Some Chikaming Township businesses are preparing to hold giveback nights to help the township raise money for a new park in Sawyer.
Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte tells us they’re seeking to raise about $660,000 to develop the new Kohn Park at 5844 Sawyer Road, the former site of an old fire station that was torn down a few years ago. He says the community support has been strong.
“A majority of the community are all in support and supporting the project, both financially and just in conversation,” Bunte said. “It’s something that we’ve wanted in Sawyer and that the community’s wanted for a long, long time. It’s one of the only small little hamlet communities down here that doesn’t have any green space or park space.”
With that in mind, Local Pour in Sawyer will hold a giveback night on August 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. Everyone’s invited to try out some Michigan-made wine, beer, and spirits with a portion of the proceeds going to the park fundraiser.
“Our business community here in Sawyer has been extremely supportive of all the improvements and the proposed changes, plus this park endeavor. And Local Pour, one of our two great establishments in Sawyer, is offering a portion of their proceeds back to donate to the Cone Park fundraising effort.”
The next giveback night will be at The Historian in Sawyer on August 22 from 5 to 10 p.m. Again, a portion of the proceeds will go to the park project.
Bunte says the township is about 10% of the way to its goal right now, but it has applied for four grants that, if approved, would give the effort a big bump. The plan is for Kohn Park to provide the Sawyer community with a gathering space that could host farmers markers, outdoor performances, and community celebrations.
