the Caves trails to many of our residents. At the meetings we attended, we were sobered to hear representatives of the motorized sports groups repeatedly state they would continue to ride wherever they wanted. Since then, a fence posted “No Trespassing” on private property has been run down by ATVs, and those who perpetuated this crime boldly admitted it in public. (See photos.) How is this an attitude of sharing?

We believe ATV policy for the City of Ironwood is a matter of public debate, that all discussion should take place in an open forum with the city commission and the general public. We declined an invitation to attend a closed meeting with only representatives from the Friends and motorized sports clubs. Commissioner Toth labeled this a withdrawal. We view it as following protocol when considering a new City ordinance.

The Friends exist to advocate for the proposed park. We are not representatives of all “silent sport” users, nor elected officials. We attended all meetings with the City at which “best use of the Caves“ was the topic. We still believe the MMHP is the best use.

A proposal for the MMHP was presented to the City through appropriate channels and approved at every juncture. ATV groups have to this day presented NO proposal to the City in a public forum.

Commissioner Toth directed city staff “to identify salable portions of city-owned property (in the Caves), and obtain appraisals for that property, and once those appraisals are obtained, to see that property offered for sale.”

Part of the land at risk for sale is the parcel adjacent to and on the Pabst Mine disaster site, and the site where we propose to erect a memorial to the people of the area who built our communities. Honoring our heritage has struck a chord with area residents, even those unconcerned with any recreation at all.

Without non-motorized trails, without any sizable land, without a memorial, we feel there is nothing left of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park for its Friends to develop. Ownership of the proposed park rests with the citizens of the City of Ironwood. They should not sit back and let this opportunity to create something new pass us by.

Jackie Powers, President
Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park
Ironwood, MI
847-533-2390