With summer in full swing in the Region, the City of Portage was happy to unveil several new additions and renovations to Founders Square Park ahead of the first Market on the Square. The park was officially opened to the public following a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The renovations have been planned for some time but only recently came to fruition thanks to continued efforts from the City to raise funding.
“The park has constantly evolved since it was first installed,” Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development Sandy McDaniel said. “In 2022, we added the paths for the food truck plaza, and we’ve just kept adding on. We have big dreams for Founders Square Park, and we’re improving as we go.”
The park now sees plenty of new additions that make it more accessible, including more parking, a beer garden, furnishings, improved lighting, and a commemorative plaque dedicated to Hannah’s Hope. Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Cherry was excited to show the new amenities off to the Portage public.
“We want Portage to have a lot more for residents and visitors to do,” he said. “We’re developing and bringing in new businesses, so we want the people who are working and living here to have a place to go to do something fun. Mayor Austin Bonta’s goal is to keep the community here; you don’t have to go somewhere else to go to a park or festival.”
The park, alongside other public spaces like the Library Garden, give the people of Portage public spaces to enjoy events like concerts, holiday parties, or gatherings like the summer market, which kicked off immediately after the ribbon cutting.
On top of the park renovations, the Market on the Square is also seeing a revamp this year with the inclusion of live entertainment, foam cannon parties, and special events happening the last Friday of every month through August. A full list of Market on the Square events can be found on the City of Portage’s website.
The success of Founders Square Park wouldn’t have been possible without the dozens of people like McDaniel who help keep progress moving.
“This was a team effort,” Bonta said. “When I came into office in January, this project was in the works. I’m happy to have done my part to help it succeed. I love that we have people on our team that are humble because humility doesn’t mean timidity. Humility means that, if you know that a good job was done, you’re pleased with the fact that it was done correctly.”
Besides McDaniel, Bonta also thanked the Portage Redevelopment Commission, the Portage Chamber of Commerce, and City of Portage Chief of Staff Lee Ann Van Curen for helping make the ribbon cutting a success.
“I’m really excited to see the confidence people have in this city. The energy here today is strong, and it’s strong throughout all of Portage,” he said.
The City’s Market on the Square event is happening every Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. now through August. Come out to Founders Square Park to explore dozens of local vendors, enjoy live music, and make use of the brand new amenities at the park!
To keep an eye on further developments within the City of Portage, visit the City’s website.
