ROSE CITY — Folks around Rose City are being asked to lend a hand — and a few ideas — to help shape the future of a favorite local hangout, Metcalf Park. With the old Sanback Dam set to come down in 2026, conservation group Huron Pines wants to hear from residents about what they’d like to see in the park once the creek runs free again.
The community is invited to an open house on Dec. 2 from 3-6 p.m. at the Faull Inn, 206 North Williams Street. Everyone’s welcome to stop by, grab a slice of pizza, meet the project team, and share ideas. The gathering will be held in the back section of the Faull Inn — it’s semi-enclosed and partially heated, so folks are encouraged to dress for chilly weather.
Huron Pines is leading the effort to remove the Sanback Dam and restore Beechwood Creek, which winds right through the city-owned park. Planning kicked off back in 2023 after the state raised concerns about the dam’s condition and safety. The removal and restoration project is expected to cost about $4 million, funded through a mix of federal, state, local, and nonprofit grants.
Once the dam is gone, the creek will return to its natural flow, setting the stage for a fresh start for Metcalf Park. Now, project leaders want to know what kind of place locals would like it to become — maybe a bridge over the creek, new trails, better fishing access, native wildflowers, or interpretive signs telling the story of the park.
“Huron Pines has removed nine dams from Northern Michigan streams and restored another 150 road/stream crossings, but this project is unique in that it’s right at the center of a community park,” said Josh Leisen, Senior Project Manager for Huron Pines. “Removing the dam will greatly benefit stream habitat and public safety, and this project has added opportunities for the community to shape the future for their park.”
The Sanback Dam once powered a sawmill and gristmill but has sat unused for decades. These days it’s more of a hazard than a help — blocking fish movement and affecting the health of Beechwood and Houghton creeks, both important parts of the Rifle River Watershed. Over the years, Huron Pines has already invested more than $1 million in local conservation projects, including stormwater management and invasive species removal at Metcalf Park.
Project partners include Huron Pines, the City of Rose City, GEI Consultants, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network, and the Mershon-Neumann Heritage Chapter of Trout Unlimited, along with the neighboring landowner.
If you need special accommodations, contact Amanda Vanaman, Community Project Manager, at (989) 448-2293 ext. 30 or [email protected].
For general questions, reach out to Josh Leisen at (989) 448-2293 ext. 16 or [email protected].
