I am the regional naturalist for the Scientific and Natural Areas Program with the DNR. I am hosting, along with Jeffrey Flory of the 1854 Treaty Authority, a invasive species pull at Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA on Sunday July 31st From 1-4 pm. Attached is a photo from last year’s event and below is a description of this years event as well as how to register. Info can also be found on our online calendar here. Hopefully there is room to include this in your July newsletter, thank you!”
Come help out at Minnesota Point Pine Forest SNA, a host to a magnificent old growth pine forest near the eastern tip of Minnesota Point, the 7-mile long sandbar that shelters the Duluth Harbor and Superior Bay from the open waters of Lake Superior. Join SNA staff in searching for and removing spotted knapweed (Centauria stoebe spp. micranthos L.) and other invasive species.
Advanced registration is required and the event will be capped at 25 attendees. To register, please email arika.preas@state.mn.us (link sends email). Masks are encouraged for unvaccinated volunteers.
Instructions and good camaraderie will be provided. Make sure to bring water and dress for working in the weather. If you have your own gloves you’d like to use, please bring those as well. Footwear appropriate for outdoor work/hiking is recommended. There are no recreational facilities on this site.
The PPCC sponsors this epic sale in support of the Park Point Art Fair. The large sale on this weekend early in June keeps the Art Fair weekend, June 25 & 26, focused on the Club’s major annual Art Fair. This year is the 50th Park Point Art Fair with special events planned to celebrate this milestone!
Membership as of May 1, 2022; You can join anytime during year!
Agenda Notes for 5/17- meeting held outside w little bonfire due to Covid concerns
Cheryl P. from the YMCA with lifeguard updates
National Night Out: St. Andrew’s will be hosting NNO this summer, on August 2. The time will be from 5 to 7 pm. The PPCC last hosted this in 2021; St. Andrews has been hosting the annual gathering in alternate years to the Club’s hosting at Lafayette. Summer is coming soon!
Updates on “Camp Lafayette”, Tree Planting, PP Rummage Sale, 50th PP Art Fair & more.
Concerns for discussion/ideas for programs: Camping on PP, Traffic and Safety Observations, Tax Appraisals & Property Tax Increases, Emergency Services when it’s crowded on PP and the Bridge is up
By Dawn Buck on Mar 16, 2022 | In Uncategorized | Comments Off on Summer Youth Program Open House 4/26, 6-8pm
An open house is being planned for Tuesday,April 26 from 6-8 PM at the Lafayette building, lower level as the upstairs is a “progress zone” with bathrooms remodeled and lighting replaced.
Check out the fun from the 2019 Camp on this video!
2022 PP Summer Youth Program: “Camp Lafayette”
Yes! there will be a summer program with Kevin Chederquist leading the camp at Lafayette!
The Park Point Summer Youth Program (affectionately known as “Camp Lafayette”) is returning in full-strength! This experiential education summer program is designed to give youth from 5-12 years of age exposure to new friendships, learning, and leadership. Housed in the historic Lafayette building on Park Point, the program has differentiated learning and teaming activities for three grade levels. Three counselors engage the campers as they grow gardens, play on the beach, travel and tour museums in Duluth, read at the library, ride bikes, sail, participate in Park Point Art Fair, 3D print at the MakerSpace, hike on the Superior Hiking Trail, stand-up paddle board, build lego structures, do weekly community service projects, play board games, play court games, visit a farm, write and perform a play, play kickball, and eat grilled food. The camp runs Monday-Thursday 8:00-4:00 (pickup until 4:30) for nine weeks starting June 13 to August 11 (excluding July 4th).
Updates on long-range resiliency planning for Minnesota Point.
MP50 Informational Meeting, Feb. 7, 2022 . Speakers were Diane Desotelle (City) and Nick Zager (USACE) talking about the City’s (Duluth’s) long term resiliency planning process for Minnesota Point and USACE Section 111 Study of Minnesota Point. Key takeaways:
Diane Desotelle, Natural Resources Coordinator, Duluth, responded to questions about the City’s 50 – year Minnesota Point Planning Process which outlines how, and when, long-term planning activities with the City and stakeholder groups are taking place.
Diane Desotelle referred to the timeline in the Planning Process and said the City is not requesting USACE beach nourishment this year.
USACE Section 111 Charrette is scheduled for March 10/11 Duluth, MN. 9 – 4, facilitated by USACE. 20 – 25 individuals have been invited to attend by the City of Duluth and USACE. Paul Treuer, representing Park Point Community Club, will report to PPCC and MP50. Mike Allis, USACE Project Lead on the Section 111 Study, outlined the Charette goals and objectives:
Goals:
1. Initiate the first iteration of the planning process for the study.
2. Begin building a coherent and effective project delivery team, including critical roles for both sponsors, stakeholders, and USACE colleagues.
3. Set expectations and establish a fresh, constructive approach to this study.
4. Provide a solid foundation for subsequent iterations of the planning process, scheduling of study milestones, and robust stakeholder engagement and public communication.
Planning Objectives:
1. Establish a planning process.
2. Define existing conditions, problems, opportunities, objectives, and constraints.
3. Generate possible management measures.
4. Develop an initial array of potential alternatives.
5. Introduce risk register.
Duluth Coastal Resilience Project
This Project is part of a $258,000 FEMA grant to the City of Duluth and St. Louis County to find solutions to shoreline collapse. The study will include evaluation of the bayside of the Park Point Recreation Area and determine mitigation options for storm surge-related flooding and erosion. Funding will pay for the areas of interest to be studied while determining solutions with the help of consultants. It will set the City and its partners up to apply for funding that would assist in implementing the study’s outcomes.
The first Public Meeting of the Duluth Coastal Resilience Project was on Feb. 16, 7:00 PM. A recording of this meeting is posted on the Duluth Coastal Resilience Project Webpage under Meetings: (https://duluthcoastalinfrastructureresilience.com/)
The State Chapter of the Izaak Walton League approved 7 resolutions about the disposal of dredge material for beach nourishment on Minnesota Point and its impact on Lake Superior.
First resolution: Oppose the disposal of dredge material from the Duluth-Superior Harbor for beach nourishment on Minnesota Point because it contains fines contaminated with legacy pollutants whose impact on Lake Superior are unknown, and because fine-grained river sediments erode off the beach too quickly.
Second resolution: Support beach nourishment to protect the residents of Minnesota Point if it is done with clean material such as sediment from Lake Superior or washed sediment from the Erie Pier Contained Disposal Facility (CDF); and if it is coarse enough to emulate natural longshore drift sediments that will stabilize and remain longer on the beach.
Fox News reported on Feb. 8, 2022 that $19 Million in Federal Infrastructure Funding was awarded to the Port Authority of Duluth-Superior. $13M going to USACE vessel yard on the Duluth Harbor Basin-Superior Bay side of Park Point. $6 M goes to increasing capacity at the Erie Pier confined disposal facility (owned by Seaway Port Authority of Duluth & City of Duluth and operated by Detroit District USACE) to handle and transport dredging material.
Research on Geomorphology of St. Louis Harbor Project, Feb. 26, 2022
Dr. Andrew Breckenridge (UWSuperior), Dr. Harry Jol (UW Eau Claire) and five UWS students conducted measurements along Park Point on Saturday, Feb. 26th to understand Geomorphology of the St. Louis Harbor. They are testing the hypothesis that there is a ridge and swale strandplain complex buried under the sediments in the St. Louis Harbor. This research builds on ground penetrating radar (GPR) studies done previously by Dr. Jol. Both studies contribute to a more precise understanding of how and when Minnesota and Wisconsin Points were formed. Dr. Breckenridge shared Geologic History of the Duluth Harbor (2016) providing excellent background information to this study.
Scientists and students study Superior Bay on 2/26 and warm up at Lafayette. PPCC volunteers hosted the group at Lafayette on a windy Saturday!
Blatnik Bridge Context Study
Park Point Resident Charlene Roise wrote a comprehensive history of the Port for the Blatnik Bridge Project. The Blatnik Bridge Context Study is thoroughly researched; it provides context not only for the bridge project but also detailed information about the history of the area. MP50, a subcommittee of the Park Point Community Club, is a learning community open and free to anyone interested in the resiliency of Minnesota Point. Diverse points of view are welcome. Contact Paul Treuer, MP50 coordinator, (paul.treuer@gmail.com) to share your ideas, materials, and/or questions, or to join the MP50 Working Group.
Meeting ID: 840 5515 2958 Passcode: 991820 One tap mobile +19294362866,,84055152958#,,,,*991820# US (New York) +13017158592,,84055152958#,,,,*991820# US (Washington DC)
Dial by your location +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 840 5515 2958 Passcode: 991820
On the agenda:
May 8 2022: Smelt Parade- back after two year hiatus, support requested, sponsorships requested.
PP Youth Program 2022 -Exec. bod approved working budget to get program started and staffed, will look at enrollment next month and adjust and appropriate funds as needed. As in years past, the use of upper Lafayette will be important to the 2022 program’s quality and success
PP Art Fair- the 50th this year! Find out how you might be involved. More new artists and sponsorships this year! Thank you! A grant from Essentia is also in the works.
Updates from MP50, Paul Treuer on the Section 111 Study Charrette held last week- Next steps?
Tree planting initiative
Traffic Safety Update
Cruise Ship Impacts- Pros and Cons and what do we know?
Items referenced in The Breeze will be posted here, thank you to Jim Gruba and Tony Dierckins for the Park Point history pieces and the supporting documentation.
By Dawn Buck on Dec 13, 2021 | In Uncategorized | Comments Off on PPCC Meeting on 2/15 via Zoom
2/15 7pm Traffic Safety: One Year Debrief with Chief Tusken via Zoom & then PPCC meeting
The PPCC will host a Zoom meeting on February 15 at 7 pm to review the Traffic Safety efforts of the past year. Joining the Zoom meeting will be Chief Mike Tusken, Deputy Chief Steven Stracek, and Lt. Chad Nagorski. A short PPCC meeting will be held after the traffic safety presentation.
Traffic safety efforts of the past year: Successes and Challenges
o DPD Comments
o PP Residents Comments
General Discussion:
o What else can PP residents do to help with traffic safety?
o How can we encourage residents to volunteer for the Neighborhood Watch?
o What information from the DPD would help document community impact to encourage continued efforts?
o Additional ideas for long-term traffic safety control.
City of Duluth Coastal Resilience Study; Public Meeting, Feb. 16, 7:00 PM, Zoom
This study is part of a $258,000 FEMA grant the City received to find solutions to shoreline collapse on the the North Shore from Brighton Beach to Knife River. The study will also evaluate the bayside of the Park Point Recreation Area and determine mitigation options for storm surge-related flooding and erosion. Funding will pay for the areas of interest to be studied while determining solutions with the help of consultants. It will set the City and its partners up to apply for funding that would assist in implementing the study’s outcomes.
Skating update: The building hours for warming are posted below via link, everyone is welcome!
Sunday Feb. 6th Noon to 3pm at the Lafayette Rink; come and skate or just hang out by the fire ring and enjoy the moment and cook a marshmallow or maybe a hot dog. Updates due to conditions will be posted on the Postcard sign and on the website. It’s been a joy to see skaters on the rink and sledders on the hills at the park.
If you can help with flooding, call Mark 218-340-6453
To sign up to host the lower level for skating warmup, email the Club’s president: parkpointcc@gmail.com.
MN Point Resiliency 2/7 via Zoom
Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, Public Zoom Meeting on Minnesota Point Resilience Planning with two speakers:
Diane Desotelle, Natural Resources Coordinator, City of Duluth, will answer questions about the City’s recently developed Minnesota Point 50-year Resiliency Planning Process. This document outlines the process by which the City of Duluth will lead Minnesota Point’s long term resiliency planning efforts. Please read and bring your questions and a copy of the planning document to the zoom meeting to discuss.
Nicholas Zager, Chief, Planning Office, USACE Detroit District
PPCC Agenda notes: Updates on Snow Emergency Parking, Lafayette skating rink, tree planting donations, 50th Art Fair in June, Traffic Safety, Section 111 Study & USACE Clean Up meeting on Thursday.
Thursday, 11/18, Virtual Presentations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & City of Duluth regarding the upcoming public meeting related to the completion of the 2021 Minnesota Point Beach nourishment, maintenance dredging, beach cleanup, and the congressionally funded Section 111 program: the meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, November 18 at 5pm. To join the meeting, please visit our Live Meetings page at https://duluthmn.gov/live-meeting/, click on “Parks & Recreation Public Meetings” link, and click the “Join Now” button.
Katie Bennett, Project Technician, City of Duluth – Parks & Recreation
Take our community survey at polco.us/duluthparks2021 to help shape the future of Duluth parks and recreation opportunities!
The application submitted for the MN Point project seems to be incomplete. Note the omission of the sections on loadings; this is directly related to the PPCC’s recommendation that state water quality standards are met.
2.Analysis of alternatives to project design that avoid or minimize degradation (This does not include the Preferred Alternative discussed below)
Describe your analysis of at least two prudent and feasible alternative project designs that would avoid or minimize degradation and avoid or minimize net increases in loading of pollutants or other causes of degradation to surface water (such as wetlands, lakes, stream, etc.). The analysis of each alternative must include a description of how impacts to surface waters are avoided and/or minimized; information on any design considerations and constraints; expected performance, construction, operation, and maintenance costs; and reliability for each alternative. Minn. R. 7050.0280, subp. 2
Preferred alternative project design Describe the analysis of your preferred alternative project design that avoids or minimizes net increases in loading of pollutants or other causes of degradation. The analysis must include a description of how impacts to surface waters are avoided and/or minimized; information on any design considerations and constraints; expected performance, construction, operation, and maintenance costs; and reliability for each alternative. In addition, the analysis must verify that the preferred alternative is the least degrading prudent and feasible alternative for surface water. Minn. R. 7050.0280, subp.2
4.Water quality parameters of concern List the water quality parameters of concern for the project. Examples: Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Mercury (Hg), Temperature, PCBs, etc.
10. Loading and degradation to surface waters For all surface waters where physical alterations are proposed, describe all anticipated net increases in loading and other causes of degradation expected in each surface water when your preferred alternative project design is fully implemented. Example 1: Filling of a wetland that causes another wetland to backup and inundate, (the inundated wetland can be on or off the project site).Example 2: A discharge from the project site that increases flow to another surface water on or off the project site. Example 3: Impervious surface increases in a subwatershed to the extent water quality becomes degraded.
By Dawn Buck on Sep 12, 2021 | In Uncategorized | Comments Off on September 21 Meeting- Zoom
Social Zoom gathering at 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, September 21. Link for the meeting was emailed out and it posted below. Agenda link below.
D. Buck & PPCC Executive Board are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: PPCC September 2021 meeting Time: Sep 21, 2021 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting
Duluth Monitor by John Ramos May 2020; good photos of the erosion and starvation of sand on the south end of MN Point. PPCC Volunteers have been seeking on long term solutions for decades.
July PPCC Elections at Lafayette
Lafayette, 6:30pm for Socializing and set up; 7pm Meeting and Elections
Mark your calendars for National Night Out on Tuesday 8/3 at Lafayette from 5-7pm. Brats and lemonade will be provided, please bring a salad or picnic fare to share & bring a lawn chair. Meet the DPD officers who are helping with our Traffic Safety program, meet new neighbors and reconnect after a long and challenging year!
July 15th 50th Park Point 5-Miler & Best Beach Websites Details here:
Health & Safety note: Please be conscientious of your neighbors and the community during the event; anyone who is feeling sick or has Covid-19 like symptoms needs to stay home from the race and the cheering activities. Masks are encouraged for anyone who is not vaccinated.
Road Closures / Event timeline
With restrictions eased, we will be back to a fairly normal schedule for the event, including road closures. Plan is as follows:
o 6:00 PM – Minnesota Ave south of 22nd St closes to traffic
o 6:30 PM – 5 Mile run start
o 6:40 PM – 2 Mile walk start
o 7:05 PM – Estimated final participant reaches turnaround (2328 Minnesota Ave). DPD begins to gradually allow local traffic (moving slowly) as the race sweep vehicle (behind final participant) moves back toward the park.
o 7:45 PM – Minnesota Ave fully open to traffic
· Lafayette Park
We will again have a water station a Lafayette Square Park. We’re debating using the hose connection for water or pouring from leftover bottles we have from the marathon. Water at Lafayette might be procured.
· Volunteers
We are always glad for volunteers on the racecourse for this event, to direct and cheer runners/walkers, and ensure the safety of all. Residents on the racecourse could be the perfect volunteers for this event, as they are able to volunteer from their own driveways! If anyone from the PP Community Club or other residents might be interested, please direct them our way.
Finally, we’re hoping to celebrate the 50th edition of the Park Point 5-Miler by having some activities for folks to hang out at the Point after the race – we’ll share more info on that as it is solidified, but the PP community would be encouraged to come join in!
Tues. 6 /15, 6:30 pm set up and social time at Lafayette, inside upstairs. Masks recommended for unvaccinated attendees.
7:00pm meeting
Guests:
Matthew Stewart, C.M., ACE,Airport Planner,Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., Ongoing Master Plan project at Sky Harbor, project website is updated with project materials and can be found here: https://skyharbor.duluthairport.com/projects/
At-Large City Councilor Terese Tomanek
Communications & Articles – please send items of interest to share
Dog walkers- please leash your canine companions! Also- special notice on Piping Plover nesting in June and July on the beach past Sky Harbor Airport-leash your dogs during the nesting season- citations may be written for violations during this season!
Ms. Melissa Blankenship, EPA Region V; Ms. Sarah Strommen MPCA Commissioner; Lt. Col. Katalenich, USACE Detroit
Note: PPCC Recommendation #4 for 2021 “Dredged materials considered for continued beach nourishment will undergo detailed analysis for suitability before they are placed on the beach. The USACE’s sediment sampling plan must demonstrate state water quality standards for Lake Superior will not be exceeded. During the application of new beach materials in 2021, the City of Duluth and PPCC will request MPCA require constant monitoring of the lake and discharged materials for the presence of any harmful components. If harmful components are found in the discharge, the USACE will take steps to remove or treat them.”
PPCC has asked the City of Duluth to provide assurances and data to show that these standards will be met. Calculations based on the USACE’s samples and data indicate that materials placed in 2020 on the beach near the bridge do not align with the Club’s recommendation as stated above. Unfortunately, “historical” trash from the harbor bottom- metal cans, glass and plastics were inadvertently shredded and placed on the beach during the beach nourishment processes in 2019 & 2020. While learning more on how this occurred, sediment data from the USACE was reviewed by a water quality expert. The PPCC, City Administrators and City Councilor Randorf were apprised of the concerns revealed by the data and the negative implications for Lake Superior and its ecosystems. In 2019, the PPCC requested help from the City of Duluth as the beach, infrastructure, and homes along the very north end were in peril due to erosion processes, rising waters and strong storm surges. The City requested that the Corps. of Engineers (USACE) move their nourishment operation to the north end of Park Point to help with that crisis area. The USACE was in the early phase of a 5 year permitted process of depositing 1,000,000 cubic yards of dredged materials into Lake Superior starting at the south end. The alarming appearance of beach sharps has raised numerous concerns from Park Pointers and other individuals and organizations:
The Minnesota Conservation Federation, Brad Gausman, Executive Director
The Save Lake Superior Association, Lori Andresen, President
Clean Water Action, Deanna White, Minnesota State Director
The National Wildlife Federation, Great Lakes Office, Jason Dinsmore, Director of Conservation Partnerships
The North Shore Surfrider Foundation, Bob Pokorney, President
Grant Merritt, Former Executive Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Willis Mattison, Former Regional Director, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Subsequently, the City of Duluth has requested another Section 111 study to determine the level of the USACE’s responsibility for damage caused by the construction of the canals at both ends of MN Point.
Clean-up on the beach:
Found near 12th Street BeachFound near 12th Street Beach
While on the beach-pay attention!
The second most common cause of death in children, drowning usually occurs due to an adult not paying attention and missing the signs. As drowning is hard to spot, it is important to know the signs and always stay aware.
They cannot call for help: People drowning will not be able to call out for help as they are taking in water and struggling to breathe in oxygen.
They cannot wave for help: People drowning will be using their arms to attempt to push themselves out of the water but will be unable to wave them above their head.
They will remain upright: People drowning will remain upright in the water without showing signs of kicking for up to 60 seconds before going underwater.
They will have glassy eyes: People drowning will be unable to focus and may have their eyes closed.
Their face will be hard to see: People drowning may not be visible due to being in and out of the water, causing hair to cover their face.
They will be hidden by the water: People drowning may have his/her head tilted backwards or forwards as his/her mouth will be at water level
They will be quiet: People drowning may be quieter than normal as they can no longer speak. It is best to find out why immediately.
They may not seem in distress: People drowning may already be unconscious and therefore not moving at all. It is important to ask if they are okay and get them out of the water if they do not respond.
Redlining Map in 1932- Check out Park Point from this link! Zoom in on Duluth
Updates on long-range resiliency planning for Minnesota Point.
