Fitness stations on trails considered

By TOM LAVENTURE

[email protected]

Ironwood — Discussion at the Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee on Monday included the potential for adding fitness equipment stations along walking trails.

In his presentation on Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant application ideas for 2021, Tom Bergman, director of community development for the city of Ironwood, said fitness equipment for the Iron Belle Trail or other trails could be an upgrade to attract more and different types of trail users. The presentation was for the committee to consider priority projects before the Trust Fund grant application deadline in April.

Bergman said his discussion with city manager Scott Erickson led to the fitness station idea. There could be 10-to-15 different stations along the trail to do various exercises and Erickson suggested they be named in honor of the late Gary Engstrom as a way to commemorate his life that was dedicated to fitness based recreation. 

“This is common in other communities and the costs vary,” Bergman said.

If the committee approved the next step would be to apply for the grant while simultaneously raising as much money as possible to provide a high match, he said. The Trust Fund has consistently approved 100% funding for projects under $500,000 and the goal would be to get the best project possible under that amount.

“It’s inevitably up to the city commission but your recommendation is also very important for that process as well,” Bergman said.

Sam Davey, committee chair, asked Bergman to present cost estimates for various types of stations at the February meeting. Bergman said he would also include a rough layout of what the stations would look like.

“It does sound like a very good idea,” Davey said. 

Linda Jindrich, committee vice chair, expressed some concern that the exercise stations are placed off the trail enough to avoid impeding walkers and bicyclists. She said the committee should also weigh the value of a summertime only with all-year projects.

Bergman said the stations would be off the trail on small concrete pads that are likely near existing benches. 

Tom Kangas, committee member, suggested that rest areas near Bessemer might make a more ideal location. Bergman said that it might be preferable to have the Gogebic Range Trail Authority be the grant applicant in order to place stations on the trail outside of Ironwood.

Jindrich said there may be more strategic locations to capture the interest of people who want full body workouts to gather in parks or other locations than a trail. 

“If you spread it out too far (on a trail) then you are going to lose the idea of a full-body workout,” she said.

There are companies that provide all-in-one fitness stations for one location that also provide grant funding to help pay for the equipment, Bergman said. The interest is to get it established in communities and bring in instructors for events.

“Those facilities are substantially more expensive but they are nice,” he said.

The difference for single location stations is that more space is needed, he said. The equipment could be placed in area parks but there is significance to having it near the Iron Belle Trail, he said.

Davey suggested Miners Heritage Memorial Park. He said stations could be along the trail at many different spots. Kangas suggested undeveloped properties along the Frederick Street corridor to the high school.

The committee approved its list of 2021 goals that included a playground priority list; a workshop with the city commission; a parks and recreation users summit; a review of invasive species grant opportunities; parks volunteer coordination and database; lighted ski trails at Miners Park; and development of easement to connect the Phase 2 Beltline Trail to Miners Park.

Bergman said the list is small because to focus on what is possible to achieve. The community development office will also be busier than usual with four large Trust Fund grants to include the Beltline acquisition, Curry Park upgrade and the Miners Park bike trail. The next six months will also be busy with the zoning ordinance revision and the application process for the adult-use marijuana establishments, he said.

“We are trying to be somewhat realistic in terms of what we can accomplish,” Bergman said. “If you are getting the sense that the 2021 goals are a little bit light that may be the case but if there is something important you feel is important to add to this list then I encourage you to add them.”

Kangas said he’d like to see work continue to install 1.9 miles of solar or standard electric  lighting to the Aurora Loop at Miners Park. Bergman said the project is in the parks plan and current cost estimates are approximately $150,000 to $175,000 per mile of trail.

“We could work toward putting together a conceptual plan for a potential location and where the lights would go,” Bergman said. 

Kangas also wanted to see discussion with Xcel Energy about an easement through the Ashland-Ironwood Transmission Line to connect with Miners Park. Bergman said the Phase 2 construction of the Southern Beltline Trail might provide the alternative connection and his office is finalizing bids for the mountain bike trail development in the park and upgrades to Curry Park with a goal to complete construction this summer.

With all the improvements to Miners Park and its growing popularity, Davey said the time has come to consider moving the motorized trails to the outside loops of the park so they don’t intersect with non-motorized activity inside. He asked that the matter be placed on the next meeting agenda.

Other discussion included the proposed playground north of U.S. 2. Responding to recommendations for various types of equipment, Bergman said he would solicit information and cost estimates from companies based on proposed park location, size, terrain and intended age groups.