Estuary Extravaganza (Photos)
The St. Louis River Alliance hosted the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail at Chambers Grove Park in Duluth, Minnesota on September 28, 2022. Over 100 community members came out to celebrate the St. Louis River and the new national designation.
The evening was filled with free family fun; nature-inspired educational activities from Twin Ports non-profits and outdoor recreation groups, live music, chalk art, s’more roasting, local food and a short program. During the program, community leaders shared their personal stories about the River and what this designation means. The program commenced with an official ribbon cutting from Mayor Emily Larson, City of Duluth; Mayor Jim Payne, City of Superior; Liz Olson, Minnesota House Representative; Kris Eilers, St. Louis River Alliance Executive Director; Thomas Howes, Fond du Lac Natural Resource Program Manager; Rachel Loeffler-Kemp, Regional Outreach Director for US Senator Amy Klobuchar; Shelly Patten,NE Regional Director MN Dept. of Natural Resources.
“The National Water Trail is a celebration of a river in recovery after decades of restoration efforts, and none of it would have been possible without the help of the community. The National Water Trail will help us reconnect to the river and continue to care for it.” said Kris Eilers, St. Louis River Alliance Executive Director.
The St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail boasts 11 looped routes for paddlers of all skill levels and abilities and is intended for various watercraft use. By providing access to wild spaces in an urban area, the National Water Trail enables more people the opportunity to build their own memories and relationships to the St. Louis River.
In March of 2017, the City of Duluth and many Minnesota and Wisconsin partners completed and approved the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan was then submitted to the National Parks Service and in October 2020, the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail was officially designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior and included in the National Parks Trail System. Due to Covid restrictions, the St. Louis River Alliance was unable to host a ribbon cutting ceremony until this year.
The St. Louis River Alliance is the managing organization of the National Water Trail, and is responsible for coordinating stakeholders in implementing the St. Louis River Estuary National Water Trail Master Plan. The St. Louis River Alliance is a non-profit working in Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota. Their mission is to protect, restore and enhance the St. Louis River.
If you are interested in learning more about the National Water Trail, the St. Louis River Alliance has free maps available outside our office (394 S Lake Ave. Duluth), or go to our website: www.stlouisriver.org/national-water-trail.
If you are interested in supporting the Alliance's work, you can become a member today at www.stlouisriver.org/become-a-member. Membership dues help us continue to bring people together for events, habitat projects and planning.
