Marquette celebrated the grand opening of the new playground in its Bench neighborhood on July 10. Improvements include a new basketball court and playground equipment, replacing pieces that had deteriorated after 30 years of use.

A volunteer committee consisting of city officials and members of the Marquette Action Club began meeting over two years ago to envision updates to the Bench Recreation Area. The group also began fundraising for the $140,000 project, which included a $50,000 grant from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation, $50,000 from the city of Marquette and $10,000 on behalf of the Action Club.

“It’s a big deal,” said Patrick Young, who heads up the Action Club which has been spearheading community projects for over 50 years—including some at this very park.

“Initially, they were the ones who purchased the lights up here for the ball diamond,” he said. “So they’ve had quite a bit of involvement with this and a lot of the other parks in town too.”

Located in Marquette’s biggest residential area, the playground gets a lot of use, noted Young.

“I just did a head count of families up here and their kids and grandkids who frequent it, and there’s 35 or 40 here under the age of 18. It gets used a lot. Plus there are little league games here, and that draws a crowd. Then this thing is full,” he continued.

With some vacation rentals located nearby, the park gets other out-of-town visitors, too.

“Families that stay at those on the weekend, you see them utilizing the playground also,” said Marquette Mayor Brittany Hemmer.

The park is utilized beyond the summer. A nearby sledding hill is popular among area kids. The previous basketball court was also flooded in the winter, when weather permitted, to form an ice skating rink. It wasn’t easy, though, with the need for a plastic base and a sand bag border.

Marquette City Manager Bonnie Basemann said the improved basketball court, with a curbed perimeter and drain in the center, will be easier to flood and maintain.

Community members like Randi Kluesner are excited to see it in use. The shelter has donated skates of all sizes for those who don’t have their own, she noted.

There are still some finishing touches to add to the playground area. Once the grass begins growing, two park benches that match those located downtown will be placed between the equipment and basketball court. The benches were donated by the Harry and Marlene Abel family.

“The idea is to have a green space here with some benches and maybe some sun shades,” Basemann said.

In her remarks before the ribbon was cut on the playground, mayor Hemmer said she was filled with pride to see the community come together to make projects like this possible.

“A playground is so much more than swings and slides. It’s a place where children earn confidence, families spend time together and neighbors build lasting connections,” she stated. “Projects like this wouldn’t be possible without the help from everyone involved. To the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation and our local Action Club, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude. With your generous support and commitment, you helped turn this vision into a reality. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and your commitment to improving the lives of families who call this city home.”

Hemmer also thanked city staff Basemann, deputy clerk Terri Wood, public works director Jason Sullivan and public works employee Jason “Skee” Doeseckle, as well as the volunteers who contributed their time and energy to planning and erecting the equipment.

“Every contribution, big or small, helped bring us to this moment,” Hemmer said. “It is an investment not only in today, but in generations to come.”