Friend flock to Miner's Memorial Heritage Park for evening event

IRONWOOD - The candlelight snowshoe and ski at the Miner's Memorial Heritage Park drew more than 175 people into the chilly night air to spend some quiet moments on the softly lit trail Saturday evening.

A combination of real and battery operated candle luminaries lit the 1-mile Aurora loop and a small bonfire was lit to warm those returning from the trail. Inside the garage snowshoers and skiers were treated to cookies and warm drinks.

The snowshoe event was the last fundraiser of the year for the Friend's of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park. The FMMHP purchased a used Grizzly snowmachine in early 2014. The new machine replaced a snowmobile and has dramatically cut down the time it takes for volunteers to groom the trails.

"The main use of the funds is to keep the trail open, to maintain the trail and gas costs for the Grizzly," Paul Kostelnik, president of the FMMHP, said. "It cost used $8,000 and we got it about half paid right now, so some of these monies will go towards paying off the Grizzly."

The new year will bring an exciting event to the park. The 2k, 5k and 10k snowshoe events held during the Sisu Ski Fest will take place at the park in January.

Also in late January, the FMMHP will send out a public survey as part of the planning process to develop a master plan for the park to tie into the city's comprehensive plan.

"Our survey will use the same system the city used for the surveys they sent out when they were doing their comprehensive plan." Kostelnik said. "They will mainly be online survey but can be available as a handout or mailed. We will also have some public forums so people will have a chance to come and submit their input."

According to Kostelnik, the survey will have information about possible development of the park and will give the public a chance to weigh in on the direction the park will take. Some ideas for development include a mountain bike trail and tent camping space.

"The plan is to develop the park into a regional park. To find a way to get people to turn off U.S. 2 to come enjoy the park." Kostelnik said.