Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette Hancock Public Works has begun constructing the dock on the waterfront at Porvoo Park. Porvoo Park has underwent changes in the past couple of months, and the City of Hancock Recreation Commission discussed the possibility of including a splash pad to the park.

HANCOCK — The City of Hancock Recreation Commission met Tuesday evening to further discuss potential changes to Porvoo Park, to hear updates from Hancok City Manager Mary Babcock and to fund future projects.

The discussion of Porvoo Park was extensive, with the commission discussing what can be done with the additional space the park received. The first public comment portion of the meeting saw two speakers addressing the same topic.

Hancock City Council Member Whitney Warslter and Jonathon Nagel of the Hancock Downtown Development Authority explained what they’d like to see in the park. Warslter suggested inserting a splash pad and Nagel voiced concerns regarding the public space and access to the waterfront. Nagel also felt a splash pad was a way the space can be utilized.

While the commission is interested in the inclusion of a splash pad, the details of how the water system will be utilized in the pad still need to be discussed because if the water is pumped from the canal, it must be tested daily. However if the water were to come from the city water system it would be costly.

The infrastructure beneath the park and Navy Street is also a concern, and Babcock believes the project might need to be discussed next year. “So this is a great plan. We just have to kind of hold off on too much more for Porvoo Park until that (infrastructure) is fixed and that comes out of the sewer department,” Babcock said.

While further inclusions to Porvoo Park may be held off for a while, Babcock reported the dock has begun to be installed at the park. In other news, Babcock said the city campground has been full so far this summer. She also gave a report on the flooding in June. She said there were washouts on M-203 by the beach and campground, but little damage within the city.

The commission approved funding up to $30,000 to upgrade the ballfield dugouts at Hancock Driving Park. The project is expected to be on the simpler side since there is no electrical nor plumbing involved in the upgrades. The dugouts will be worked on in the fall.

The Maasto Hiihto trailhead also received an approval for a connection to the city’s campground trail. The connection will cost $15,375. The commission also approved a grant of $14,000 towards the Hancock Trails Club for a new UTV.