Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
This lot at the intersection of Midland Avenue and Lowell Street in Ironwood was donated to the city by nearby Zion Lutheran Church to be developed into park this summer.
By TOM LAVENTURE
Ironwood - The Ironwood Parks and Recreation Committee on Monday prioritized projects for the city's 2021 capital improvement plan and recommended for approval by the city planning commission.
Playgrounds and park systems are tools for attracting people who are considering a move to the city, said Tom Bergman, director of community development for the city of Ironwood. They are also important factors for families when considering where to purchase a home, he said.
Existing Ironwood playgrounds are currently located at Depot Park, Norrie Park, Longyear Park, Hiawatha Park, the Lake/Ayer Street Playground, Peterson Tennis Courts, and Curry Park. The parks without new playground equipment for 10 years include Hiawatha, Peterson, and Curry, Bergman said.
The committee selected Hiawatha as the highest priority for having the oldest equipment and for the potential growth and improvement of the area around the monument and the historical mining equipment.
"Hiawatha is more of a priority in terms of scarcity of location," Bergman said in comparing the distances from neighborhoods to park locations.
Longyear Park was also determined a priority with possible antiquated or potentially hazardous playground equipment to remove, and for its large space and popularity with families to justify more equipment to be added.
Linda Jindrich, vice chair, recommended taking a serious look at Longyear. The nearby Peterson Tennis Courts site offers limited space and Longyear Park is just one block away.
"We should determine what equipment needs to go and what needs to be added (at Longyear)," she said.
Sam Davey, committee chair, said it is worth considering to place restrooms at Longyear. He would also like to see skating ovals or ribbons at Longyear park and at Hiawatha.
Curry Park also has old equipment but before a decision is made to upgrade, Bergman said he would determine if enough children from the campground use the park to justify new equipment.
Priority locations for new playgrounds include two in neighborhoods north of U.S. 2. The "west" location is already approved to be built this summer on property at Midland and Lowell Street that was donated by the nearby Zion Lutheran Church. An "east" location park location will be determined for a future project.
The committee reviewed other potential park locations at the city's Little League field, at Jessieville, Aurora and Newport location neighborhoods, and the Norrie Park School location.
The committee considered Norrie School as an ideal property for a park and playground. The Jesseville location also presented many opportunities but might involve property acquisition.
The decision on these parks was put on hold as the work involved to apply for the 2021 grants would likely extend past the deadlines.
The city has applied for park project grants with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. Projects under $50,000 have been successful thus far.
The trust fund requires a 25% minimum match for a grant application, Bergman said. The city improves its grant score considerably by providing a 26% match, which would be $13,000 for a $50,000 grant.
