TOWER— Have questions about the planned changes at the Moccasin Point public landing on Lake Vermilion? Then you’ll want to attend the open house set for Wednesday, June 18 at the Herbert Lamppa Civic Center in Tower.
The Department of Natural Resources, which owns the property, will be sharing their plans for extensive upgrades at the site and will be taking public input on the proposal from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The new access point, once reconstructed, is expected to include 98 parking spaces, a concrete pier and four docks, an AIS cleaning station, and stormwater management. Construction on the site is slated to begin after the 2025 boating season and will continue through September 2026, which will require regular users of the landing to find an alternate access point until work is completed. Blackduck Bay is the nearest PWA, 1.3 miles to the west.
Project priorities include:
Optimizing the parking opportunities on the site, including more clearly identifying all spaces and delineating ADA-accessible spaces for vehicle-trailer combinations and single vehicles.
Managing stormwater and stabilizing the shoreline to protect water quality.
Adding facilities for watercraft inspection to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Adding new, redesigned boat ramps and boarding docks to improve traffic flow and safety.
Adding a barge-loading ramp and space for transferring equipment and materials to and from barges.
Replacing the concrete loading pier for transferring supplies and equipment from vehicles to boats.
Adding mooring docks for short-term boat parking.
Adding a canoe/kayak launch area.
Barge operations, short-term boat mooring and overnight parking will continue to be allowed at the upgraded access, to the extent these activities are consistent with Minnesota rules and statutes.
The project is funded by Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences), a historic, one-time investment of $150 million to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whichever outdoor experience they choose.
A long-term plan
The DNR acquired the former resort property in 2008 to maintain the existing public water access and provide no-fee parking at this important mid-lake access. In June 2013, several buildings were removed to facilitate future site development. Site design has proceeded intermittently since 2014, but funding for development was not available until the Get Out MORE legislation.
To see the draft site plan, get more information, and stay up-to-date on the project’s progress, visit the construction updates webpage (mndnr.gov/moccasin-point-pwa).