David's BlogMonday, May 05, 2014Duluth's Remarkable River
The
western half of our beloved city is beginning to receive the attention,
affirmation and investment it so richly deserves. Those of us who reside in the
west side of our Zenith City understand and appreciate the remarkable beauty
available to us all along the scenic St. Louis River Corridor - Duluth's other
shoreline.
We are
a river city as well as a lake city. In recent decades, Duluth has been
abundantly successful at adroitly promoting Duluth as the city on the shores of
the Greatest of the Great Lakes. I have been quick to reference how we live on
the shores of Gitche Gumee, by the shining big sea water.
Conversely,
and regrettably, I have not equally promoted and uplifted our city's twelve
miles of jaw-dropping beauty along the St. Louis River. That was then. This is
now. Count me in as a new disciple of this outdoor recreation destination and
environmental education hub.
Mayor
Ness is also a believer. He is committed to turning this scenic river area into
an outdoor adventure and tourism destination. Right on, Mayor Ness. He
insightfully points out that if not for Lake Superior, Duluth would be defined
as a river city.
My
friend, Tony Dierckins, serves as one of our community's premier resident
historians. Tony adeptly illustrates in his delightful book, Lost Duluth, that
the City of Duluth was established, first, along the St. Louis River. Our great
city gained a foothold and expanded from Fond Du Lac to the west to Belville in
the east. These townships and others came together between 1888 and 1896, to
form the City of Duluth. If not for the St. Louis River, Duluth may not have
survived the many transformations from the days of fur trading to tourism.
Drawing
attention to this rich heritage and to the prospect of turning Western Duluth into
an outdoor adventure destination will require a concerted promotional effort.
Just as the promotion of Canal Park has allowed it to become a premier tourism
destination, the St. Louis River recreation area is poised to become our City's
next great visitor experience. If this vision is realized, it will bring
millions of dollars into our economy along with enhanced amenities for visitors
and residents.
How
will the City of Duluth fund this needed promotional effort? Mayor Ness has a
plan. If you would like to learn of this plan, the Duluth Area Chamber of
Commerce is making it easy to do so. We are partnering with the leadership of
Visit Duluth to host a ninety-minute meeting with Mayor Ness to discuss his
vision for the St. Louis River corridor.
I hope you will take advantage
of this timely opportunity to learn more about Duluth's next extraordinary
tourism destination.
David Ross, President & CEO
posted by David Ross
at
9:04 AM
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