Parks & Recreation

Project Status: Design

Project Overview:

Piedmont Park improvements are based on recommendations made by the City Council approved St. Louis River Corridor Neighborhood Parks Mini Master Plans, passed in June 2016. In 2016, Phase I improvements included vegetation restoration, building improvements, accessible sidewalks, lower and upper ice rink improvements, and new signage. The scope of Phase II includes stormwater management improvements. Piedmont Park is one of thirteen parks along the St. Louis River Corridor that was identified as part of the larger St. Louis River Corridor Initiative. These parks are eligible for designated 1/2 and 1/2 tax funds. The Neighborhood Park Grant Fund is designated to help the City of Duluth accomplish the following six goals in the qualifying parks:

1. Build on and support environmental restoration
2. Enrich neighborhood quality of life
3. Attract new residents to buy homes in St. Louis River Corridor neighborhoods
4. Establish St. Louis River Corridor as major visitor destination
5. Stimulate place-appropriate economic development
6. Leverage additional funding

Project Update:

A virtual public meeting was hosted on Thursday, June 11, the presentation is posted under the Documents header. This presentation covered planned updates to the park consist of stormwater improvements to site drainage, the addition of an accessible pathway through the park, and enhancements to the wetlands between the middle rink and upper ball field. Stormwater management was a significant concern highlighted in the 2016 Council-approved Piedmont Park Mini-Master Plan. Thanks to the support from federal grant dollars, the City will proceed with these improvements.

Funding Source:

The City of Duluth will partner with user groups and residents to co-create and co-manage outdoor recreation experiences in the neighborhood parks along the corridor. The 9:1 match requires that a $10,000 of the project's funding be generated through community efforts, which can include cash donations, other grant funds, in-kind volunteer hours, and in kind donations of materials and professional services.

The community club has leveraged $40,000 in grants, private donations, and in-kind services to meet their match.

Timeline:

Public meetings related to the design and construction process will announced via City of Duluth press releases and community calendars. Please sign up for City of Duluth communication updates, subscribe by using: web subscriptions sign-up

Important Documents:

• St. Louis River Corridor Mini-Master Plan
• Piedmont Park Mini-Master Plan
• Public Meeting Presentation June 11, 2020