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Caves
Aren’t Just for Bears |
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Ironwood - February 8,
2009
The Parks and Recreation Committee took one
more step this week that will bring the long
anticipated “Trails Plan” closer to reality.
There’s still along way to go before
residents realize the enjoyment of exploring
our community on bike and walking trails.
However, thus past Wednesday marked a
significant step forward. |
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| above - Lilly Palmer, a
member of the trails subcommittee presented
her committee's findings and proposal to the
Ironwood Planning Committee. The
Subcommittee members recently made snowshoe
excursions tha brought 28 people to the
proposed sight. |
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| The Planning Commission
accepted the report of the Parks and
Recreation Committee which recommends the
development of a “Miner’s Memorial Heritage
Park." Approval by the Ironwood
Planning Commission paves the way for the
proposal to go to before the City
Commission. The report was approved earlier
in the week by the Parks and Recreation.
The Miner’s Memorial Heritage Park will
be part of the trails system planned for
Ironwood. The memorial park will be located
in the cave's area and will take users to
four former mining sites: Ashland, Aurora,
Norrie and Pabst mines.
The proposed trail system will ultimately
tie into the Bessemer Trail System.
The Heritage Memorial Park will be one of
several “loops” planned for the extensive
trail system which will include hiking,
biking and skiing trails. Segments of the
trail system will be designated “Multi-use”
. The system will also include a Dog Park
and Picnic Areas.
The Dog Park, where dogs can run free is
planned for a fenced area along Frenchtown
Road. It is the site of the old city dump
now used by a model airplane club. |
| In response to a funding question by
commission member John Kasieta,
commisioner Sam Davey told Kasieta that
grant money would cover these costs. When
asked by Kasieta if grants money was
available? Davey resonded “yes”. Davey went
on to tell the commission that the Parks
Committee was already looking into potential
grants. |
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Dan Peterson, City Development Director,
pointed out that while grants are available
they usually require matching funds. The
city has already been turned down for one
grant requests.
Davey told the group that “No tax money
would be spent on the Trail System. It is
hoped that all the work on the trail system
would be accomplished through volunteers.
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A motion was made by Jackie
Powers to accept the resolution. Jackie’s
motion was seconded and approved by a
unanimous vote.
The park proposal will now be considered by
the city commission at a workshop scheduled
for Feb. 17th.
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