TOWER— About 15 people came to the civic center here on Thursday night to weigh-in on different options for walking connections and potential recreational improvements around the city’s train depot and mini-park. The city is looking for input as it works to finalize a plan for ongoing and future improvements around the civic center, train depot, and mini-park, as well as connecting trails to the harbor and Hoodoo Point.
Grant funding from the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) is, among other things, paying for site design for the overall project, some of which is currently funded, some of which will be dependent on future grants. Current funding includes $461,900 from the IRRR, which is slated for repaving a portion of Main Street that will provide improved road and trail access to a new canoe and kayak launch and trailhead kiosk on the East Two River. The launch and trailhead project, which include a paved trail connection between the harbor and Hoodoo Point, is being funded with $600,000 from the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources, or LCCMR .
About $250,000 of the IRRR funds are earmarked for the installation of a so-called “green flush” toilet somewhere near the civic center, but that concept ran into questions about whether it was a good use of funds. Victoria Ranua noted that the civic center already has bathrooms and that the city had recently invested in security doors there to allow for bathroom accessibility.
There were plenty of alternative uses proposed for the funds. Among the options being considered is an expansion of the existing playground at the city’s mini-park. Local resident Amy Banks suggested installation of a splash pad, which is like a mini-water park with spraying water accompanied by other climbing devices and toys. The pads, which have become very popular in many communities, eliminate the risk of drowning because they have little or no standing water. Others present at the meeting said they were familiar with splash pads and expressed support for the idea, although the cost of such an installation is unclear.
Others suggested moving forward with the welcome park that had been designed for the open area on the west side of the civic center. Others suggested covering a portion of the area with a roof to allow for picnic tables or a place for the farmer’s market.
How much of the IRRR funds will actually be available for bathroom facilities or other improvements will be dependent on what’s left after ongoing work for the kayak launch and trailhead project is completed. The contractor on the project has run into more soft soils than expected, among other problems, and Tower City Clerk-Treasurer Michael Schultz said the project has gone significantly over-budget. He said the city and contractor have been making adjustments along the way to try to keep costs in line, so it’s not clear what the final expenses will be. That means some of the IRRR funds could be used to pay for completion of that project, which would limit what’s available for other improvements in the vicinity.