Duluth Parks and Recreation Lays Out Plans for Park Point Improvement

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Parks and Recreation have now shared some concept plans with the Park Point community as they continue steps towards improving the point’s recreation area.

This comes after both climate patterns and time have worn down the rec area over the past years. Three concept plans were laid out, all of which are intended to support items such as safe water access and building a landscape that is able to be resilient in many different weather conditions.

“We heard from over 500 people before we put these concept plans, and now we’re presenting what we heard back to the community to see if it resonates with them, to see what they like about each plan, what they don’t like about each plan, so that we can hopefully bring it all together into one community supported vision for the rec area.” said Senior Parks Planner Katie Bennett.

While the concepts vary from one to the other, there is at least one change that all of them have in common, which comes not on the beach, but on the pavement.

“One of the major changes that we’re proposing is retreating the roadway.” said Bennett. “Because at this time, parts of the roadway are actually crumbling right into the bayside, which long-term is just not a sustainable or safe way for a road to function and so, each plan sort of proposes a different level of retreating.

Concept 1 has the most parking of the three designs, utilizing a “central axis” to organize the area, with a multi-use field and sand volleyball courts located in the very center.

Concept 2 features the addition of a watercraft sports hub and most closely matches the current roadway layout, with the road separating the active use and passive use areas.

Concept 3 shows off a “linear” design and creates the most natural space, which could be used for various events.

Duluth Parks and Rec says input from both residents and non-residents of Park Point is welcome, and those interested can find more information at their website, or in their survey, which closes Aug. 31.