Airport Recreation Park celebrates grand opening

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - Ironwood Township will celebrate the grand opening of the Airport Recreation Park on Tuesday.

The event runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the pavilion at the park.

According to treasurer Jyl Olson-DeRosso, the park is "a decade in the making."

Over the last 10 years, the township has acquired surrounding property, built soccer fields and more recently added a pavilion, walking track and playground equipment.

The playground equipment was installed this summer, and was the final piece to the park.

The goal for the playground equipment was to have it be "innovative," and different from other parks in the area, Olson-DeRosso said.

"We are just thrilled at how it has turned out," she said. "We have had people using the pavilion for parties, and found it to be excellent, and we've had positive comments on the walking track and playground."

During Tuesday's event, there will be cake, cookies and coffee, as well as hotdogs and soda for sale by the Ironwood Township Fire Department. A farmers market will also be set up, and State. Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, is set to make an appearance.

Olson-DeRosso said she hopes people will visit the park to see the work that has been done.

"I think they will be pleasantly surprised by what they see," she said. "I believe that people who don't have kids in soccer don't even realize it is there. It's a great place for kids, with bathrooms and a water fountain, and parents can use the walking track. And, it's a safe location, not too close to the road.

"I think this is going to be a great place for kids to enjoy for generations to come."

For more information, call the Ironwood Township offices at 906-932-5800.