What’s happening: The City of Fennville and its Downtown Development Authority have announced plans to activate a vacant downtown lot and transform it into a community asset, complete with an amphitheater, splash pad, public greenspace, and more. The project, dubbed City Square Park, will create a new central gathering space in downtown Fennville built to accommodate concerts and other events.
What’s planned: An underutilized lot found at the intersection of Main and Maple streets in downtown Fennville is set to become City Square Park, which will become the site for public performances and events in the Allegan County community. An outdoor amphitheater will be built along with a seating area, outdoor gas fireplace, public greenspace, splash pad, and more. City Square Park will become host to events and programming like the Summer Concert Series, Fourth Fridays in Fennville, and Goose Festival activities.
Why it’s important: “This investment in Fennville’s downtown will create a lasting, positive impact that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations to come,” says Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “The City Square Park project is taking an unutilized space and transforming it into a hub for the Fennville community to come together. This is what placemaking is all about.”
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City Square Park rendering courtesy of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
How they’re doing it: The City Square Park project has been accepted into the state’s placemaking initiative Public Spaces Community Places, a joint effort from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity. As part of the initiative, organizers have launched a $50,000 crowdfunding campaign on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they successfully reach their goal by 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, the MEDC will contribute a $50,000 matching grant to the project.
Learn more about the City Square Park project
on Patronicity.
What they’re saying: "This project will be transformative for downtown Fennville, and we are excited to see it get underway,” says Kathryn Beemer, City Administrator for the City of Fennville. “The ability to receive matching funds from the MEDC for every dollar raised in the community, up to $50,000, is helping to make the fun aspects of the project, like a splashpad, financially possible."
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