Duluth Parks and Trails Still Closed Since Storm

Hartley Park is Completely Closed, While Trails at Lester are Closed

Jessie Erickson and Michelle Cartier, co-owners of Runa Yoga, woke up to shocking news the morning after the storm.

“We learned that the Yurt was very heavily damaged in the windstorm,” said Cartier.

The storm that swept through the Northland last week left hundreds of trees snapped in half, or completely uprooted. Some of those trees crashed in to Hartley Nature Center’s Yurt, a place where the women held yoga classes each week.

“I did yoga in the yurt last year here one day a week, and this year I decided to do it 5 days a week, and it was just beginning to bring in a lot of people, so I know it will be really missed by the community,” said Erickson.

Hartley Park is now closed. But it wasn’t the only park hurt by the severe storm. Lester Park also lost dozens of trees to the fierce wind and harsh rain.

Though the trails are closed, the park and parking lot are still open at Lester, and dozens of people continue to enjoy the hot summer days at parks that are still open.

“The trails will be as good as ever, the facilities will be as good as ever, it’s just nature taking it’s course really,” said Andrew Slade, the Assistant Manager of Duluth Parks and Recreation, picturing what the parks will look like after it’s fixed.