You may know about Semer’s Park and Whiteside Park, but did you know there is a Veteran’s Memorial Park and a downtown Pocket Park? Before any of those four existed there only was Sandy Point - a beach and swimming “park” owned by the Oliver Mining Co. It was unofficially open to the public.
Early in the 1900s there was a “push” for a public park - in fact for both a public park on the east and the west end of town. In 1916, John and Evelyn Semer deeded land to the city for a swimming beach and park on Shagawa Lake.
About the same time Robert and Sophia Whiteside gave the city 18 city blocks off Sheridan Street on the east end of town. It was basically then just a barren field. By 1921 when still nothing had been done about developing a park, the Whitesides gave the city an ultimatum: do something here or forfeit the land. The city sprang into action. It still remained largely undeveloped based on a picture from 1924 although the city had begun planting some trees.
Over the years picnic tables and playground equipment were added. An imposing log band shell, pavilion, and restroom building were added in the 1980s.
In 1941 the Semers donated additional land for the Shagawa beach site. The owners of the three privately owned nearby islands, Windsock, Big and Little Islands, were persuaded to donate these to the city for park purposes. Log bridges connected the shore to the islands. The mining company closed Sandy Point in 1941 due to nearby mining activity and liability issues. In 1942 the city made Semers an official park.
The rockwork fire grills and tables were constructed by the young men from the National Youth Administration in 1942. They were rebuilt in 2016 by the Northern Bedrock Conservation Corps. The stone kitchen bathhouse, and restroom buildings were built in 1943, also by young men from the National Youth Administration.
In 1945 the mining company had the pavilion building from Sandy Point moved to Semers Park. It was placed onto a walkout basement. Sometime in the 1970s the building collapsed from the weight of the snow on the roof. Industrial Arts students were recruited for reconstructing the building.
The pavilion building is used for parties and even occasional church gatherings in the summer. Otherwise the beach property is much used for swimming, volleyball, picnicking, and other activities using as a large fire pit. Much playground equipment is there for children.
Whiteside Park also is very busy: Fourth of July, the Blueberry/Art Festival, the Harvest Moon Festival, the Farmers Market, Ely city band concerts and many other smaller activities bring many locals and tourists here.
A group of dedicated gardeners tend weekly to a large raised garden. Bill and Holly Rom donated two cast sculptures featuring the era of the canoe in the Boundary Waters. These are situated near the raised flower garden. The park is an extremely popular place for children to play on various equipment or to just dig in the sand piles. There are many pieces of playground equipment.
The newest city park is the Veterans’ Memorial Park just north of the train depot building. In 2015, Dick Zahn garnered a $5,000 donation from the American Legion and more came from the IRRRB. The city created a nicely landscaped area with attractive benches..
The pocket park on Chapman Street is owned by the Ott family. In 2017, at the their expense, the open area created by the demolition of a building, was landscaped. A replica of a Beaver seaplane has now been included. Kids are especially enamored by this addition.
These parks are within easy reach here in Ely. All are used the year around.
For additional information, please check out the Windows into Yesterday exhibit at the Vermilion Campus of Minnesota North. It’s in the lobby between the museum and the office. You may also call or email the historical society at 218.365.3226 or [email protected]
