STEVENSVILLE, Mich. — Stevensville City Hall He spent the last four years developing a project to build a much-needed pavilion with publicly accessible restrooms at Hickory Creek Park.

The council along with the parks committee worked together to approve this project and came to the conclusion that the park needed to expand.

After conducting a survey on their park systems, the biggest comment from the community was the lack of restrooms, highlighting the need for a pavilion at Hickory Creek Park.

Hickory Creek Park has already received the state grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to support community development, but under some terms and conditions.

The council will need to raise $75,000 to secure the state grant and will match it, bringing the total of $150,000 needed to see these important improvements.

The project has suffered the impacts of inflation and some ups and downs throughout the project, but the town council is excited to see this finally become a reality.

American Electric Power and the Upton Foundation, along with other local businesses, have made significant contributions, bringing them to the $15,000 they already have in donations.

The work is not over and the community’s support is needed as they race to raise another $60,000 they need to reach their goal.

Stevensville City Council President David Wenger explains the details of the new path to additional trails and resources soon to be developed in the area.

“Aside from just looking at this as a pavilion with bathrooms and a kitchen, we really want it to be, you know, a cornerstone for the community, but also a recreational center.” Wegner said “There are other entities building trails along Hickory Creek here. “There will be private funding for a bridge that will be able to connect some additional park areas along with the jump park behind us.”

Community support is essential for the project to be a success. If the money is raised, the project is expected to begin next spring.