Parks & Recreation Five Year Recreation Plan ... - City of Marquette

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update 2011
City of Marquette
Supplementing the City‘s two public marinas is the privately-owned and operated Lower Harbor
Association. In the past, over forty recreational boats have been berthed in a season through
the Association‘s facilities. The Marquette Fish Producers Association operates a dock in the
lower harbor that berths more than twenty recreational water craft.
Cultural, Natural and Historic Resources
This section describes Marquette‘s cultural, natural and historic resources which so profoundly
influence the quality of our lives. Because of the abundance and extensive variety of resources
available to the community, a broad overview is provided here. Another source of information is
the Marquette County Special and Unique Environments Inventory (MCSUEI) which is
maintained by the County Resource Management/Development Department. It was created
through the efforts of, and via a cooperative agreement between, the County and DNR.
Although some of the resource information may be dated, the inventory is interesting and
informative. The MSCUEI identifies and locates manmade features and natural resources
including recreational site and facilities, cultural, historic and archaeological sites and natural
features such as endangered species, geology, rivers, etc.
Cultural Resources
Kaufman Auditorium
The historic Kaufman Auditorium, built in 1928, seats approximately 830 people. The facility is
maintained by the Marquette Area Public School District and is housed in the Graveraet Middle
School building. Community and NMU groups utilize Kaufman extensively, with a majority of
performances being geared toward the general public.
Forest Roberts Theater
Forest Roberts Theater, located on the campus of Northern Michigan University, is an excellent
facility. The 535 seat theater was recently improved with new drapes, repainting, and the reupholstery
of all seats. University related events dominate the schedule with community groups
competing for the few remaining free days. While performances are largely NMU related, most
are open to the public.
Other Performing Arts Areas/Planned Facilities
There are several other locations in Marquette that have been used for performing arts events in
the past but which are designed for activities completely different and thus are severely limited
in their effectiveness. Among the areas used in the past have been St. Peter‘s Cathedral,
Masonic Temple, Fraziers Lake Superior Boathouse (home of Lake Superior Theatre, Inc.), the
Marquette High School auditorium, three lecture rooms in Jamrich Hall and the Great Lakes
Rooms at Northern Michigan University. NMU‘s Superior Dome, and C.B. Hedgcock Fieldhouse
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