Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program - Funded Projects
Public Access and Recreation
306A-06-07: Two Harbors Trail System Construction - Phase I
A paved, non-motorized trail that will connect the recently completed High School Trail to the existing Sonju Trail in Two Harbors, MN. Project Summary Sheet 181 kb
306-STAR06-07: Lake County Demonstration Forest
implementation of the "Plan of Action" for the Lake County Demonstration Forest by completing the following projects: 1. Revise and reprint the two interpretive brochures - Woodland Hiking Tour (add 1.2 mile Lowland Ash Hiking Trail and two additional points of interest) and Historical Site (reprint in a different color to help differentiate between the two brochures). Print approximately 3,000 copies of each brochure. 2. Place 20+ pre-constructed sitting logs along the trail system to serve as rest break locations for hikers. These would be positioned at scenic vistas and at points of interest. 3. Purchase restroom supplies for cleaning and maintenance of the two restroom buildings. 4. Purchase two picnic tables for installation at the kiosk. 5. Purchase and install solar powered lights in the two restrooms.
306A-08-01: Cascade River Hiking Trail Improvements
Construct stairways and an elevated boardwalk on hiking trail alignment. Associated with the project will also be the construction of a work access route and the placing of gravel on existing trail alignment.
306A-05-02: Gitchi-Gami State Trail (Beaver Bay Trail)
Design and construct a section of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, a non-motorized paved trail being developed from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. The Gitchi-Gami State Trail is a 10 foot wide paved trail, which is designed for bicyclist, inline skaters, and pedestrians. The Community of Beaver Bay identifies that this trail project is very important, because it provides a safe access and a connection to the State Trail and through Beaver Bay.
306-19-02: North Shore Water and Ice Safety/Rescue Program
This grant will "train the trainers" by sending four members from local emergency response agencies to an intensive training program. These local trainers will adapt the program to local conditions and develop a training program for emergency response personnel in Lake and Cook Counties. The common training will be paired with the purchase of similar equipment for emergency response personnel.
306A-07-02: Silver Bay Marina - Fish Cleaning Station
Fish cleaning facility to provide a resource for environmentally sound disposal of fish cleaning waste.
306-14-04: Grand Marais Trail Access
Create a system of public trails (snowmobiling, biking, and possibly cross-country skiing) through a business park corridor connecting the City of Grand Marais to public lands, including the North Shore State Trail, Superior Hiking Trail and the Pincushion Mountain trails.
306A-01-03: Cloquet Riverfront Park -Phase I Development
The purpose of this application is to seek funds to assist in implementing part of the first phase of construction recommended in the concept development plan. This phase will make improvements to part of the trail system within the park, and provide a connection to the DNR's snowmobile trail that runs through the park - the Lumberjack Trail.
306A-04-03: North Shore Scenic Drive Vistas and Activity Parking
Improve and enhance the scenic vistas and public roadside parking areas along North Shore Scenic Drive (County State Aid Highway 61). This project will repair and enhance three roadside public parking areas along North Shore Scenic Drive.
306A-05-05: North Shore Scenic Drive Vistas - Phase II
Improve and enhance the scenic road vistas and public roadside parking areas along North Shore Drive (County State Aid Highway 61). Reconstruct one parking area overlooking Lake Superior, replacing safety guardrail, install two concrete pads for two picnic tables, and seeding and mulching disturbed areas. At a second parking area, remove old unsightly pavement and guardrail in disrepair from a former parking area, scarify the soil and seed and mulch the disturbed area. The old pavement, guardrail and posts would be recycled and/or hauled away for disposal. The seed mix will include native wildflowers.
306A-06-01: Land Acquisition of the Former U.S. Naval Reserve Site, Duluth, Minnesota
This project involves the land acquisition of the former U.S. Naval Reserve Site. The site is located within the City of Duluth on Park Point and has immediate access to the Duluth Harbor, St. Louis River Estuary, and Lake Superior. Future development includes construction of a boat launch and aquatic facilities.
306A-07-01: Lower Falls Hiking Trail Boardwalk
A 430 foot railed boardwalk will be constructed along the Gooseberry River to minimize the impact of heavy visitation on the river, area wildlife, the herbaceous vegetation and a significant White Cedar tree community. Gooseberry Falls State Park will integrate this boardwalk into an existing trail network to provide a final link between the lower falls and a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river.
306A-02-05: Caribou Falls Hiking Trail
The Caribou Falls State Wayside trail that currently runs from the parking lot on US Highway 61 to the upper overlook of Caribou Falls is in need of great repair. The section that runs along the river is unsafe and is slowly eroding into the Caribou River. Recently , the access to the base of the Caribou Falls had to be closed because of the dangerous hiking conditions that currently exist. The terrain is steep and slippery as you descend to the base, the existing in-grade steps are heaving and out of alignment. The working conditions for this high priority project will be difficult making worker safety a primary concern and resulting in a labor-intensive project. The project is to stabilize and correct existing erosion on the upper trail and to close off and reestablish vegetation on the lower section of trail to prevent further bank erosion. Objective: Reroute the trail away from areas along the river that are susceptible to erosion; Construct a trail system of boardwalks, steps and railings that are safe, convenient, and that blends into the natural surroundings and leads visitors to places they want to go; Construct safe deck overlook platforms above the Caribou Falls that allow hikers to take in the panoramic view of Lake Superior and help keep visitors off of sensitive areas; and remove the old trail planking and reestablish native vegetation on the lower trail along the river.
306-35-04: Extending the Superior Hiking Trail through Duluth
Extension of the Superior Hiking Trail through Duluth. Phase II will involve obtaining trail construction and maintenance authorization and permits for the trail. This phase will also continue with the community outreach efforts to keep the community informed about the process and to continue to promote community support for the project.
310-10-03: Miller Creek Restoration: Easement Acquisition
The Creek has a naturally reproducing trout population and the MCJPB seeks to demonstrate the types of activities and practices needed to protect urbanized streams in the coastal area. This project will complete stream restoration projects that have been targeted in the Clean Water Partnership Study. Projects will be completed on public lands or lands where conservation easements will provide access.
306-STAR12-03: Grassy Point Trail - Property Appraisal for Land Acquisition
The City of Duluth first identified the area of Grassy Point (part of the St. Louis River Estuary) in 1987 (West Duluth Plan) as an environmentally significant wetland worth preserving. The City has taken a variety of steps since 1987 aimed toward the enhancement of the area of Grassy Point within it's ownership control. Most recently, the City has completed construction of Phase I of the Grassy Point Trail Project consisting of 795 l.f. of wood boardwalk and 160 l.f. of floating plastic bog walk.
The City's goal is to continue construction of this trail, with similar construction methods, throughout the reminder of Grassy Point. The ultimate goal will be the creation of a full loop trail. To fulfill this goal, land within the Grassy Point area, not owned by the City must be acquired.
The application seeks matching funds to help cover the cost of a summary property appraisal to be performed by a qualified appraiser competent in the appraisal of waterfront property. The property to be appraised is currently owned by Burlington Northern Railroad and is nearly 100% wetlands. The future acquisition of this property, which bisects the Grassy Point area, is critical if future plans to complete the trail are to become reality.
The property appraisal will be used to establish the sale value of the railroad property.
The Burlington Northern Railroad has been contacted via their property management company and has expressed a willingness to sell this property to the City of Duluth for an amount established by appraisal, as it has no future intention of utilizing this property for railroad purposes.
306A-06-06: Grassy Point Trail - Land Acquisition
This Acquisition Grant Application seeks matching funds to acquire a parcel of property currently owned by the Burlington Northern Railroad. This parcel bisects the Grassy Point area and must be crossed if the Grassy Point Trail is to be completed.
306A-02-07: Grassy Point Trail Construction - Phase II
Completion of Phase II of the Grassy Point Trail. The Phase II trail segment will consist of the continuation of the Grassy Point Trail from its Phase I terminus. Phase II will consist of the construction of 235 l.f. of wood boardwalk and 650 l.f. of floating plastic bogwalk. In addition, a wood observation deck with ramping to the deck will be needed. To complete Phase II, interpretive signage and vegetative re-establishment of disturbed areas will be required. Once completed, Phase II of the Grassy Point Trail will allow trail users a significantly expanded trail experience enhanced by the increased viewing opportunities for the diverse aquatic and wetland wildlife populations indigenous to Grassy Point.
306A-09-05: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Land Acquisition
5.13 acre acquisition will allow for the public's contiguous use of state park property from the main park facilities to Gold Rock Point. It eliminates the possibility of an incompatible private shoreline development in the middle of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. Preserving the historic view from the Lighthouse is critical to the Minnesota Historical Society's (MHS) mission and their visitors. The additional shoreline along Lake Superior will offer the public increased access to lake views and views of Gold Rock Point. Minnesota State Parks would like to acquire the last remaining parcel that connects the main park facilities with the eastern park boundary at Gold Rock Point. Gold Rock Point is the largest of only a few exposures of granite found along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Views of Lake Superior and its shoreline from Gold Rock Point are spectacular.
306A-07-06: Superior Hiking Trail Bridge - Caribou Falls State Wayside
Replace the Superior Hiking Trail bridge over the Caribou River in Caribou Falls State Wayside. The recommended replacement with a pre-manufactured structural fiberglass bridge will provide long term sustainability to the bridge with minimal future maintenance.
306A-08-06: Superior Hiking Trail Bridge - George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
This project is to replace the Superior Hiking Trail bridge over the Manitou River in George H Crosby Manitou State Park. The recommended replacement with a pre-manufactured structural fiberglass bridge will provide long term sustainability to the bridge with minimal future maintenance.
306A-04-07: Harbor Park Phase II
Implementation of the Phase I plan, the park will be constructed of quality, durable materials that reflect the local environment.
306A-04-08: Temperance River Wayside Accessible Trail
The Temperance River gorge trail with its many waterfalls is the most popular destination for most of the 250,000 annual visitors to Temperance River State Park. The most heavily used section of this trail begins at MN Highway 61 wayside parking lot and follows the east rim of the gorge using a myriad of undesignated crisscrossing trails resulting in extensive soil compaction and erosion resulting in exposed tree roots and loss of sensitive vegetation. The project will provide an ADA accessible asphalt trail from the Hwy 61 bridge where visits can see the lower gorge. It will also provide access upstream to a view of the Hidden Falls and the upper gorge. The project will improve visitor safety by providing a safe asphalt sidewalk from the primary wayside parking lots to the designated crosswalk on Highway 61. The project will protect existing Civilian Conservation Corps stonework at the rest area parking lots and along the river gorge trails. The project will include restoration of deteriorated CCC stone steps along the east rim of the gorp. It will include design and construction of stone cairns along the gorge rim to delineate the trail and restoration of the trail tread ways. It will include additional stone stair construction to access viewing vistas near the upper end of the gorge. Several eroded trails and user-developed routes along the river will be closed and restored to prevent erosion and improve visitor safety.
306A-05-09: Superior Hiking Trail Bridge - Cross River - Temperance River State Park
This project is to replace the Superior Hiking Trail bridge over the Cross River in Temperance River State Park.
306A-03-09: Finland Community Recreation and Trail Center
A community trail recreation center at the location of the existing but collapsing recreation hall. The site borders County Rd. 7 and provides access to the Superior Hiking Trail, the North Shore snowmobile trail, the Moose Run/Moose Walk ATV trail and a proposed paved trail linking downtown Finland to the Community Trail Center. It is also located next to the Baptism River which is a designated trout stream. The goal of the project is to build a facility which will meet the trail and information related needs of residents and visitors seeking to utilize the trail systems.
306A-04-09: Gitchi Gami Overlook
An average of 600,000 visitors per year, Gooseberry Falls State Park is the most visited state park in Minnesota. The heavy use causes a great deal of erosion and degradation of the park's natural terrain. This project proposes to build three viewing platforms of Lake Superior, two benches, trail improvement to the sites, and a guardrail on heavily eroded and unsafe trail segments.
306A-11-06: Tettegouche State Park - Land Acquisition
Acquisition within Tettegouche State Park - The 7-acre proposed acquisition will help in our efforts to eventually join the main portion of Tettegouche State Park to Palisade Head and protect the shoreline by preserving the famous views from Palisade Head, Shovel Point and the mouth of the Baptism River.
306-08-01: WITHDRAWN - Bayfront Harbor Wall Fishing and Educational Access Planning
Feasibility study of improving public access to the Duluth Harbor at the aquarium site at the base of Fifth Ave.
310-13-02: WITHDRAWN - Carriere Property Acquisition and Restoration
Withdrawn: acquisition, by purchase, of a 2 acre parcel, and a one acre donation from an adjacent parcel. The land will be restored to a stabilized, natural state.
310-11-02: WITHDRAWN - Lighthouse Point Property Acquisition
Acquisition of the Lighthouse Point property, Two harbors.
