Those of us who have signed this petition love Nordic skiing at Hiawatha Golf Course each winter but feel the experience could be greatly improved, particularly for the $45 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board fee we pay to use the facility.
Our wish list is not long: groom the trails at least twice a week and open the clubhouse on weekends, at least for a few hours.
Here’s our pitch:
Most ski areas talk about their trails. At Hiawatha, we talk about *the* trail, because there’s just one. It’s small, for sure, but Hiawatha is a special place to those of us who use it. The wide open spaces mean parents can easily keep an eye on their kids as everyone skis at their own pace. The gentle slopes make it an ideal place for beginners, or for those who want to try skate skiing for the first time. Experienced skiiers who live in South Minneapolis can rack up some kilometers without the longer drive over to Theodore Wirth.
It’s a special place for others, too: snowshoers, skijorers, people out for a walk with or without a dog. While it’s fantastic that Hiawatha serves all forms of winter recreation, the foot traffic chews up Hiawatha’s trail. Grooming the less-than-two-mile trail at least twice a week seems feasible, and would keep the trail in good shape for skiiers.
We also want to see the clubhouse opened to the public on weekends. It’s a fantastic asset and should be put to use. It wouldn’t take much time to create a space where neighbors could meet up, share a hot chocolate and head out onto the trail. After skiing, families and groups could spend time with each other, talking about the day while people warm up.
We talk about building community in our neighborhoods, but wintertime requires some effort. It’s a time of year when people don’t linger in their yards or on their front steps. The clubhouse, if even just for a few hours on weekend afternoons, could serve everyone in the community who wants to share a space together, catch up on neighborhood news and enjoy Minnesota’s best season.
So that’s it. Please open the clubhouse on weekends and groom the trail at least twice a week. We’ll make good use of it. And we'll be grateful that our ski pass dollars are doing something to improve our favorite trail.
Thanks for listening.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
December 5, 2013
Reached 100 supporters
November 18, 2013
139 Comments
This is my "go to" spot for a quick or relatively easy Nordic ski. I live within bicycling distance of Lake Hiawatha. It is a great place to introduce new skiers to the sport. I fully support the requests listed in this petition.
This is a wonderful effort! Un-groomed trails lead to people skiing in many different areas taking away from the quality of skiing at Hiawatha. Completely agree regarding the $45 trail pass and going all the way to Theodore Wirth for groomed trails.
I love Hiawatha golf course for skiing. I go at least 2 dozen times over the winter and it is my nature in the city winter experience (I see two foxes and one coyote every winter!) . Quiet, open, convenient! Let's keep it well groomed and maintained!
The Hiawatha clubhouse used to be open in the winter and one could even rent skis there. Now that we have to pay to ski in Mpls, I don't see why some of these fees couldn't be applied to the local trails.
I learned to ski at Hiawatha almost 40 years ago. I love to ski there still when I return for a visit, although the quality has diminished. Grooming twice a week and an open clubhouse is not too much to ask for the neighborhood.
Want my kids to get into CC skiing and no better way than to have a nice local trail.
Want my kids to get into CC skiing and no better way than to have a nice local trail.
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Those of us who have signed this petition love Nordic skiing at Hiawatha Golf Course each winter but feel the experience could be greatly improved, particularly for the $45 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board fee we pay to use the facility.
Our wish list is not long: groom the trails at least twice a week and open the clubhouse on weekends, at least for a few hours.
Here’s our pitch:
Most ski areas talk about their trails. At Hiawatha, we talk about *the* trail, because there’s just one. It’s small, for sure, but Hiawatha is a special place to those of us who use it. The wide open spaces mean parents can easily keep an eye on their kids as everyone skis at their own pace. The gentle slopes make it an ideal place for beginners, or for those who want to try skate skiing for the first time. Experienced skiiers who live in South Minneapolis can rack up some kilometers without the longer drive over to Theodore Wirth.
It’s a special place for others, too: snowshoers, skijorers, people out for a walk with or without a dog. While it’s fantastic that Hiawatha serves all forms of winter recreation, the foot traffic chews up Hiawatha’s trail. Grooming the less-than-two-mile trail at least twice a week seems feasible, and would keep the trail in good shape for skiiers.
We also want to see the clubhouse opened to the public on weekends. It’s a fantastic asset and should be put to use. It wouldn’t take much time to create a space where neighbors could meet up, share a hot chocolate and head out onto the trail. After skiing, families and groups could spend time with each other, talking about the day while people warm up.
We talk about building community in our neighborhoods, but wintertime requires some effort. It’s a time of year when people don’t linger in their yards or on their front steps. The clubhouse, if even just for a few hours on weekend afternoons, could serve everyone in the community who wants to share a space together, catch up on neighborhood news and enjoy Minnesota’s best season.
So that’s it. Please open the clubhouse on weekends and groom the trail at least twice a week. We’ll make good use of it. And we'll be grateful that our ski pass dollars are doing something to improve our favorite trail.
Thanks for listening.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
December 5, 2013
Reached 100 supporters
November 18, 2013
139 Comments
I saw more people skiing at Hiawatha on 01/04/14 than I have ever seen in the 17 years I've lived in the neighborhood. Everyone I encountered asked me if I knew when the trails would be groomed again. There definitely is demand and interest!
This is my "go to" spot for a quick or relatively easy Nordic ski. I live within bicycling distance of Lake Hiawatha. It is a great place to introduce new skiers to the sport. I fully support the requests listed in this petition.
This is a wonderful effort! Un-groomed trails lead to people skiing in many different areas taking away from the quality of skiing at Hiawatha. Completely agree regarding the $45 trail pass and going all the way to Theodore Wirth for groomed trails.
I love Hiawatha golf course for skiing. I go at least 2 dozen times over the winter and it is my nature in the city winter experience (I see two foxes and one coyote every winter!) . Quiet, open, convenient! Let's keep it well groomed and maintained!
The Hiawatha clubhouse used to be open in the winter and one could even rent skis there. Now that we have to pay to ski in Mpls, I don't see why some of these fees couldn't be applied to the local trails.
I learned to ski at Hiawatha almost 40 years ago. I love to ski there still when I return for a visit, although the quality has diminished. Grooming twice a week and an open clubhouse is not too much to ask for the neighborhood.
Want my kids to get into CC skiing and no better way than to have a nice local trail.
Want my kids to get into CC skiing and no better way than to have a nice local trail.
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I saw more people skiing at Hiawatha on 01/04/14 than I have ever seen in the 17 years I've lived in the neighborhood. Everyone I encountered asked me if I knew when the trails would be groomed again. There definitely is demand and interest!