From Dredge to Destination: Reimagining Mill Pond Park Project Earns APWA Project of the Year Award

FARWELL— The Village of Farwell was recognized with a 2026 Public Works Project of the Year Award  on May 21^st, at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Awards Banquet. The project, From Dredge to Destination: Reimagining Mill Pond Park, was presented in the Quality of Life category, $1 Million to $5 Million division, honoring outstanding public works projects that promote collaboration and excellence.

The project began as a straightforward infrastructure upgrade to dredge Mill Pond and remove accumulated sediment. However, because the original project was completed under budget, the Village decided to use the leftover funds to create a welcoming public park with scenic walking trails, a locally sourced kayak launch, a community-friendly fishing pier, and a universally accessible connection to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail.

“This project took several years to come to fruition,” said Tracey Jackson, President of the Village of Farwell. “I was born and raised in Farwell, so being part of a project that brings new life to a space once enjoyed by so many in our community has been incredibly meaningful. Then, to receive an award for everyone’s hard work is amazing.”

Fleis & VandenBrink (F&V) was hired to provide design and construction engineering services to transform Mill Pond into a lively, accessible recreation space.

Improvements to the park include:

• One large pavilion and two smaller pavilions
• An ADA-accessible restroom, fishing pier, kayak launch, and pathway loop connecting the north and south sections of the park
• Wetland preservation with dedicated paths that reduce the overall impact
• Sustainable stormwater management via bioswales and native plantings
• Limited hard surfaces to promote stormwater infiltration and reduce erosion/sedimentation
• Paved north and south parking lots with ADA spaces
• Safety lighting throughout the park, with all lights facing downward, which helps with the dark sky movement – great for stargazing! The lights also dim to 30% after a specific period of inactivity.
• Site amenities such as bike loops, a bike repair station, and seating

“It is a pleasure to work with clients who are committed to making public spaces better for their residents and visitors,” said Brian Rowley, PE, F&V’s Project Manager. “The Village of Farwell has a strong sense of 'community,' and we are truly honored to be part of it! It is really cool to witness the project come to life with so much activity on a property that was underutilized and inaccessible for so long.”   

From the beginning, sustainability guided every decision of the park’s transformation. The project team prioritized environmentally responsible features that would reduce long-term maintenance, conserve resources, and minimize the Village’s overall environmental footprint. These include picnic tables made from recycled plastic, LED lighting with dimming and occupancy sensors to help conserve energy when not in use, and timber pavilions constructed from locally-sourced wood. 

The park transformation was made possible through strong collaboration and open communication among the Village, Isabella Corporation, the primary contractor, and F&V.

“Mill Pond Park is a symbol of what we can accomplish when we work together, as a council,” Jackson continued. “The Village can’t thank F&V, Isabella Corporation, and everyone involved with the project enough for their help bringing it all together.”

To the community of Farwell, the park serves as a lasting space for joy, connection, and community pride, where generations can gather for many years to come.