DDA placemaking committee proposes removing landscaping rocks from pocket park to reduce damage

The Lapeer Downtown Development Authority’s placemaking committee flagged recurring damage at a downtown pocket park and recommended replacing landscaping rocks with natural mulch to reduce vandalism and maintenance problems.

Committee members reported that the small landscaping rocks have been kicked and thrown, causing broken windows at adjacent Cranberry Court, dents in public murals and damaged string lights on the PICS Theater roof. The committee suggested organizing a volunteer cleanup day to replace rock with mulch and reduce future damage.

Tom LaMagna, a volunteer noted by the committee, offered to assist with rock removal. Committee members said they would first consult the city parks department because the site is a city park although the DDA led the project. They asked whether the city has a planned reuse for the rocks or if the DDA should find another disposal option.

The committee also raised the possibility of coordinating a community cleanup event with local partners and businesses, and contacting Choice 1 Bank, which has discussed volunteer support to maintain the pocket park on an ongoing basis. The board did not vote on a capital expenditure at the meeting; members asked staff to confer with city parks staff and return with a more detailed plan.