Farmers market considered for Ironwood's Depot Park

IRONWOOD — It’s likely a farmers market will be added to the attractions at Ironwood’s Depot Park, but not anytime soon.

City commissioners on Monday discussed the possibility of setting up a market with community development director Michael Brown.

“There are lots of opportunities out there,” Brown said of the park, which will serve as a trailhead for a statewide non-motorized trail, as well as a focal point for snowmobilers.

Brown said a city resident who moved here from Minnesota, Rich Duncanson, first brought up the possibility of a farmers market, which would be similar to the Iron County market in Hurley. That market operates two days a week.

The Downtown Ironwood Development Authority has embraced the idea, he said.

Brown said he has been making contacts about a market, including talking with University of Wisconsin-Extension staff members at the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley.

He said there are rules, regulations and licenses that would need to be formed before a market could open.

“There’s much background work to be done,” he said, but he indicated to the commission that a “trial run” at opening a market might be attempted by the end of the growing season.

In another park-related issue, the city commission considered articles of incorporation for the Michigan Western Gateway Trail Authority at Monday’s meeting. City manager Scott Erickson said the articles can’t be approved until they are published first.

“Everybody seems comfortable with them,” he said.

Other municipalities in the new trail authority, which will work to develop the non-motorized trail, are Bessemer, Wakefield, Bessemer Township, Wakefield Township and Ironwood Township.