Commissioners Hear About Plans For Park Improvements

bhcityhall-58
bhcityhall-58

A group of Whirlpool employees is proposing some improvements for Union Park in Benton Harbor. The Benton Harbor City Commission held a special meeting this week to hear a Days of Impact report from the team. Whirlpool Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility Rosa Skinner said as the company seeks to help improve the community, it spoke with residents and leaders about where it could have the biggest impact.

“We really heard that there was an opportunity for us to come in areas to support the parks. So that’s where we started, that’s how we landed, and that’s the direction we started to head in.”

Design Manager Michael Kahwaji said the team’s plans for Union Park include repaving the basketball courts, pavilion repairs, expanded baseball fields, and new dugouts.

“We’re really excited about the dugouts. It’s a big win for everyone.”

The Whirlpool team said volunteer days at Union Park had been planned, but COVID put the brakes on that. They’re thinking maybe volunteer work could start next spring. In the meantime, contractors hired by Whirlpool are working on the improvements. City commissioners praised the work with Mayor Marcus Muhammad saying the city’s partnership with Whirlpool will be a benefit to residents.