Parks & Recreation Discuss Norrie Park Pavilion & Multi-Use Trails

IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, September 11, 2009 - The Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee (IP&RC) met in the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building, 213 South Marquette Street, Wednesday evening.

The meeting was originally scheduled to meet in the Womens' Club Room, however that room was not available to a scheduling conflict.

IP&RC Chairman Sam Davey called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Recording of the roll was done by Community Development Director Dan Petersen. Members of the Committee present included: Chairman Sam Davey; Marion True; John Wyssling; Marcy Kusz; Annette Burchell; and Kathy Dishaw. Eric Lytwyniuk; Laura Thomas; and Scott Stephens were absent.

The approval of Minutes from August 3, 2009 took place immediately following the recording of the roll. After briefly examining the Meeting Minutes, the Committee unanimously voted to approve them.

Citizens wishing to address the Committee on Items on the Agenda were given a chance to do so. No citizen wished to exercise that right.

Dan Petersen briefly took over the meeting in order to conduct the election of  a new IP&RC Chairperson. Current Chairman, Sam Davey, was the only nominee for the position, and the IP&RC voted unanimously to re-elect him.

The position of Vice-Chairperson was reluctantly accepted by Marion True, and the Commission unanimously approved True as the new Vice-Chairperson.

Marcy Kusz was nominated as Secretary. She tried desperately to deny the position, but the Committee strong-armed her into accepting. In so doing, she unknowingly agreed to purchase and deliver pizza to the next regular monthly meeting to be held at Norrie Park. The Committee voted unanimously to elect Kusz as the IP&RC Secretary.

Kiwanis Club member Jim Mildren addressed the Committee to discuss the Club's role in the  Comprehensive Plan for Norrie Park. Mildren pointed out that the Kiwanis has funded virtually every improvement done in the park for the past 85 years -- the picnic tables, the current pavilion, and each spring Club pays for supplies for Norrie School students to rake and clean up the park.

According to Mildren, back in the 1930's Judge Zinn recommended to the Club that they purchase the 30 acres across the river (in Wisconsin) from Norrie Park to prevent anyone from developing or building on it. The Club deeded the land to the City of Ironwood.

"It's one of our priorities," Mildren said, "We all grew up playing there! We love Norrie Park!"

Mildren told the Committee that the Club recently donated $1,000 for the creation of new volleyball courts at the park. He reminded the Committee that a Comprehensive Plan for Norrie Park was created about ten years ago. Mildren said most of the goals listed in the plan were accomplished. Back then a DNR Grant provided funds for the fishing piers and the walking trails throughout the park. He noted that the City partnering with ABR was a step in the right direction as well.

He asked the Committee to consider the construction of a new pavilion. He said the Kiwanis would put up $1000 towards the project. He explained that other area parks have recently added pavilions with cooking facilities and restrooms, and he proposed a similar project for Norrie Park. Mildren said the Club's suggestion isn't to eliminate the current pavilion. They would prefer to build a second building. He said they would like the new structure to be as nice as Bessemer's Bluff View Pavilion or Wakefield's Sunday Lake Pavilion, including cooking equipment and restrooms.

Mildren said the City could rent out the new facility for various events. He said the old pavilion could remain open for free use on a first-come, first-serve basis. Mildren said the Club's hope is that the City will apply for DNR grant money to fund the construction of a new pavilion.

Mildren said that church groups have had to go to Little Girl's Point for their picnics because there aren't adequate facilities at Norrie Park. John Wyssling pointed out that the Rotary supports that pavilion. Mildren said the facility is wonderful, but it is too far for many of the older church members to travel. He said the facility could be rented out for weddings and if it was planned well, it could be used from early spring until late fall -- or even beyond. He suggested, with the Park's association with ABR Trails, that the new pavilion could be used as a place for skiers to gather to warm up. Wyssling asked if a stone fireplace or something of that nature couldn't be incorporated into the construction. Mildren said it would be a very good addition to the facility.

Marion True asked if it would be possible to convert the currently unused tennis courts at the park into volleyball courts. Marcy Kusz said it would only be possible if the existing asphalt were removed. She said simply placing sand over the asphalt would not allow for proper drainage.

Annette Burchell told the Committee that she believed the pavilion with public restrooms was a very good idea. She said the Committee was considering the possibility of putting restrooms at Longyear, but she suggested that Norrie Park would be a much better choice for such a facility. She pointed out that the City can't do it all, and that Norrie Park was the best place for the Committee to concentrate their efforts, especially considering that an generous organization such as the Kiwanis was willing to assist the City's efforts. She pointed out that the Kiwanis organization has been very generous to the City and the citizens of Ironwood.

Sam Davey suggested that the IP&RC hold it's next meeting, on Monday, October 5th, at Norrie Park. He suggested that Kiwanis members and other interested people could attend and a preliminary plan could be worked out on site. After a brief discussion, it was decided that the next meeting would be moved from 6:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the park.

Following the Park presentation, Marcy Kusz and Kathy Dishaw had to excuse themselves due to other prior engagements. Once they left, the Committee no longer had a quorum, so the meeting could continue, but no action could be taken.

Chairman Davey began to discuss motorized and non-motorized recreational uses in the City of Ironwood.

Davey asked if any of the Committee members read Wednesday's paper. He explained that there was an article in the Globe about the City of Bessemer's City Council meeting. He began reading a portion of the article.

"The Council also heard from Jim Rouse," Davey explained that Rouse has attended many of the Miners Memorial Park Meetings, "Who proposed a non-motorized trail system within Bessemer. 'Other area's have built trails and they have done very well!' Rouse told the Council. Rouse handed out a map to the Council that showed a ten mile loop of trails. Rouse said that people wouldn't have to walk the entire loop, but could, instead, access the trails from different points around the City."

"Sound familiar?" Davey asked the Committee, and then he continued to quote the article,"'They are a great tourist attractions,' Rouse said added that without attractions like a trail system, Bessemer will not be able to sustain itself. 'We cannot continue to go the way we are going, and survive.'"

"Council member Pete Matonich said that he supported the idea of a trail system but mentioned that land ownership could be a problem. He also expressed concern for the seven bridges that the proposed trail would cross saying that some of them were in serious disrepair. Councilman Ron Carpenedo said that he would also support the system as long as it didn't block motorized trails. 'Bessemer's motorized trails are a draw for tourists too!' Carpenedo pointed out. He also said that the trails shouldn't be shared because of the potential danger and suggested that Rouse look into Hurley for examples of non-motorized and motorized trails."

After reading the article Davey said, "Exactly what we've been trying to do that we've been shot down at every turning point we have!"

Annette Burchell told the Committee that she met Mr. Rouse at the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park fair booth, and she wanted to point out that Rouse recently moved back to the area, and is an avid ATV user. She said that he made it very clear that motorized trails and non-motorized trails needed to be separate.

Wyssling said that the wishes of both needed to be respected. He received no comments to the contrary. The entire Committee agreed. Wyssling suggested that the IP&RC Committee goes back to the City Council with a recommendation that the City streets be opened up for ATV use for the sole purpose of getting to the designated trails. He said, once that has been accomplished then a sensible plan needs to be developed that designates which trails will be motorized and which ones will be non-motorized. He said having designated trails will make it easy to officially enforce the law.

Dan Petersen told Wyssling that the City Commission has examined the 'Caves' area and directives were given to City staff to take actions on the area. He said the next step in the process is waiting for appraisals and establishing property values of the "Caves" parcels.

Davey said he has established a plan that he would like to propose to the City Commission. Davey suggested that a letter be sent from the Parks and Recreation Committee to the City Commission. He read the letter he drafted to the IP&RC:

"The Parks and Rec Committee would like to state that we are in favor of making the SISU Ski Race Trail non-motorized everywhere that is not on a current trail used by ATVs. Reason #1 - This trail can be used during the winter for cross country skiers and snowshoers and it would not be safe to be having snowmobiles use the same trail. This also holds true for summers. It can be used by bikers and hikers and contrary to what has been said you cannot have motorized and non-motorized using the same trail as it is just not safe. Reason #2 - If ATVs are allowed to use the race course as a trail it will get torn up and it will have to be fixed yearly in order to have the SISU Ski Race. This is an added cost to the Race Committee and added work that is not needed if it were to be a non-motorized trail. The trail has to be kept smooth and as flat as possible in order to have a great race."

Davey then highlighted a map showing what areas are currently designated for motorized use and which areas are designated for non-motorized use. He went on to suggest proposing an ATV park on three 40 acre lots located along the southern rail grade. In the photos above, orange maker represents motorized use areas, and gree designates non-motorized.

Davey said, and the Committee agreed, that a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan needs to be established that designates separate trails for motorized use and non-motorized use. He suggested that City streets be opened to ATV and snowmobile use. This would enable police to property regulate illegal activities and violations. According to State law, if a City chooses to open a City street to ATV or ORV use, an ordinance would need to be passed; the street would need to be signed designating it open for such use; and all traffic laws would need to be obeyed -- just like any other vehicle on the road. Age restrictions would be in place; ATV or ORV registrations would be required; only legal drivers would be allowed to use the streets; insurance and proper brake lighting, etc. would be required.

The Committee agreed that something needs to be formally done. One of the suggestions was to re-examine the needs of the citizens. It was suggested that a new recreational poll be taken to see what the majority of citizens would favor, and what they feel are important issues for the City to participate in. Since there was no quorum, no official action could be taken, but the issues will be readdressed at the next IP&RC meeting.