Kali Katerberg/Daily Mining Gazette Jace Padden, a young Ontonagon resident addresses the board in support of the tire park playground.

ONTONAGON – Parents and kids alike attended the Thursday Greenland Road School Commission meeting to support the tire park playground, a popular local gathering place.

The attendance came after the future of the park was discussed at last month’s meeting and rumors began spreading. The residents received clarification and were able to voice their support for the park.

For those that made public statements, the park provides a central and safe gathering place for local kids and teens.

It’s a place of good memories that residents would like to see sustained. For Jace Padden, the park is a place of imagination, where he spends time swinging as Tarzan or zip-lining along as Batman.

Some commenters suggested if the structures have to be removed, they should be replaced with something better.

“I would like to see the park restored and safe for the kids because we really need a place for them to come and hang out and it’s close and central for the downtown kids,” said Jennifer Padden.

John Cahill, who recently moved to the area with his family, suggested the community could pitch in to improve the structures, move it or replace it depending on what was needed.

“There are a lot of people that would be willing to help out,” he said.

The commission shared these sentiments, making it clear that no decisions had been made about the tire park and discussions were preliminary.

“Anything you have heard beyond that is simply not true,” said Commissioner Tony Smydra. “There has never been any discussion, especially by this commission of simply tearing down the park and doing nothing.”

There are some concerns with the structure including its deterioration and questions over Michigan Playground Act compliance.

With the structures being around 30 years old, a safety evaluation is needed said Village Manager Joe Erickson. Possible concerns include the pressure treated lumber which could contain arsenic.

“For the most part it’s probably in pretty good shape,” he said.

A few modifications may be necessary. Repairs, relocation and replacement were discussed as potential options depending on what the evaluations show.

“We as a commission have heard what you have to say tonight and more than that we appreciate you coming out and talking with us about it,” said Smydra.

The commission encouraged further participation, including from area kids on the topic. For those interested, the commission meets the first Thursday of every month at 5 p.m.