Over the past 7 years, a citizens task force has helped to bring many improvements to City Beach. A recent grant will allow for even more changes at the beach.
Recent improvements include the addition of 6 tent sites and a tent pad, barbecue grills, campfire rings, a picnic table, a water slide for toddlers, a swim platform for older kids and adults, annual flowers and various other things.
This year, City Beach received $34,710 from the Otto Bremer Foundation, which has been used to renovate of the bath house. The money helped to add showers, new bathrooms and changing areas, and fresh paint. The refurbishing is nearly complete, and the public will be able to use the updated bath house this summer.
“We’re really excited about the new refurbishing of the bath house,” said international Falls City Councilor Pete Kalar, a member of the City Beach citizen’s committee and the chairman of the city’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. “It’s going to be really nice for people to use.”
City Beach has also received $2,000 from the city to go towards playground equipment. On top of this, it has also received $1,300 from McDonald’s, $5,000 from the Marshall N. Knudson Family Foundation, $1,000 from Minnesota Power, and more grant requests have been made to other organizations. The task force is working to get the equipment ready for children this summer, and is buying the equipment as it is receiving the money to do so, Kalar said.
The International Falls City Council has also authorized complimentary bus service for one month, from June 15 to July 15. The city may continue the service to Aug. 15, but only if residents use it. Shawn Mason, city economy and community development director, encouraged are residents to use the service. She said city officials hope that the complimentary bus service will increase the number of residents using the beach this summer, and are glad that it gives more kids the ability to go to the beach.
