Milford's Central Park Project Named Finalist for Prestigious MML Award

Milford's Central Park has been honored as a finalist for the esteemed Michigan Municipal League (MML) Community Excellence Award, highlighting the village's commitment to enhancing public spaces and fostering community engagement.

Each year, the MML celebrates innovative placemaking projects that significantly impact Michigan communities. Milford's ambitious $3.9 million renovation of Central Park has garnered statewide attention for its thoughtful design and community-focused amenities.

The transformation includes a picturesque riverfront boardwalk along the Huron River, featuring a cantilevered viewing platform that offers stunning water vistas. Residents and visitors can enjoy all-ages swings, deck chairs, and a continuous ADA-compliant pathway encircling the park, ensuring accessibility for everyone.

A standout addition is the year-round community pavilion, inspired by Milford's historic Art Deco Ford Powerhouse station. This modern structure, designed by Dave Peterhans Designs, serves as a vibrant gathering space, complete with Adirondack chairs and a large fireplace, fostering a sense of community and warmth.

For winter enthusiasts, the park now boasts a seasonal ice-skating rink illuminated by romantic overhead string lights, an idea proposed by the Public Works team. This feature has quickly become a favorite spot, drawing people of all ages to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

To enhance the park's natural beauty and address environmental concerns, the project elevated the park's grade to improve drainage and revitalized the grounds with traditional gardens, riparian plantings, and the addition of 150 signature trees. The redesigned driveways and parking areas prioritize pedestrian safety and open space, seamlessly connecting the Downtown and Southside districts.

Milford's Downtown Development Authority Executive Director, Ann Barnette, expressed pride in the project's success, stating, "We want it to be kind of a shining gem of downtown, and now it's going to be what it always should have been. Kind of the glue that holds both sides of downtown together."

The MML Community Excellence Award winner will be announced at the upcoming MML Conference in Grand Rapids, scheduled for September 17–19. Milford's Central Park project stands alongside other notable finalists, including initiatives from Hart, Negaunee, and Roscommon.

As Milford awaits the final decision, the community continues to enjoy the revitalized Central Park, a testament to the village's dedication to creating inclusive and engaging public spaces that celebrate its natural beauty and foster economic vitality.