HANCOCK – For Dennis Hagenbuch, it’s important people get involved with the communities where they live. His involvement amounts to two decades as a member of the Hancock Recreation Commission.

Hagenbuch retired this year after serving 18 of those 20 years as chairman of the recreation commission. He actually stayed on a little longer than he intended.

“I was thinking about resigning last year,” he said.

However, Hagenbuch said Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson urged him to stay on for one more year, which he agreed to do.

“It’s time for new leadership,” he said.

The new chairman of the recreation commission is former City Councilman John Haeussler. Hagenbuch has confidence in the Haeussler’s leadership when he will preside over the commission’s next meeting in March.

“He’ll do an excellent job,” he said of Haeussler.

There are seven members on the recreation commission, and the city manager usually attends the meetings. It meets four times per year.

Hagenbuch said the recreation commission discusses ideas for possible projects then recommends them to the city council, which must approve them before they can be put into effect.

The commission’s meetings are open to the public, and Hagenbuch said he appreciates when people come and share ideas. He recalled an instance when a resident came to a meeting and suggested a bocce ball court be built somewhere in the city – now that idea is expected to be discussed at the March meeting. Someone else suggested a skating park separate from Laurn Grove, which is used predominantly for hockey.

“Those are two ideas from the community,” he said.

During his time on the commission, Hagenbuch said it has overseen the development of the various city parks.

He’s especially pleased with Laurn Grove Park. Work done there includes a new concrete slab, basketball standards and baskets, improvements to the warming building, installing playground equipment at the east end of the park, and resurfacing and installation of a new net at the tennis court.

Improvements at the city’s three ball fields near the Houghton County Memorial Stadium were done during his time on the commission.

Some of the recreation projects completed in the city were done by volunteers, which Hagenbuch said he appreciates.

“I think the volunteerism in Hancock is amazing,” he said.

Anderson said Hagenbuch’s efforts on the commission have been important for the city of Hancock.

“He’s been a strong advocate to invest in our facilities,” he said.

What Hagenbuch and the commission have done over the years has increased participation in youth activities, such as baseball, hockey and soccer, Anderson said.

The improvements at the city’s six parks and the city beach have been appreciated by city residents, Anderson said.

“All park uses are up,” he said.

Hagenbuch said membership on the commission during his tenure has been excellent, Hagenbuch said.

“We’ve never had a meeting cancelled,” he said.

Although he’s no longer on the commission, Hagenbuch said he still lives in Hancock, and he’ll stay involved.

“I will be willing to help out,” he said.