Cross-posted from Minnesota Progressive Project
The phrase 'vote early and vote often' is frequently uttered tongue in cheek in northeastern Minnesota on election day. But one can indeed do just that in the Coca Cola America's Favorite State Park contest. Soudan Underground Mine State Park near Tower is competing for $100,000 in prize money to be used for park restoration.
As you may recall, the underground mine suffered a fire in the mine shaft last March. The money is desperately needed to repair the damage done by the fire in order to re-open the National Historic Landmark to visitors.
The Soudan Underground Mine is the oldest and deepest mine in Minnesota, consisting of over 50 miles of tunnels on 27 levels going to depths of approximately 2400 feet. It is home to one of the largest bat populations in Minnesota. Additionally, Level 27 of the mine houses the leading deep underground science laboratory in the nation,a $60 million research facility operated by the University of Minnesota School of Physics.
While the underground mine is currently closed to visitors, the interpretative center and the mine outbuildings remain open to the public. But the Soudan Underground Mine State Park is more than just mining. Located on Stuntz Bay of Lake Vermilion, the beautiful park contains a variety of wildlife habitats, with 5 miles of forested hiking trails winding among the old open-pit mines. Its most famous resident is arguably Lily the Black Bear, who rocketed to world-wide fame last year when millions of viewers watched her give birth to and raise a female cub named Hope.
In fact, The Wildlife Research Institute in Ely and fans of Lily the Black Bear are leading the effort to win the money for park repairs. They successfully spearheaded a drive that netted the 2011 America's Favorite State Park designation for Bear Head State Park near Ely. Until recently, the Soudan park was in the lead. Unfortunately, Oak Park in Minot, North Dakota has now crept ahead and time is running out - the contest ends on 6 September.
Voting is easy. Just click 'vote'. Click 'return' to re-vote. That's it.
C'mon folks, we can't let a state whose official tree is the telephone pole snatch the America's Favorite State Park designation from us!