The Monday, June 25 Rushford Council meeting hit at a details for a number of community betterment projects and events.
The city is continuing to partner with the Minnesota Department of Transportation through an agreement aimed at improving the landscape of the city, particularly downtown areas. Phase 1 and 2 are already complete and Phase 3 will be implemented this fall. It calls for the acquisition of landscape materials to be placed adjacent to Highway 43 south and Highway 16 west. Participating cities are eligible for up to $8,000 annually and can utilize the funds to purchase plant materials such as trees and shrubs.
Phase 3 will start at south end Root River Bridge and includes the planting of trees along roadway. Preliminary plans also suggest a low-height planting of some sort at the intersection of Highway 43 and Highway 16, on the side adjacent to Pam’s Corner Convenience and another planting on the side adjacent to Kwik Trip. Also mentioned by City Clerk Kathy Zacher was the planting of trees by the Graham-owned building, housing State Farm Insurance, to mitigate vehicles cutting through the parking lot boulevard area.
The inclusion of some sort of perennial planting was also suggested. “It all depends on people who are able to do maintenance after,” cautioned Zacher. Public Works Department isn’t able to add care of significant planting areas to its current work schedule. It was also suggested by state landscape designers to move the Welcome to Rushford sign at the south Highway 16 entrance to the city somewhere nearer to north side of the Root River Bridge.
“It will all help soften the entryway into our city,” noted Councilor Terri Benson.
The city will also continue planning for next year’s plans, in anticipation of the continuing agreement. Several ideas for downtown hardscaped areas have been suggested by the state and may include removal of some concrete areas to allow for tree planting. If it happens, the city will be responsible for the costs related to removal of concrete sections.
In other news, the city council discussed plans that continue to evolve for services related to the return of remains of Rushford native Joseph Morris Johnson. The navy seaman served on the USS Oklahoma and was killed in action at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Johnson’s remains were recently recovered and are being returned to his family in Rushford.
According to Zacher Johnson’s remains will be flown into Minneapolis Friday, July 6. That evening, at the I-90/Highway 43 south interchange, a motorcycle brigade, led by the American Legion Riders, will provide an escort into the city. A patriot honor guard and naval color guard will attend the remains. Rushford’s own color guard will act as ceremonial pallbearers.
Saturday, July 7 a service is scheduled to take place at the new Veterans Memorial Park, weather permitting. Representatives from the U.S. Navy and The Office of Veterans Affairs will be present for the service. Following the service, a memorial service is expected to be held, at 1 p.m., at Rushford Lutheran Church, with burial immediately following at the church’s cemetery. A portion of Highway 30 may be temporarily closed for the burial.
“We’re looking at 1,000 people being here,” said Zacher. “There are a lot of details they’re still working on, but they’re getting a handle on it. There will be a fellowship at Creekside [Park] after the service. There may be more than 100 motorcycles.” Public Works, the Rushford Police Department and Rushford Fire Department, as well as Emergency Medical Services, are expected to be involved in the day’s events. The city is anticipating a formal itinerary to be out soon.
The city is also planning ahead for this year’s Bluff Land Triathlon event. Now in its fourth year, the event is slated to be held Saturday, October 13, beginning and ending at Creekside Park. The event benefits the Foundation for Rushford-Peterson Schools.
According to Councilor Sally Ryman, who is involved with the event, routes have been changed from previous years. The hike portion of the triathlon will be a 1.4 mile trek up the groomed Magelssen Bluff trails. The new trail route will take participants out to the new overlook and down the stair climber route. Following, a 14.2 mile bike ride will head from Rushford and out past Peterson, before returning to Rushford. The 5K walk/run will head east from Rushford, along the Root River Trail towards Houston and loop back to Rushford. This year, the events will be done in specific order because of new electronic chip timing that is in place.
Also new this year is a Junior BLT (Bluff Land Triathlon). Geared for kids aged 10 and under, the event will kick off around 9 a.m., at the Niggle Field Sports Complex of Rushford-Peterson Schools.
Participants in either the main triathlon or the junior event may take on just one of the three events or all three. Family pricing is included. More details can be found on the events Facebook page: www.facebook.com/blufflandtriathlon.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Monday, July 9, at 6:30 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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