A bright green ribbon fell to the ground in two pieces, symbolizing one thing: the official opening of Bridgman’s Toth Street Park. With members of the community on hand, what was once a space in need of a facelift is now an inclusive space for families to enjoy. And with summer approaching, the timing could not be more perfect. 

The April 26 event marked a time for celebration for residents in Bridgman, Mich. The completion of the project could not be done without support from the community and surrounding organizations, which included a $75,000 grant from the AEP Foundation announced back in January 2023.

“We look forward to experiencing the vitality this space adds to the community as well as its impact on the families who use it frequently,” said Mona Livingston, I&M External Affairs manager. “Seeing this space come to life further supports the efforts of I&M and the AEP Foundation in the communities so many of us live, work and play.”

The park features an expansive green space, basketball courts, dog park, walking track and now, a new playground. Driving the initial concept for the projects was a group of local parents who frequented the space with their children. The group’s vision was brought to life with updated playground equipment, accessibility for families of all abilities and a designated place for parents to watch their children play nearby.

Read more about the work our team is doing, and how we are powering the next community initiative by visiting the community section on our website.