The city of Marquette is looking at many upcoming projects to improve the well-being and lifestyles of its citizens, with several of them focusing on recreation.

People in Marquette love their bicycles, so we’re glad to see the Marquette City Commission at its April 26 meeting approved a permit for the Noquemanon Trails Network Council to build a non-motorized bicycle playground at Tourist Park.

The planned location for the “906 Bicycle Playground” is a wooded area near the former ball field area adjacent to the Tourist Park access road.

The playground would involve a looped trail with skill development features and obstacles for relatively inexperienced mountain bikers to get necessary skills before taking to the trails.

Another attractive feature is that the playground would consist of material that blends with the site’s natural setting.

NTN is partnering with the 906 Adventure Team, which has used Tourist Park for its activities, for project funding and design.

We are sure these two bicycle-related organizations will combine forces to create a fun amenity to Tourist Park. And if nothing else, even non-cyclists might enjoy watching people develop their skills.

Another project isn’t really related to bicycles, unless, of course, you ride your bike to get there.

Earlier this year, the city furthered another cool project: Kids Cove 2, which would replace the currently popular — but outdated — Kids Cove playground at Ellwood A. Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

The city submitted the grant application for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant in March 2020 and was notified in December that its application was approved for $300,000.

The grant requires a match of $300,000, and the Marquette Playgrounds for All Committee has committed to raising the funds. The $600,000 budget will include design and construction services, city documents state.

At the April 12 Marquette City Commission meeting, the commission unanimously approved a professional services contract with Sanders & Czapski Associates of Marquette, with the city paying up to $77,000 to the landscape and architecture firm to oversee the design and construction of the playground.

Getting outside and having fun is a big part of living in Marquette, and we’re glad to see the city and local organizations are stepping up to making new projects — as well as bettering current ones — a reality.