Paul Swanstrom makes another luge track for families to enjoy

By Bruce Karnick

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Last year, after 50 years of making a luge track into his back yard, Paul Swanstrom was not sure if he would make another. But Swanstrom is a big kid at heart and as much as he loves to see the kids go down the track, he loves building it and riding it himself.

When people ask, “Where’s the best place to take the kids sledding in Hastings?”, there are three main answers – the Middle School hill, the Courthouse, and Lions Park. The ponding basin off Louis Lane used to be on the list, but the changes made by the city years ago made it no longer an option for sledding. There is one place that few of us know about that kids from Kennedy Elementary, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and other youth groups experienced, a handmade luge style run on the east side of town.

This icy track started back in 1970, when Swanstrom decided to build something cool for his son, literally.

“My son was probably about 3-years-old at the time. It wasn't as elaborate. It wasn't iced down,” Swanstrom explained.

Over the years, he learned a lot by trial and error. Some builds he would have air gaps that break open, and he’d have to fill them in with a slushy mix. Other years, there just wasn’t enough snow because of the weather. Swanstrom has built the course “probably 25 years out of the last 50,” he said.

When talking about his creation, it is clear that he has a lot of pride and great memories from the various builds and techniques he has learned. From using plywood to create the backing for the wall, only using snow that has gone through a snowblower, to using watering cans with water so cold there is a thin layer of ice formed on top, his experience building the luge track shows.

His track building experience has taught Swanstrom that testing is key. Depending on the time of year and how the weather has been, the track can be extremely fast. “So fast, you’ll shoot right over the bank if you’re not careful,” he joked.

If the track is a little fast for the day, he just tosses some snow down the launch ramp or moves the starting point of the riders. If it is a little on the slow side, he has room to back the sliders up at the start too. The most important piece of this is safety.

Swanstrom does require a parent to sign a waiver saying they understand the rules and that he is not responsible for their use of the track.

How long does it take him to build this track?

“It takes about 40 hours over a period of maybe two weeks to get it all done. And you have to use the snow that's gone through a blower. If you put the snow through a blower, you can stack it up pretty easy just with a shovel,” Swanstrom stated.

For 2022, it took a bit more. Mother Nature tricked him. He had the track built and ready to go, and after three days of warm temps it was all gone.

The hard part is, there is a sweet spot for making it and using it. “The conditions are only good for about four to six weeks. If it can be used past the middle of February, then it’s been a good year,” Swanstrom said.

What does Swanstrom get out of this?

“I get the joy of making it for one, and with the pandemic, what the heck else am I going to do? Also, I enjoy people having fun and being out, shouting and laughter and the ‘weeeee’ and the screeching. It’s great,” he said with a smile.

Swanstrom added, he does want users to come prepared with proper face coverings for everyone’s protection.

Once instructions are given, Swanstrom will give a demonstration on how to safely ride. “I’m not even the oldest person to ride this,” he explained. “The oldest person was 84 years old.”

In an interview last winter, after riders left, Swanstrom gave the rundown on the how’s and the why’s. Then reality set in. “This is probably the last year I’m going to do this,” he said.

“It’s a lot of work and doesn’t get much use anymore,” he said, a sadness entering his words.

That is where you come in. Swanstrom would love to share his passion for his luge track with the community. Leave your sleds at home, he has ones that work best on this track.

If you want to pay him a visit and use the sledding track, it looks like there are several weeks of prime weather to do so. He asks that you give him a call at 651-4372566 to arrange a time to come over. He’ll give you the address and go over his expectations. He does not ask for anything in return other than seeing and hearing the kids having fun and being respectful.

Photo Submitted

Photo Submitted

Julia makes her first turn after the starting hill launched her down the track. Pro tip, don’t lean too far in the corners or you will tip over.