30 years ago

MARQUETTE – Marquette will get a “dream” playground this spring when some 600 volunteers embark on a four-day construction festival. The Build-A-Dream play structure, pegged for Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park, has been described as the “crown jewel of playgrounds,” by designers Robert Leathers & Associates. Come June 13, the official kick-off day of what organizer Judy Vonck calls a “four-day festival,” volunteers will erect the 10,000-square-foot, barrier free playground. “It’s going to be just like a barn raising,” Vonck said. “You don’t need to be a carpenter, we just need people who can whack a nail or sand a board.” Vonck said workers will receive sustenance while toiling on the project thanks to local food donations. There will be a day-care area set up by the U.P. Children’s Museum. “We’ll keep everybody busy and everybody’s stomach full,” Vonck said. The Build-A-Dream organization is still looking for volunteers, however, particularly those who are willing to make a four-day commitment as construction captains. The structure has been designed with Marquette’s history in mind and features a replica of a sunken ore boat. A ramp providing access to the boat will simulate an ore dock. Other features include a non-electrical intercom system made of buried PVC tubing, traditional playground equipment like swings and slides, and an obstacle course. “A lot of the design ideas came from requests by the children” during a visit to the area by a Leathers designer last May, said architect Dave Iannello. There will be access to the playground from the bike path, which runs through the park and the Lower Harbor parking lot. Wood pilings and treated lumber will support most of the equipment and structure. The decking will be constructed of a composite material made of wood and recycled plastic. Iannello said the polymer composite is more durable than lumber and safer because it doesn’t splinter. Project Build-A-Dream originated two years ago when Marquette’s Rotary Club set aside money from its annual Seafood Fest for a large community play structure. Planning progressed after the city commission approved the park location. Organizers have raised nearly half of the project’s estimated $90,000 cost. The tot area of the playground will be separated by a small picket fence. Organizers are searching for people or businesses that are willing to sponsor a picket for $25 to help raise money for the project. They also hope to have larger organizations sponsor pieces of playground equipment. The existing playground equipment will be relocated to another city park.

60 years ago

NEGAUNEE – The McLouth Steel Corp., Detroit, has announced the appointment of W. John Roberts. Assistant secretary and assistant controller. Roberts, 34, a former Negaunee resident has been employed by McLouth for 10 years, most recently as internal auditor. He is past president of the Detroit chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors. A graduate of Negaunee High School and Northern Michigan University, Roberts served two years in the U.S. Army, he was awarded a master’s degree in business administration by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is the son of Roy Roberts, Negaunee, and the late Jennie M. Roberts. He is married to the former Beverly Mager of this city. They have a 12-year-old son and reside in Trenton.