The city of South Haven is celebrating the completion of their downtown Wintertime Gathering Place project at Dyckman Park. The first fire in the Four Seasons fireplace was lit Monday evening and with a couple minor adjustments, the project will be ready for full-time service. Griffin Graham, assistant city manager for South Haven, said the fireplace and seating area is a link to other community gathering spots.
“We’re just really excited to have another amazing amenity in our community that can be used all year round, something that really connects the Dyckman Park area the farmer’s market in the summer, the ice skating rink in the winter to the rest of our beautiful downtown.”
Graham said the focus on making sure South Haven’s common areas are connected was reinforced by public habits changing since the pandemic.
“We saw a lot during the COVID 19 pandemic, the importance of outdoor recreation and outdoor gathering places, the city of South Haven. For many, many years has been investing in parks and trails. And this is just another one of those features that we have.”
The group SHOUT for South Haven initiated the project, donated $25,000, and conducted community fundraisers. The final cost of the project was $115,000 and Graham notes all of that was raised in private donations plus the help of an MEDC grant. Graham says a formal dedication ceremony is expected in early 2024.
