Ironwood Railroad Depot Park

The community of Ironwood, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was honored with the Michigan Municipal League’s 2013 Community Excellence Award on Sept. 20, 2013, at the League’s Annual Convention in Detroit.

The peer-nominated Community Excellence Award (CEA), affectionately called “The Race for the Cup,” was started by the League in 2007 to recognize innovative solutions taking place in Michigan’s cities, villages and urban townships. It’s the highest and most prestigious award bestowed by the statewide League.

IronwoodThe city of Ironwood’s placemaking effort is centered on the revitalization of a railroad depot into a park. The plan is to merge city blocks, add a pavilion, playground equipment, landscaping, volleyball courts, and other amenities in an effort to promote health, history, and recreation. The park will also serve as a trailhead for non-motorized and motorized trails crossing the region.

Ironwood Mayor Kim Corcoran accepted the award, which includes a large trophy and statewide recognition, on the city’s behalf. In the seven-year history of the CEA competition, Ironwood is the first recipient from the state’s Upper Peninsula, which encompasses the League’s Region 7. Ironwood is located on the Michigan-Wisconsin border in the western portion of the state’s U.P.

“I was very happily surprised for our community to win the Cup,” Corcoran said. “I was thinking we were a small community and I didn’t know if we stood a chance on getting this, but it’s a very big deal for us. This award helps put us on the map – from the PR we get from this and for our project. It shows what our community has to offer. We believe the positive recognition of receiving this award will increase awareness of the great things that Ironwood and the U.P. have to offer.”

Ironwood competed for the statewide title against finalists from the League’s six other regions: Region 1 Fenton, Holly, & Linden’s Shiawassee River Heritage Water Trail; Region 2 St. Joseph’s Silver Beach development; Region 3 Belding’s community garden; Region 4 DeWitt’s Community Showcase; Region 5 Imlay City’s SEED Economic Gardening program; and Region 6 Rogers City’s Placemaking: Dancin’ Downtown.