Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure at 906 Adventure Team, stands with 906 Adventure Team alum Sawyer Stelwagen at Friday’s fundraising event. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Peterson)

MARQUETTE — On Friday, the 906 Adventure Team hosted a successful fundraiser kickoff event for Gluski Park, a proposed park and trailhead located on the 2-acre green space behind its offices on Lakeshore Ave.

“I’d estimate that there were just over 200 people there, raising over $30,000,” said Elizabeth Peterson, champion for adventure at 906 Adventure Team. “The energy and excitement for Gluski Park could be felt throughout all those who attended. The park is being built for the community and it felt really special to have the community set the tone for what this space will become in such a powerful and magnetic way!”

When completed, Gluski Park will feature gathering spaces, a perimeter walking path, a pump track and several different trail features. The name, Gluski Park, is in honor of Tara Gluski, a member of 906 Adventure Team who died in an auto accident in 2024.

“Speakers included Todd Poquette, 906AT director of adventure, Todd LaFave from the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation (the foundation recently awarded 906AT an $800,000 gift to the park, which includes a $155,000 matching grant), Sandy Gluski, Tara Gluski’s mother, Susie Fox from the Great Lakes Sports Commission (the commission awarded 906AT a $150,000 grant for the park in 2023), Rep. Karl Bohnak and Sawyer Stelwagen, who spoke about the impact of participating in Adventure Team on his growth and development,” said Peterson.

“After the speeches, guests took a self-guided tour of the park, learning about the features including the ADA walking path, pavilion, pump track, bike hub, technical and flow trails, and the native flowers and grasses that will be planted. We also had a strong representation of Adventure Team kids, parents and coaches at the event, riding an obstacle course and sharing their passion for the organization. Mama Russo’s also generously donated dinner for the event.”

After Friday’s fundraising event, 906 Adventure Team has raised over $1.2 million of their $2.1 million goal for the project. Thanks to the matching grant from the Great Lakes Sports Commission, all donations are currently being doubled. Donations can be made at 906adventureteam.com/gluski-park/.

“906AT would like to thank the community, our partners and advocates,” said Peterson. “This project wouldn’t happen without the support and generosity of the Upper Peninsula community and our 906AT family – which spreads across the country. Each and every gift is changing lives — supporting today’s youth, focusing on character development through adventure in the outdoors. It’s amazing what we’ve accomplished together. We’ve come a long way, but we need help getting to our $2.1 million goal.”

906 Adventure Team will break ground on the park this year, and anticipate that the trail infrastructure will be completed by the end of October.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.