Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for "Majestic Riverview Park" in Cheboygan
$10,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative
LANSING, Mich. – A new pocket park in Downtown Cheboygan will transform an underutilized space into a vibrant riverfront reflection and cultural space. This effort will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the City of Cheboygan announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $10,000 by September 15th, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/majestic.
“This pocket park in Cheboygan will create a space for gathering, celebration, and recognition of the history of the city and its people,” said MEDC Regional Prosperity Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
The Majestic Riverview Park project is a volunteer-led effort in partnership with the City of Cheboygan to revitalize an underutilized space and turn it into a universally accessible pocket park. The land was donated to the City of Cheboygan by a family that had a prominent role in Cheboygan's history. In honor of them, the park will be named Majestic Riverview Park. Through past funding efforts, an existing mural, painted by a member of the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, will be enhanced by four interpretive signs. These signs will highlight Indigenous culture, the Majestic family history, the Patterson Pavilion, and the Fish of Cheboygan along with a donor appreciation sign.
For those who visit the park, this will be a place to relax and enjoy the river view while learning about Cheboygan's history and the area. The existing mural, combined with planned interpretive signs, park name sign, and new landscaping will be a point of pride for the community. This small space will create a unique and welcoming entrance to the City of Cheboygan and its downtown district.
“The City of Cheboygan is excited about the transformation of this vacant lot into a welcoming entrance to our beautiful downtown,” Cheboygan’s City Manager Daniel Sabolsky said of the project.
“The Public Spaces Community Places grant will provide the needed funding to turn an underutilized piece of property into a restful pocket park of which the community can be proud,” said Connie Rieger, Majestic River Park Development Volunteer. “Majestic Riverview Park will not only enhance the entrance to Cheboygan’s downtown, but it will also create a welcoming site for river activity viewing.”
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“Creating beautiful, accessible third spaces, especially ones that revitalize previously underused lots within a municipality, is crucial as we look ahead to Michigan’s future,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “This pocket park will be a lovely addition to Cheboygan, benefiting residents and visitors who take advantage of it. This is what placemaking is all about.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of July 1, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $14.3 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 414 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $16.3 million raised from 75,885 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds.
About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.