Reviews of the Iron Horse Square Park and the holiday tour of homes were reviewed by the Mineola Landmark Commission last Thursday.

The tour was brought back after missing 2020 and 2021 and was deemed a success.

Ticket sales for the four-home tour netted the commission $1,600, with another $90 in merchandise sales. Discussion on possible homes for the 2023 tour followed.

The park has seen steady improvements through the year, with the latest the addition of a kiosk at the west end of the walking trail which will soon house three informational panels. Shade structures have also been completed, and work is expected to begin soon on the mini-train depot.

Ridership for the mini-train totaled 5,891 for the year, almost identical to 2021.

Members discussed limiting train runs to twice monthly other than during the Halloween and Christmas events when the park is decorated for the season.

Those are the busiest times for the mini-train, along with festivals and Easter.

Ridership included 456 and 554 for Easter runs; 610 for May Fiesta; 441 for Iron Horse Festival; 437, 456 and 427 for Halloween runs; and 401 and 437 for Christmas runs (Dec. 10 had just 114 but closed early due to rain).

Members agreed operating earlier in the day during hot summer months when the heat index is high is a good plan and should be continued.

The commission is planning a brick street event July 1 to commemorate the arrival of the railroad in Mineola in 1873 in conjunction with the city’s sesquicentennial.