May occupancy in the Grand Marais Recreation Park was up two percent over last May, said Park Manager Dave Tersteeg, who gave his manager’s report at the park board’s June 6 meeting.

“Our occupancy was 23 percent. It was 21 percent last year. That might not seem like a lot but three or four years ago our high was nine percent,” Tersteeg said.

Memorial Day was a record setter, with 103 check-ins on Friday, May 26. “These historically slow weekends are no longer the case. The park was nearly full out west,” added Tersteeg.

A lot of needed work was done in May. Nordic Electric completed electrical upgrades to 46 sites, which now feature 50/30/20 amp pedestals.

“Our crew has been outstanding performing large scale site restorations in difficult soils. The final zone sites in the 101W island will be restored this week,” Tersteeg said. 

More good news, said Tersteeg, “Summer help has been hired to staff the check-in desk and perform all of the necessary park maintenance and campground hosts Gary and Janet Radloff are back again this summer.”

Front desk attendants are Ronda Hubbard, Laurel Maruska, Haden Hinchman, Ron Wizykoski, and Hannah Curran. Maintenance staff includes Alex Murray, Riley Somnis, Caleb Phillips, Cameron Roy, Harris Mills, Mike Sassano, Jeff Iverson, Olga Iverson, and Dennis Moen.

Bruce Johnson of Lake Superior construction is busy installing new roofs on the pavilion and recreation halls. Johnson will put new roofs on bath house one, two and three, as well as the small garage by the park office. Tersteeg said that both bath houses two and three have, “aged to the point of replacement, and we should seriously consider the future of these bath houses in the next capital improvement planning session.”

Edwin E. Thoreson Inc. is promising to do the pavement overlays in the park, perhaps the week of June 26, said Tersteeg. 

Golf Course report

Mike Kunshier, Gunflint Hills Golf Course superintendent, came before the board with an update on the golf course.

Two greens that were somewhat damaged over the winter are now in good shape, said Kunshier. “All of the greens look good,” he said.

Currently 77 season passes have been sold. Last year 87 were purchased, and Kunshier thinks that when more people return from their winter destinations, there will be more total season passes sold this year than last.

Tersteeg said that “Joe” from Canada came down to his office and told him that the greens at Gunflint Hills were better than the high-end golf course greens in Thunder Bay. Mike said that “Joe” plays the course quite a bit and he appreciated the compliment.

The meeting wrapped up fairly early. As Tersteeg noted, “The busy time of year is here.”