Sault Ste. Marie approves 10-year lease with Saint Mary's Parish to preserve neighborhood park

The Sault Ste. Marie City Commission voted June 1 to approve a land lease with Holy Name of Mary Parish (Saint Mary’s Parish) that will secure continued public use of a neighborhood park adjacent to Saint Mary’s School.

Acting City Manager Robin Troyer told the commission the agreement assigns routine maintenance responsibilities to the city during the summer park schedule and leaves nonroutine upkeep to the parish. The draft includes an early-termination clause requiring six months’ written notice and an automatic one-year renewal after the initial term. Troyer said the city recommended a five-year administrative term while the parish and the Parks and Recreation Board recommended a 10-year term.

Father Brad Shokwist, speaking as pastor-designate and the school’s representative, told the commission the partnership between Saint Mary’s School and the city “goes back nearly 60 years” and voiced his preference for a 10-year term to provide neighborhood stability. “A 10-year term provides stability for our neighborhood and kind of is a good sign, I think, of the city's ongoing investment in maintaining green space,” he said.

Commissioner Hubusta moved to approve a 10-year lease and authorize the acting city manager to execute the agreement; the motion received support and carried. Commissioner Bauer recused himself from the discussion and abstained, saying, “Due to the fact that my wife is an employee of the diocese, I must refrain from all discussion and abstain from voting on this matter.” The mayor called for the vote and the commission approved the lease with one abstention.

The agreement specifies no rent; in lieu of rent the city will provide routine maintenance and one trash receptacle during the summer park schedule, while Saint Mary’s Parish will be responsible for emptying trash and performing any maintenance not listed as routine. Troyer noted the Parks and Rec Board and parish legal teams negotiated church-state neutrality language that attorneys cleared and that the Diocese of Marquette approved proceeding.

The commission’s action preserves public access to the park and formalizes an Adopt-a-Park volunteer arrangement that parish representatives and volunteers pledged to support for a minimum of five years. The commission did not adopt additional funding changes for the lease during the meeting.

Next steps: the acting city manager was authorized to execute the lease, which will take effect under the agreed terms and include the six-month early-termination provision.