Bluff Valley Park has expanded trail links

By P.J. GLISSON

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Bessemer - Members of the Bessemer parks and recreation commission were grateful to learn Thursday of new trail links that connect to an existing path behind the city's Bluff Valley Park.

With the help of a photo slide show, Kelden Witt, of Bessemer, reported about the new trail work he has accomplished since the city council approved the project last July.

Witt said he has nearly accomplished his goal to create new entry and exit trails that connect with the original path leading to the bluff behind the park. He said they will be great venues for both hiking and snowshoeing.

"This is amazing," said city manager Charly Loper. "Thank you for all your hard work."

"I didn't have to buy a rec membership," joked Witt, who used hand tools to do the labor. He said he is not sure of the exact length of the added trail footage, but will verify it and its coordinates with a GPS unit.

"We really appreciate what you did," added commission member Ron Zaleski.

Witt, who did 95 percent of the work himself, said he had some early assistance from someone who since has moved out of the area. Branden's Lawn Care in Bessemer also provided support, he said, adding the entire trail area will be graded.

"I think just having the trail there will open this up to future restoration projects," said Witt, who added the new entry trail starts past the park's playground area, beyond the other side of the footbridge there.

"I'd like to propose a formal commendation," said mayor pro tempore Allen Archie, who is also a commission member. He also recommended signs be placed at the trail's switchback areas to advise people to stay on the trail.

The commission voted to recommend a commendation to be given to Witt by the city council and also voted to finance the cost of wood and reflective paint so that John Matonich, of Bessemer, can make signs to be posted on trees.

After the meeting, Witt told The Globe his decision to create the trails manually was based on training he received while working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest.

"That's how I was taught to dig," he said, adding, "I was only interested in this project because it would require digging a trail on the side of a hill."

He said areas with buckthorn, an invasive species, "made it more difficult to dig," but said he managed to pull the growth out.

Witt said the original trail was created by Archie and local Boy Scouts. He said the trail should not be used for biking. "It was not designed for mountain bikes," he warned, claiming the switchbacks are too tight and the path too narrow.

Witt, who moved to Bessemer three years ago, said, "It's a good place to live." His map of the new trails is on the bulletin board outside of the Bessemer Public Library.

In other news, the commission also:

-Learned from Loper the Gogebic Range Health Foundation has provided a grant to cover the cost of a bike station near the Iron Belle trailhead in Bessemer. "So we'll be ordering that and hopefully installing it by the spring," said Loper.

-Voted to exchange its regular December meeting for a joint meeting with the city council and the downtown development authority on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. in the city hall auditorium. Loper said Bessemer's new status as a "redevelopment ready community," as certified by the state's Economic Development Corporation, requires an annual joint meeting "to make sure we're all working well together."