Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report /
IronCounty
2 South 6th Street
Crystal Falls, Michigan 49920-1400
Phone: 906-875-6642 / E-mail:
Fax:906-875-6775
Web:msue.msu.edu/iron
May 2009
MSU Small Town Design Initiative may help bring disc golf to Iron County
The Iron River Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Iron County Chamber of Commerce were looking for help in putting abandoned mining property into productive use.
They called on MSU to help and found Warren Rauhe, director of the School of Planning, Design and Construction and the Small Town Design Initiative (STDI).
The STDI is for communities with fewer than 15,000 residents. It brings together MSU’s teaching, research and extension capacities to provide assistance that might cost thousands of dollars from the private sector.
In Iron County, Rauhe guided a student group and, working through MSU Extension, provided draft designs of a proposed disc golf course to be constructed on the site.
The DDA and chamber support the project and its potential for tourism opportunities. The property once housed three mining companies and the remains of the round house and railroad trestles will provide backdrops to an 18-hole course incorporating the natural surrounding of the Iron River, Apple Blossom Walking Trail and an RV park that is located within the city limits.
The design of the course will take advantage of the natural terrain, beauty of the Iron River--ablue ribbon trout stream--easy access with use ofthe walking trail and facilities that could support tournament play.
In the fall of 2008 Rauhe met with a local committee that was formed to share a desire to create a tourism opportunity while maintaining the clean environment that Iron River offers to visitors and residents.
This picture shows the current state of the property. It provides little commercial or residential re-use opportunities to this portion of the community, yet it is rich in history and natural resource recreation use.
This image uses computer enhancement to show what the same site may look like once the disc golf course has been completed. The course would have little effect on the environment, yet provide an outdoor activity for families and tournament players. Plans call for historic interpretive signs along the course.
Continued
Small Town Design Initiative—completed
The STDI includes three phases. An initial visit, follow-up visit with a design plan and final visit during which Rauhe’s team assists with preparation for the construction. With final input from the committee members and community meeting presentation, a working design will provide the construction team with direction to complete the course. A tentative schedule of a summer 2009 construction period could allow course play for the early fall color outdoor activity.
Publicity about the project has generated interest from summer visitors requesting notification when the course will be ready for play. Local residents are inquiring about lessons on how to play the game.
Contact: MSU Extension Director Julie Melchiori
906-875-0603 e-mail
Bioenergy, economic development shared at Sustainable Forestry Conference
The fifth annual Sustainable Forestry Conference was attended by some 150 Michigan and Wisconsin forest and land managers, economic development staff, local government officials, wood product industry providers, state legislative representatives and others.
The steering committee included Bill Cook and Julie Melchiori of MSU Extension, Corrine Seaman of UW Extension, and representatives from Bay Lake Regional Planning, Florence County Economic Development, Lumberjack Resource CDC, Inc., Marinette County Association for Business and Industry, Inc., the USDA Forest Service and Wisconsin DNR.
Cook presented sessions titled, “Energy, Woody Biomass and Other Abstract Ideas” and, “Heating Schools with Wood.” Melchiori presented, “Iron County Michigan New Sawmill Case Study,” which provided information on the success of a collaborative community effort to assist with infrastructure needs for Pine River Hardwoods, LLC’s new $8 million sawmill in Amasa, Mich. The coordination of local, state and federal guidance and funding assistance was the key to the success of the investment in this northern region.
Pine River’s new 57,000-square-foot building is equipped with more than $6 million in high tech equipment. Infrastructure funding assistance included a waterline extension worth $800,000 supported by Hematite Township in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and USDA Rural Development and in excess of $250,000 of Class A road improvements to Corral Road partnering from MDOT and Iron County Economic Development Corporation.
Contact: MSU Extension Director, Julie Melchiori at 906-875-0603 or .
Baking bread is third grade tradition
Debby Nowak, MSU Extension’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education associate has been baking bread in a bag and breaking bread with area third gradersfor 15 years.
The healthy nutrition exercise has become a tradition, and the experience makes a lasting impression. Forest Park School third grade teachers send this note home with each child who makes a loaf of bread.
Your child has been learning about nutrition and good health habits. Mrs. Nowak has been coming to the third grade classrooms and doing some wonderful hands-on activities with the children. These activities will encourage life-long health and cleanliness habits.
One of the activities that we have enjoyed is baking bread! How exciting! The children are very proud of what they have accomplished. Your whole family will enjoy the fruits of this labor. Please take some time to ask your child about his/her experience of baking bread. We would appreciate it if you would respond with comments.
Some of the parents’ responses included:
“Hunter thought it was fun. He was excited for us to try the bread. He insisted that we butter it. We all enjoyed it.”
Another parent said, “We had a great time making and tasting the bread. It was delicious! I think it helped Hannah learn how to follow a recipe and realize just exactly how much work goes into one loaf of bread.”
“The teachings are wonderful and greatly needed and appreciated. I am happy to know Leah is learning such useful activities.”
Comments: “Very Good Job, Good Bread. Robert did a great job. That is all he talked about all night. What a great learning experience for the kids.”
Contact: Debby Nowak
906-875-0606, e-mail
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.