Once site to a historic pavilion, empty lot to be activated as pocket park in downtown Cheboygan

What’s happening: A patch of grass nestled humbly atop the banks of the Cheboygan River will soon be transformed into a destination unto itself, this thanks to the generosity of a family with deep ties to the area and a placemaking campaign launched by the City of Cheboygan. The underutilized space will soon be activated as a pocket park that incorporates local history with views of a river that has drawn generations to the region.

What’s planned: The City of Cheboygan plans to activate a grass lot located on the east side of Main Street between Court and Nelson streets. The result will be Majestic Riverview Park, a pocket park complete with new landscaping, seating, lighting, universally accessible walkway, and views of the Cheboygan River. The park is considered a gateway to downtown Cheboygan and will shine a light on the community’s history, including interpretive signs that help tell the stories of the area’s Indigenous culture, the Majestic family, the Patterson Pavilion, and the Fish of Cheboygan.

Backstory: The land was donated to the City of Cheboygan by the Majestic family in 2021, earning that locally prominent family a new park with their name on it; the site once hosted the Patterson Pavilion, first built in 1897, but only a patch of grass remains. More recently, Russ Lalone, a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, installed a mural at the site in 2023.

How they’re doing it: The Majestic Riverview 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 $10,000 crowdfunding campaign on the Michigan-based Patronicity platform. Should they successfully reach their goal by 10:15 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, the MEDC will contribute a $10,000 matching grant to the project.

Learn more about the Majestic Riverview Park project on Patronicity.

Why it’s important: “Creating beautiful, accessible third spaces, especially ones that revitalize previously underused lots within a municipality, is crucial as we look ahead to Michigan’s future,” says Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This pocket park will be a lovely addition to Cheboygan, benefiting residents and visitors who take advantage of it. This is what placemaking is all about.”