Press Room – Miners Memorial Heritage Park

For immediate release

Dec. 14, 2020

Miner’s Memorial Heritage Park expands XC ski trail

Annual Candlelight event is Sunday, Dec. 27

Major improvements continue at the Miner’s Memorial Heritage Park in Ironwood, Mich., with the expansion of the cross country ski trail system and a new interactive website(https://fmmhp.com/) that allows for online donations.

Volunteers from Friends of Miners Memorial Heritage Park(MMHP) worked earlier this month to build the new 1-kilometer “South Pabst Loop” which passes through a wooded area along a small creek.

The new ski trail, which will be groomed for classic and skate skiing, brings the length of the outer loop to a full 5-kilometers.

“We’re so fortunate to have a great trail system centrally located that offers something for everybody,” said Rick Semo, president of the Friends of MMHP and a member of the Ironwood City Commission.

The Miner’s Friendsgroup is also again holding its annual Candlelight Snowshoe event on Sunday Dec. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Due to COVID restrictions, the event will be entirely outdoors, with parking at the Ironwood School Bus Garage on Ayer Street, just east of Lake Street.

Lanterns will be set along the trails to guide walkers, snowshoers or skiers. There is no group starting time and participants should simply arrive when they can.

The hike/ski is free but Friends of MMHP is asking for a $5 per adult donation. The Candlelight Showshoe is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Friends group.

Participants can also visit the Friends Website (https://fmmhp.com/) and sign up there. You can also become members of the Friends and makes donations for trail grooming, which is done entirely by volunteers.

“Getting this new Website up and running is a big step forward,” said Rich Scott, membership chair for the Friends of MMHP. “People can join the group or help us out with covering our grooming costs.”

Established in 2010 in a former iron ore mining site, the Miner’s Memorial Heritage Park features 5 kilometers of groomed cross country ski trails along with 6miles of snowshoe/hiking trails. It’s part of the city of Ironwood parks system https://cityofironwood.org/ironwood-parks/

“This park honors the impact of our rich history but also looks forward and welcomes newcomers,” said Carol Erickson, secretary of the Friends of MMHP. “Through all four seasons, Miner’s Park embodies Ironwood’s slogan “Find Your North.”

The SISU Ski Festival racecourse also uses a portion of the Miner’s trail system on its 30-kilometer route from ABR Trails south of Ironwood to the “Finnish Line” at the new downtown City Square. The SISU is being held as a virtual event this year, with skiers recording their own times and logging in the results via the Internet.

For more information:

Mike Ivey, publicity chair FMMHP

mikeiveyxc@gmail.com

608-334-9455

Miners Memorial Heritage Park

Shorter: Miners Park

About: The Miners Memorial Heritage Park is an Ironwood City Park developed and managed by the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park, a nonprofit 501. (c).3 organization, funded by public donations; Miners Park is a cooperative effort of the City of Ironwood, the Ironwood Area Schools, and the Lighthouse Family Church.

Facebook Page: facebook.com/fmmhp

Facebook Group: Facebook Group

Website: fmmhp.com

Instagram: Miners Park Ironwood

Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park

Shorter: Friends of the Miners Park

About: A Facebook group dedicated to the public and Friends of the Miners Park members to discuss park operations, events, activities, and plans for the park. A nonprofit 501. (c).3 organization.

Facebook Group/Member page: Friends of the Miners Facebook Group