Snowshoers Experience Miners' Memorial Heritage Park Trail

 

IRONWOOD, MI - Monday, January 26, 2009 - A subcommittee of the City of Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee is soon to recommend a unique memorial to Ironwood’s mining heritage in the form of recreational green space proposed as “Miners’ Memorial Heritage Park.” Official presentation of the subcommittee’s recommendations will occur at the regular meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee in the Memorial Building at 6 pm on February 2nd, 2009. The public is encouraged to attend. Located in the subsidence or “Caves” area of the city, the park would encompass the former locations of the Ashland, Aurora, Norrie and Pabst mines. On December 1, 2008 the City of Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee authorized a subcommittee to work with the public to develop recommendations to develop a recreational trail plan within the City of Ironwood. The “Caves” or subsidence area of Ironwood was a natural location to focus the trails project because a “skeletal” trail network is already in existence in the location of former mining footpaths and rail grades. This area is largely undeveloped green space currently zoned “open.” The zoning is compatible with recreational use. The subcommittee found that as they met, developed and discussed a City trails initiative, the historical significance of the “Caves” area was brought to life and has now become a focal point of the subcommittee’s vision. The Miners’ Memorial Heritage Park proposes to unify recreation, education and history to not only appeal to “outdoor buffs” but also to memorialize those that toiled underground in the darkness so future generations could live in the light.

Subcommittee members led snowshoe trips in the proposed Miners’ Memorial Heritage Park area on both Saturday and Sunday to share project plans. Twenty-eight people had the opportunity to snowshoe on existing trails while learning about Ironwood’s historic mining heritage. The Miners’ Memorial Heritage Park plan includes non-motorized recreational trails for summer and winter use, a mining memorial, interpretive signage, a dog park and picnic areas. The Miners’ Memorial Heritage Park trail system proposes connections to points of interest, parks and most neighborhoods throughout Ironwood. The plan recognizes the potential to connect Ironwood to neighboring towns via a non-motorized trail system. The project is proposed for construction largely using volunteer efforts and grant dollars.