City officials recently took emergency action, allotting $8,295 from the Negaunee City Parks Department budget, for the project after working with Marquette County Mine Inspector John Carlson in June.

“It’s not just important because the mine inspector is saying we need to have that there,” Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron said an interview on Monday. “But it will mitigate any hazards to do with folks that may wander off into the woods and come across an area where they may fall and get injured. We are just making sure that folks can be as safe as possible back there. We know that this location is alluring to a lot of people, but at this point it’s not where we want it to be (in order for) the public (to) get back there safely.”

The city of Negaunee acquired approximately 900 acres of land from the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. in 2003, including the former Jackson Mine, the oldest known iron ore mine on the Marquette Iron Range.

Heffron said the city is investigating the potential for more public access in the area at some point in the future.

A Marquette Fence Co. employee places a fence post near the Jackson Mine overlook in Negaunee on Monday. The company was hired by the city of Negaunee to install 360 feet of fencing. The $8,295 project is expected to be completed by the end of this week. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

“If we open that up, we want to do it in a safe and secure manner,” Heffron said.

He said the fence installation should be complete by the end of the week.

The Jackson Mine and surrounding area is one of several locations of concern pointed out by Negaunee city resident Jim Paquette, a retired Cleveland-Cliffs mine safety officer.

Paquette, who said he has been researching former mine properties in the county partially in response to the requests of other area residents, has kept in contact with Carlson and other public officials involved in the matter, he said.

The former mine properties draw locals and visitors alike with the Iron Ore Heritage Trail as well as a Michigan Department of Natrual Resources off-road-vehicle trail, and several mountain bike trails that run adjacent to or through the area.

In addition to the fencing upgrades in Old Town, Heffron said the city will also be placing signs reminding visitors to use caution while in the area.

“Again, I want to remind people to stay on the approved trails and park areas,” Heffron said, “and not just wander in the woods.”