A Houghton resident gives her suggestions for Houghton's park improvements at an open house led by City Manager Eric Waara, second from left, at the Council chambers on Wednesday. Mary Christine Stevens/for the Mining Gazette

By Mary Christine Stevens

For the Mining Gazette

HOUGHTON — The Houghton City Council hosted a Neighborhood Parks Planning Open House on Wednesday.

The open house, led by City Manager Eric Waara, was open to the public. City planners were hoping to get feedback on some proposed changes and improvements to Houghton’s Garnet Street, West Houghton and Woodhaven parks. Several community members and city officials were in attendance. They began by distributing a packet with a list of the city’s proposed park projects. 

Several suggestions were made, including adding adult fitness equipment to the parks, refurbishing picnic tables and other social areas, adding grills and installing more water fountains across all three parks. Pickleball was also mentioned. Some city residents want to add a brand new pickleball court, while others would be willing to settle for adding pickleball court lines to the already existing tennis courts. 

Accessibility was another main point of discussion. Most of Houghton’s city parks are not ADA compliant, and residents want to change that. Adding ADA compliant swings and benches was suggested. It was also mentioned that the city could expand the Garnet Street Park into the permanently-closed Vivian Street. This would allow residents with mobility restrictions to have easier access to the park, instead of having to climb up laborious hills and many steps. 

“We want this to be the nicest place to live,” said City Manager Eric Waara. He emphasized that there were no bad ideas, and encouraged attendees to speak up and openly express their opinions. “The city wants to promote living. That’s why we’re doing this.”  

After residents had shared their suggestions, they moved to possible concerns and setbacks with the improvements. These included wildlife disturbance due to construction, an increased need for maintenance, increased noise complaints and misuse of facilities. Waara himself brought up the latter, referencing an incident a few years ago where a public bathroom had to be closed down, due to local teens using it for “terrible things” for a TikTok challenge. 

Despite many good ideas and suggestions, it’s unknown what the city will be able to provide. The improvements would be funded by leftover American Rescue Plan money, which the city acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waara said there was about $120,000 available, and so they may not be able to make every improvement mentioned.

He explained that the next step in the improvement process is to have discussions with the city council, and decide how much money the city will spend on each park. 

City of Houghton Neighborhood Park Proposed Projects

Woodhaven Park

-Development of an outdoor ice rink by 2028–$25,000

-Add pickleball courts to the rink area in the summer months by 2028–$8,000

West Houghton Park

-Outdoor rink improvements by end of 2024–$10,000

-Build a roof over the ice rink by 2026–$200,000

-Add pickleball courts to the rink area in the summer months by 2025–$8,000

-Repair/replace fencing by end of 2024–$10,000

-Repair/replace lighting by end f 2024–$20,000

-Repair/replace signage by end of 2024–$2,000

Garnet Street Park

-Resurface tennis courts and fix fencing along Seventh Avenue by end of 2024–$30,000

-Add pickleball court to the tennis court by end of 2024–$2,000

-Define sidewalk from parking area to playground by 2025–$15,000

-Increase accessibility along the hillside between the tennis courts and playground by 2025–$50,000