By Dawn Buck on Mar 19, 2025 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Next meeting April 15; Park Point “Alley of Allies” in support of MMIWR- information is here
Summer Camp for Kids Ages 7-12: Contact Carolyn Kerns at camplafayetteparkpoint@gmail.com with questions about camp. Slots will fill quickly, don’t delay!
Walking Audit with City Transportation Planner, James Gittemeier, Saturday, April 26, noon, meet at Franklin Park.
By Dawn Buck on Jan 23, 2025 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on PPCC Meeting 3/18: MMIWR presentation, youth program, City Transportation guest & more!
PPCC meeting Tuesday 3/18, 7pm; come over to Lafayette at 645pm to check in with neighbors and have a cookie and a coffee. If you have not joined or rejoined for 2025, bring the form and see the president or vice president to pay your dues and get on member roster.
March 18 Meeting Agenda in person, volunteers are offering a Zoom link to hear what is happening at the meeting, details below and on the agenda notes here.
5/18 meeting will include information on MMIWR and how Park Pointers can show support on May 5 with the Red Dress Campaign. Neighbor Lisa M. is rescheduled from last month and will be sharing information with us on how Park Pointers might engage with this movement. Resources here, check back for more details.
Zoom link for the meetings, third Tuesdays of the month. Meeting will be held in person at Lafayette with limited participation via Zoom. Thank you to volunteers who facilitate this access.
Camp Lafayette 2025 is looking like a go! Neighbor Carolyn K. will lead the program and share her plans for this summer’s camp. The details on signing up for camp will be posted after this meeting. PPCC membership will vote on supporting tuition scholarships for this program. Want to volunteer to help with the summer program? Email parkpointcc@gmail.com. Questions on the program? Call Rory Strange.
James Gittemeier, City of Duluth Senior Transportation Planner, will join us to talk about a Park Point Walking Audit we are planning for late April, tentative date is Saturday, April 26. We will talk about what data we will want to collect and what we want to accomplish, have neighbors sign up and participate. We’d also like to talk about the possibility of painting the recreation lane and the next steps we can take to move forward with this project. We have invited James to come back to the May meeting on 5/20 to talk about Railroad Street Project, Lift Bridge Project & traffic calming ideas. There will be public informational meetings to attend re. the projects.
2/24 Skating season is wrapping up with the warm temps. Please removes items from the rinks after use!
2025Summer Youth Program at Lafayette: We are finalizing the details for Camp Lafayette 2025! Registration details will be posted soon! Check back for more information.
Emergency services questions and what can Park Pointers do to reduce risks and promote safety?Letter for the city is here.
From neighbors Lisa and Otto on an opportunity continuing at Lafayette on Sunday mornings- starts 2/23, $5 donation per session (or $60 for the whole 13 weeks), contact Lisa at lulu@cpinternet.com to learn more, share ideas and sign up.
“Mindfulness Meditation:Sunday Practice Is Back for Spring. I will be leading, drawing from my 2-year training in Insight Meditation with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. Otto Johnson will be co-leader, helping support our gatherings. Join us! Please share this information, classes are open to the public.
Sundays, February 23rd – May 18th
9am-10am at Lafayette community center on Park Point,3026 Minnesota Ave., Duluth, MN Each session will include:
a teaching from within Insight Meditation tradition
meditation practice
dialogue with others
The first three weeks we’ll cover the foundational lessons of mindfulness of breath and body; mindfulness of thoughts; and mindfulness of emotions. Then we can move on to new territory—equanimity, self-forgiveness, pain, joy, anger, right effort, and more.”
Hello,My name is Lisa Weidemann, and I am a community affairs specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).The MPCA is hosting public forums on mercury in the St. Louis River Watershed, and I thought your groups may be interested in attending.MPCA researchers will talk about how mercury moves through the watershed and fish, and we’ll have time for Q&A. This work supports a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study that is in-progress.
The first date will be February 26th, from 3 – 5 p.m. at Minnesota North College – Eveleth Campus Atrium, at 1100 Industrial Parkway, Eveleth.
The second date is February 27th, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Amphitheater, at 2101 14th St. in Cloquet.
Content for the two event dates will be the same, so no need to attend both.I’ve also attached a flyer with event details that you are welcome to print and share.
Please feel free to reach out with questions.
Thanks,
Lisa Weidemann| Community Affairs Specialist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400 | Duluth, MN | 55802, 218-302-6637
Rinkfest: Thank you to the Kuzel family, Bob Boynton, rink crew plus event planners and volunteers who worked on & hosted at Rinkfest 2025 on Sunday 2/2. Thank you to Club members who donated the food and beverages plus a big thank you to the Lafayette Community Edible Gardeners for providing the delicious treats! Photos are here. Great to see neighbors connecting and enjoying a return to winter with the snowfall arriving just in time for the celebration. A shout out to neighbors who brought over snowblowers and shovels and helped get ready for the event!
2025Summer Youth Program at Lafayette: Please contact Rory Strange with questions. A Request for Proposals with details and contact information is here. Volunteers to serve on the Youth Committee & support the program are needed. Contact VP Tom Griggs if you are willing to help! We are planning to have a decision in early March on whether or not a summer program will start in June!
By Dawn Buck on Nov 28, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on PPCC Membership Pizza Party Tuesday Jan. 21, 630pm, meeting at 7pm in person at Lafayette with Zoom option; Rinkfest set for 2/2 noon to 3pm
The pizza will be served at 630pm. Thank you to the hospitality committee for organizing this celebration! Agenda notes here.
Zoom link for the meetings, third Tuesdays of the month.
Topic: Park Point Community Club Zoom
Time: 1/21/2025 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Every month on the Third Tuesdays, 36 occurrence(s)
1/15 Hockey Night on Park Point, Wednesday from 630 till 9pm. We will have both rinks ready and the Wild game on the radio in the warming house. We can bring Pizza and some beverages.
We will plan on flooding Tuesday night 1/12.
Thanks!
PS. Thanks to Bob Boynton for plowing the pleasure rink! Mark your calendars for Rinkfest to celebrate winter and our community! Sunday 2/2 noon to 3pm with food, fires and fun!
1/17 Pottery Reunion to Celebrate an 85th Birthday!
12/31 Tuesday and Happy New Year’s Eve! : Rinks are ready! Thank you to Bob B. and Brad K. for rink prep. and maintenance! Mark your calendars for Rinkfest on Sunday, Feb. 2, noon to 3pm
Support Minnesota Point 50; Year-end fundraising is underway!
It’s December in Duluth and Minnesota Point is as beautiful as ever. Snow, ice, wind and massive lakers all grace this unique sandbar that is home to deer, beavers, eagles, the occasional bear, and a few humans.
Minnesota Point 50 (MP50) is working hard to make sure this December scene exists 50 years from now, and we need your help.
In the next year we are planning several actions that will impact the resiliency of our beloved Minnesota Point. Your gift today will help:
Fund a Recreational Visitors Guide to educate the 1 million visitors annually to help us protect Minnesota Point.
Underwrite research on Dune Restoration to ensure a strong and healthy ecosystem.
Create a Minnesota Point Coastal Resiliency Education Series to engage all residents and businesses in learning how to care for Minnesota Point.
to support our work to protect Minnesota Point for generations to come.
Four ways to give:
Give by Check: o Make checks payable to: Minnesota Point 50 o Send to: Minnesota Point 50, P.O. Box 16326, Duluth, MN 55816-0326 o For tribute gifts: Include a note with your check or email us at minnesotapoint50@gmail.com
Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): Contact the treasurer, Charlene Roise, minnesotapoint50@gmail.com
Donate Stock or Securities (without using a DAF): Contact the treasurer, Charlene Roise, minnesotapoint50@gmail.com
12/15 Sunday: Please stay off the hockey rink, it should be ready again on Tuesday 12/17.
It’s OK to skate on the pleasure rink on the field. Thank you to the rink tenders and best for a great day!
12/11/2024 Presentation for the Parks Commissioners
“During each of our Parks and Recreation Commission meetings, we try to invite a community group to share a brief overview of their organization and activities, which helps our Commissioners better understand the uses of our park system. We typically allot about 10 minutes for presentation and up to an additional 10 for Q&A with the Commission. While a public meeting, there is not Q&A with the general public in attendance, it is an informational presentation to the Commission.”
Wednesday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 330 (third floor of City Hall)
Reminder: No regular meeting of the PPCC in December, Jan. 21 is the membership pizza party! 630pm pizza, 7pm meeting.
Sat. Nov. 30 Big thanks to rink volunteer Brad Kuzel and the ice mentors for facilitating the hockey rink on the basketball court. The pleasure rink is in the creation process.
The hockey rink is ready for kids and please see the expectations for rink use and have fun!
December 1, 2024 the hearing aids in the bag were found and returned to the owner! Thank you to everyone who was looking for these lost items!
Please call Marie M at 218-340-4952 , her neighbor George is missing his hearing aids that are in this bag.
Nov. 28. Hi Neighbors,
The plastic bag was left on top of a car that drove away on PP, maybe near 36th.
The bag could be on Minnesota Ave or Lake Ave on Park Point.
By Dawn Buck on Nov 21, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on No PPCC Meeting in December; Check out the Garden Potluck on Dec. 9th & this luminary hike sponsored by City Parks and Recreation on Dec. 19th
Lafayette Edible Garden Potluck Holiday Potluck, Mon. Dec. 9th from 6-8pm, upstairs at Lafayette
Solstice Luminary Hike,Thursday, December 19
Enger Golf Course
5-8pm
“Free and Free Hot Chocolate and Free hanging out around a campfire.
Easy hike, hike at your own pace and show up whenever you want between 5-8pm.
Welcome winter with a self-guided, candle-lit walk! Drop in anytimebetween 5-8 p.m. Start from the Enger Park Golf Course Clubhouse and follow the luminaries along a snow stomped path. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as you welcome in longer days ahead!
Limited parking; please carpool. Trail will be less than a mile, and conditions will vary based on weather leading up to the event. Event updates will be posted on our social media pages.
Free, all ages
Location: Enger Park Golf Course 1801 W Skyline Pkwy”
Next PPCC Meeting is on Tuesday January 21 2025 for the membership drive pizza party, 630pm, meeting starts at 7pm
By Dawn Buck on Nov 5, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on November PPCC meeting is Tuesday, 11/19, 7pm; Zoom option, see link below
We will meet in person at Lafayette on Tuesday, Nov. 19th. The PPCC Exec. Bod meets at 6pm; Neighbors Connect starting at 645pm and the monthly meeting starts at 7pm.
The materials below are from the recent, Oct. 29, 2024, Section 111 public meeting at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Conference Room in Duluth, Minnesota. The meeting was hosted by the City of Duluth on the USACE Section 111 (CAP) Study of Minnesota Point. The focus of this meeting included a project update by USACE and a report on the ongoing modeling studies of sediment transport by Barr Bergmann Engineering.
October 29, 2024, USACE Section 111 Minnesota Point, Handout Materials (Prepared by USACE)
The third Section 111 public meeting on the modeling studies is expected at the beginning of next year. Once it is scheduled an announcement to this MP50 email list will be sent out.
Thank you for your interest in, and support for, activities promoting the resilience of Minnesota Point.
Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation with your Park Point neighbor Lisa M.; also see Yoga options for Wednesdays, details below. Link to flier is here.
Four Sundays, 9-10am at Lafayette Community Center Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, and 15 (3026 Minnesota Ave. Duluth, MN) Suggested donation: $20-$40 (four 1-hour classes) (Funds collected above covering building rental will be donated to a local food bank.) Open to the public; bring a friend! Email Lisa to sign up: lulu@cpinternet.com
Join teacher Lisa McKhann to begin or re-energize your mindfulness meditation practice. Over four weeks, learn the basics of “insight meditation” (based in Theravada Buddhism), how we still the mind with compassion and awareness. Each class will include a brief talk, guided meditation, and time for questions. Lisa McKhann is finishing a two-year training with renowned meditation teachers, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. She also is certified as a 200-level soma yoga instructor.
By Dawn Buck on Oct 22, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Flag Football Tonight- Tuesday, Oct. 22
Flag Football update: Game is on for tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 22, all ages and all experience levels are welcome! 6-7pm. Players aged 7-78 are regulars this season!
By Dawn Buck on Oct 6, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Important updates, gatherings and resources; Sect. 111 meetings on Oct. 29; next PPCC meeting is November 19.
Lost your glasses? A pair of prescription glasses were found on the beach at 35th. This was about two weeks ago.They are blue with sparkly areas on the bows. Contact Gretchen at 218-591-2772 to claim. Thank you!
The Breeze of October 2024. Link to Lafayette Boardwalk Photos.
Section 111 Study: Please note this date and time on your calendar, Tuesday, 10/29, 2-4pm, check back for any changes:
The City of Duluth and USACE is hosting the second public meeting on the Minnesota Point Section 111 Study. The event will be the afternoon of Tuesday, October 29th in the Lecture Hall in the Maritime Museum Visitor Center, 600 Canal Park Drive. The updated time is from 2-4pm; the meeting will be led by the modeling contractor, Barr Bergmann, and US Army Corps Staff from the Detroit District. The focus of the meeting is presenting information and data from the modeling process which is now 50% complete. Can’t make this meeting? Scroll down for how to hear/see virtually and/or attend the meeting at Lafayette at 6pm. Link to the items from the first public meeting held on 6/3/2024.
Minnesota Point 50 and PPCC will host a debrief and summary after the public meeting from 6-730pm upstairs at Lafayette. If you were unable to attend the work day meeting, stop by for the latest updates.
Join virtually: Details here to hear the 10/29 2-4pm presentation and see the slides, there is no camera in the room; the meeting will be recorded.
By Dawn Buck on Sep 25, 2024 in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Storm Drain Projects at 32nd and 37th: Update plus Lafayette Boardwalk project is underway & more! Please support MP50!
Co-op Owners, please vote here and consider supporting Minnesota Point 50!
The projects are delayed, details below from City Engineering. Neighbors expressed concerns and asked questions about the safety precautions due to large holes in the street, speeding trucks and the reason for the extended timeline:
“Work has been prolonged due to discovering the elevations of many utilities underground. This has forced us to reevaluate the design due to conflicts and make appropriate adjustments. JMF should be back to work near your home within 1-2 weeks, closer to the latter. A pipe will be installed crossing Minnesota Ave at 32nd Street connecting to another catch basin which will ultimately outfall to the bay. Jackhammering is to be expected when they commence work again here.
Jackhammering is in-fact necessary to complete the work. Under the bituminous surface of Minnesota Ave is a layer of 7-inches of concrete. To remove this concrete it was saw cut and as you’ve witnessed, hammered out for removal.
It is City policy that work does not take place between the hours of 9pm-7am.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any further questions.
Jacob Oetterer | Senior Engineering Technician | City of Duluth | 411 West 1st St, Room 240, Duluth, MN 55802 | 218-730-5077 | joetterer@duluthmn.gov“
9/23 The boardwalk at Lafayette is underway and you may see equipment on the beach for this project. The estimated date of completion is Oct. 11.
We had a request to share this plea with Park Pointers who use the channel behind Hearding Island, see below. We discussed this at the meeting on 9/17. Behind this marina, there is bay access for the public. Access the space from the chain link gate next to the apartments off of the circle adjacent to the entry to the marina. Sadly the brown and white access signs were taken down so it may not be clear on where to go. We have asked City Planning for support to get the signage back. See photo below for guidance.
“Hi, my name is Derin Van Loon, and I’m a member at Sand Point Yacht Club.
My apologies for the late notice, but I am hoping that for your meeting tonight you might consider adding an agenda item at the request of the S.P.Y.C., regarding a dredging project we are about to undertake this fall.
As many you are aware, the Corps of Engineers was tasked with maintaining the water channel between Hearding Island and the mainland when it was officially developed. Over the years, they have not, and Sand Point has maintained this channel at our own expense, with occasional donations.
As all Park Pointers know, keeping this channel open greatly aids in the water mvement behind Hearding island, creating a healthier environment for all, and we also know many Park Pointers, fisherman, pontoons, powerboats, sailboats, jet skiers, kayakers, etc. enjoy the use of this channel regularly.
If you could make the Park Point community aware of this project, please let them know we would appreciate any contributions (large or small) to help with the dredging cost.
Please contact Dean Baltes, our current treasurer, at Sand Point. His number is 218.348.9439.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.”
At the meeting on 9/17, we asked the City how we might collaborate on projects (signage, erosion mitigation, education) in Pontliana Woods, the wooded area off of 17th Street and Minnesota Ave, also accessible from St. Louis Ave near the Bayshore Nursing Home. The City of Duluth worked with St. Louis County and obtained the land as part of a land exchange. From 2019:”Residents have been crusading to preserve this three acre parcel of land from development since 1994. Over 200 Duluth residents signed a 2012 petition to save Pontliana Woods Wetlands. In 2015, the City Council, Dept. of Parks and Recreation, and Park Point Community Club all passed resolutions to establish Pontliana Woods Wetlands as a City of Duluth Park. The results of the 2016 environmental assessment conducted by the City of Duluth prove Pontliana Woods Wetlands meets Wetlands criteria. Additionally, in meetings with Councilor Westerlund and Jim Filby Williams, in 2017, we had been assured that the Pontliana Woods Wetlands would be included in the St. Louis River Estuary preservation plan.”
As of the meeting on 9/17, there are not plans and residents asked to be involved in the future. Minnesota Point 50 & partners may take a closer look at needs at this location. Thank you to Jim Filby Williams, Director of Property, Parks and Libraries, and City & County staff members for seeing this transaction through and protecting this bayside green space in the estuary.
Questions collected for City partners; a representative from the City will be at the meeting on Tuesday:
Road configuration changes at the end in the Park due to erosion bayside and rising waters, believe there is a grant for this project. Status, timeline and what is the plan? Where will the new road go? How might the project affect art fair, Duluth Superior Sailing, beach house access etc?
Pontliana Woods, this was a land swap deal with the County, please share vision and needs for this property on the bayside, 17th, south of Bayshore Nursing home. Signage, trails, shoreline erosion etc
Boat Club Site on the bay, 13th where the Yacht Club has the socials after the Wednesday races. Fun event there with a band a few weeks back! City’s ideas/vision on use of this property. I have spoken with members of the DBC on ideas, brainstorming, and collaboration. Who from the City will be working with the partners?
Lafayette Boardwalk, timeline and fall and winter bathroom hours. (They are year round facilities per the grant)
Signage at 8th & South Lake Ave to mark the beach access & portage to the bay at that street. We have met with city councilor, police, parks and rec and have asked for signage at that location beginning in 2019. The Ojibwe name for little portage has been suggested at that location, “Onigamiinsing.”
Recreation Lane art project to promote the no parking status in this lane. Parking issues persist as the signage is inadequate. Maybe next year? How to promote the riding etiquette in this lane and really stop the parking on the lake side in the summer? More promotion, add to the Fire Department sign re. no fires and speed limit reminder? Also, attached physical cones were a possibility for traffic calming at problematic areas. Maybe next year?
Beach Sand/Snow Fence project- ongoing and who do folks call if the fence is damaged and needs repair? Here is a link to photos of the fencing installation by Park Pointers and the City’s Parks and Recreation Crew on 9/10 and 9/12. Is there going to be a second fence line parallel to the first one? Will there be an overlapping fence covering the gap in the fence gap at 8th Street? A lot of sand blows at that location. More photos of the blowing sand issues from the bridge to 12th Street.
Agenda:
Call to Order, 7:00pm
Welcome and Welcome Back!
2024 Annual Membership accepted throughout the year
Presentation and action on the minutes of the previous meeting as printed in The Breeze, last meeting was August 20.
Presentation and action on the treasurer’s report: Update and report from treasurer, Mary Treuer, Exec Bod reporting.
Reading of communications received:
Report of the Committees, Standing and Ad hoc
Executive Committee
Youth- New parents; thank you Britta DeSutter for assisting with the transition and for keeping Camp Lafayette on track & thriving over the past several summers!
Art Fair- Carla Tamburro- was the 52nd this year! Next June tentative dates are June 28,29 2025.
Breeze- Alan Dartanyan
Environmental- Dick Gould
Hospitality – Diane Gould
Sunshine- Pam Griggs
Rummage Sale, Deb Strange, Friday June 13th and Saturday June 14th 2025
Program- Dave Poulin
Watch- All of us- what are you seeing
High Water & Erosion- Hamilton Smith
Traffic Safety- Pat Sterner: Jeremy O’Connor, is our community officer, he has been in the Community Policing Unit for several years,JOconnor@duluthmn.gov
Minnesota Point 50 (MP50) 501c3, Paul Treuer, MP50 is a community- based organization for learning, planning and taking action to build coastal resilience for MN Point. Board members are Pat Sterner, Dawn Buck, Brian Ruggle, Charlene Roise, Dan Ross, Paul Treuer, Jessica Boehland, Brittany Prim, Gary Glass, Dave Poulin
Mission: We lead strategic actions with a diverse group of partners to ensure the ecological, cultural, and economic resilience of Minnesota Point.
Vision: Minnesota Point, a dynamic and fragile ecosystem and community, sustains its land, water, wildlife, infrastructure, and people for generations to come.
Discussion and action on unfinished business plus updates:
Reminder: Internet at Lafayette, bring your library card
Blowing Sand, City of Duluth Project , on the list of questions for three items.
Lafayette Boardwalk: Fall start of the project reports Parks and Rec., on the questions list
Storm drain work 32nd, 37th, anywhere else? City contact is Brad Scott, bscott@duluthmn.gov “Yes – the project should be starting next week with the little bit of work near 32nd and will continue after Labor Day with work at 37th.”
JMF is the Contractor.
There are no assessments for any property owners – this work is paid for out of the City’s stormwater fund.”
Discussion and action on new business:
Motion to adjourn
August 2024: City Park Maintenance folks have been out getting the sand dune fencing/barrier placement started. There are 66 rolls of fencing that need to be placed. It is relatively straightforward and many hands will make light work indeed.
Volunteer opportunities will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Folks can meet on the beach near 8th Street South. Park Maintenance staff will be there to guide and support the project, and provide supplies. Dates will be:
Minnesota Point 50 Website Launch with Video! The website has information, contains a professional video about MP50 efforts, and contains a Donate button. We’re official and we thank you for your continued support!
