ANN HRUSKA, ABOVE right, a Lake Antoine Park Partners charter board member, was the guest speaker at the April 8 luncheon meeting of the Rotary Club of Iron Mountain-Kingsford. Her powerpoint presentation showed plans for the 501(c)(3) charity to develop Dickinson County’s beachside playground as all-inclusive for ages and mobility levels. She also touched on other projects at the park that benefit visitors. Helping with the presentation was Allison Lucifer of LAPP.

IRON MOUNTAIN –Promoting and improving the assets of Dickinson County and the surrounding communities is a common goal of civic organizations making their plans for the 2025 calendar.

Ann Hruska, board member of Lake Antoine Park Partners, was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Iron Mountain-Kingsford’s luncheon meeting April 8.

She used a PowerPoint presentation to demonstrate “Everyone Plays!,” an all-inclusive playground that LAPP has spent hundreds of volunteer hours on developing with input from families dealing with mobility issues for their relatives.

LAPP was chartered in 2017 with a goal to preserve, improve, promote and protect Lake Antoine Park for the use and benefit of the public. The reconstructed beach wall, new picnic areas for those needing ADA tables and benches, a kayak launch, the History Wall on the former concession stand with artwork done by local artisans were developed by the group using foundation grant funding, business contributions and private donations.

“But our work is not done,” Hruska explained in her presentation. “As it stands, the (current) playground is largely inaccessible for those with limited mobility and/or sensory needs. For three years, LAPP has discussed a plan for an accessible playground addition. After countless hours of research and planning, we are proud to introduce our biggest project to date.”

Hruska answered Rotary member questions about the project timeline, its funding, and the need for assistance in completing the project.

“We will be working with LSI in mid-summer to determine what parts of the project would benefit from volunteer assistance,” Hruska said.

The mission of Lake Antoine Park Partners matches a core value of the Rotary Club.

The Iron Mountain Rotary Club was chartered in 1921, becoming club No. 2646; the Kingsford Rotary Club merged with them in 1975. Rotary uses “The Four-Way Test” of the things we think, say or do. One of those points is asking its membership if any planned project would be beneficial to all concerned? Their projects have included Fumee Creek Bridge, Triangle Park and East Side Park playgrounds plus Pine Mountain 500.

“Both of our groups clearly are making plans to provide more for the community,” Hruska noted after the meeting.

LAPP information is available at Lake Antoine Park Partners; Rotary projects and membership can be found at Iron Mountain-Kingsford.

“To have an area’s service organizations invite me to speak about our ‘Everyone Plays!’ project was wonderful for me to do,” Hruska said. “We’re grateful for the chance to speak with local organizations to explain our plans.”

LAPP speakers on the “Everyone Plays” playground can be arranged by contacting Hruska at lakeantoineparkpartners@gmail.com.