Ironwood finds new way to placemake Hiawatha Park

What’s happening: A new crowdfunding campaign is underway to develop a new playground in Ironwood. The completed project will take equal funding from private donations, crowdfunding efforts and a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant to expand a local park in a creative placemaking effort benefiting all ages. 

How did this start: The playground will go to Hiawatha Park in Ironwood, which was founded in 1964. New interest in Hiawatha Park was sparked a few years ago after updates and maintenance were made to its famous 52-foot-tall statue of a Native American man. A private donation by a local doctor will pay for one-third of the estimated $150,000 playground with a Public Spaces, Community Places grant from the MEDC funding another $50,000. 

What they’re saying: “The city of Ironwood is excited to partner with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Patronicity to develop a new playground for the Historic Hiawatha Park in Ironwood,” said Tom Bergman, Ironwood Community Development director. “Located just a few blocks up the hill from downtown Ironwood, this high visibility park is an iconic landmark in Ironwood. With the help of the MEDC, Patronicity, and all the people that care about making Ironwood a better place for visitors, families, and residents, we can make this playground possible.”

What’s next: Continuing crowdfunding efforts is the goal for the greater Ironwood community as donations will be collected by the online platform Patronicity. While other communities have used the municipal-government-focused donation platform before, this is the first time that Patronicity has been used in the western Upper Peninsula.