The Collegian

Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Cody Ewers

The City of Hillsdale dedicated a $50,000 pavilion to late Hillsdale resident and chairman of the Mrs. Stock's Park Committee Mary Ann MacRitchie on Oct. 5. Workers constructed the pavilion last summer.

Before more than 100 people, Mayor Michael Sessions presented MacRitchie's husband with a city resolution acknowledging his wife's dedication to the project.

"[Stock's Park] is a great asset to our community," Sessions said.

The park currently hosts many community events, including an annual summer concert series featuring local talent and sponsored by Hillsdale businesses.

It also provides ideal grounds for weddings, birthday parties and picnics, Sessions said.

The pavilion project began late last fall as part of a continued effort to preserve the park's Victorian nature, said Ed Swanson, a committee member.

"The expensive structure is reinforced with steel and concrete and built to last a long time," Swanson said. "It's a very handsome-appearing facility."

MacRitchie's remaining committee moves to finish an irrigation project that will enable planting on park premises.

"Hopefully, when we get the system going we can further beautify the place and get things planted," Swanson said.

The committee is also considering constructing a decorative fence lining the Bacon Street facade, and erecting a footbridge and brick path through the park.

A large portion of the park surrounding the St. Joe River rests on a Federal Flood Plain and requires special permits to attempt construction on such the site.

Swanson said his committee is working with Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality to acquire the required permission for a footbridge that would connect the parking lot more efficiently to the rest of the park.

Assistant City Manager Linda Brown said she doesn't see a problem obtaining necessary documents for the footbridge if the committee decides to approve the project.

"We had to get a permit to build the existing bridge to the island," Brown said, "so I don't see that as a big trouble."

Although the city owns and maintains the park, private funds pay for developments.

The Mrs. Stock's Park Committee hopes to expand the current condition of the area to better serve the purposes of the community while following the parameters of Mrs. Stock's original design and intent, Swanson said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools