• Monday-What'sUP January 24 - 08:31 am

Steve Brimm recently set out on a walk around Copper Harbor, snapping pictures as he went. The first two are here to share the beauty of his walk-about. When fresh snow covers the trees and ground, there's just something magical about the transformation, making everything fresh and fluffy looking. It's one of the perks of winter here in the Keweenaw.

Steve also stopped by the Copper Harbor School, Michigan's only operating one room school. Check out the playground equipment in the photos... a swing-set and a merry-go-round. There are a few other things to play on there, but did you know that the school's playground equipment is over 50 years old? A committee of folks has been formed, that think it's time for some new, updated equipment for the school kids and visitor's children during the summer months, to have fun on and enjoy. They figure the new equipment, installed will cost around $150,000 and have already had an offer from their local Downtown Development Authority, to match up to $65,000, so they've started some fundraising projects to get the ball rolling. The projected date of completion, if the funding goes well, is the beginning of summer of 2013

Their Facebook page, has more information about the project and will have updates posted throughout the project. There is also a webpage set up, The Copper Harbor Playground Project, where you can donate to the project online. If you prefer to send a check, you can do so by mail, in care of Copper Harbor Playground Project, P.O. Box 106, Copper Harbor, MI 49918.

$150,000???? thats quite a project for a one room school.

Pictures #1 and #2, simple but beautiful!

Nice pics, although it would be nicer to see kids playing on the swings and merry-go-round in the summertime...no windchill then :-)

I also love the first two pictures. My grandfather went to school in Copper Harbor. It's always held a special place in my heart since he comes from there.

Good luck with the school project! It would be nice for the kids!

Fantastic photos of the wintry Keweenaw shore. It's so beautiful there all year, but it's amazing in winter. I love the schoolhouse, and I think the updates on the playground will be great for the kids and visiting kids.

I'm sure this will be unpopular, but I tend to agree with Matt.

Considering the cost of materials and labor to install the new equipment, I thought $150,000 was a pretty conservative amount! 'Course, I'm used to seeing bids over $500,000 for the new playgrounds down here. (And the equipment being replaced is a LOT younger than 50 years.) My kids and grandkids have played on the Copper Harbor School playground, and I have wonderful pictures of them enjoying themselves. I hope they can keep the teeter-totter, though. We always have fun seeing how many need to be on the other end to get Grandma off the ground! Great pics of the Point! Thanks, Steve.

My first thought is to save these old pieces of fun. Then maybe add a few newer pieced style equipment. Not the whole 'sheebang' of the latest gizmos! Could be a lot cheaper I'd think and satisfy everyone? Just a thought folks.

Today is the Chinese New Year of the Dragon. They say whatever you do today, you will repeat through the year.

Work, Play, Love.....

Better yet...

PLAY, LOVE, work...

By Donna (Donna) on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 09:25 am:
Today is the Chinese New Year of the Dragon. They say whatever you do today, you will repeat through the year.

I hope that's not true!! I've been poked and prodded all morning during our annual health monitoring; once a year is enough!!! L

I agree with Matt & Shirley. $150,000 is a lot of money for a playground that cannot be used for most of the school year. If an educational asset it dosn't get much bang for the dollar. If for summer visitors then the hope is the funding comes from some other source than education funds.
sorry to be so blunt.

I guess I should watch what I eat today. I wouldn't want irregularity and have that drag-on :-)

I agree with Kay. It'd be a shame to get rid of these old-time pieces, the kind that a lot of us played on. They're classic. I'm sure the new stuff will be plastic - ugh!! I hope the park in Allouez doesn't get rid of the swings & merry-go-round there too!! If I had room, I'd buy them.

Oh, and exceptional pictures, Steve!! They're all fantastic. I love the merry-go-round one, and how the colors and pattern stand out in the snow. Excellent job!

Deb S. Usedtobe, who is your grandfather? Nice legacy.

As for the playground, my biggest surprise is that you can see it at all in January! Nice to see the snow finally show up some. And since Karen is the only poster with any semblance of real experience, I'll have to consider her opinion as more valid.

By Donna (Donna) on Monday, January 23, 2012 - 09:25
am:
Today is the Chinese New Year of the Dragon. They
say whatever you do today, you will repeat through
the year.

Great....wish I'd read this BEFORE I went out to
shovel! (sigh)

Note a fundraising project has been set up; DDA is matching 65,000 because of a lot of summertime use by visitors. Don't believe "education" dollars are being used. Yes seems pricey, but I've seen much higher numbers for playgrounds in my area of Michigan. Three main cost drivers; 1 - is the specialized equipment. 2 - must usually meet goverment standards/regulations; as most purchasers of playgrounds are government entities. 3 - There is also a very high premium because of all the liability issues for the manufacturer of the playground equipment. There are other issues of how the school is funded; being it is K-8, it doesn't meet certain requiremnents mandated by the State of Michigan and is funded by non-homestead property tax more so than the per pupil supplied by the state. Which in turn limits what "education dollars" can be spent on etc...etc...

Alex, in regard to your second post ('regular irregularity') and Laure's above-post, I'd say you're both sharp today!;)

How "recently" did Steve take these pictures? The live cam site I have for Copper Harbor shows the harbor has been almost completely frozen over for a few weeks now.

Pretty pictures. I like the Christmas lights at the Copper Harbor School, 2.

I like the second picture. That little tree looks like it is waiting for spring to arrive as it bends towards the water. The snow formation, if you will, looks like a mitten.....like lower Michigan.

That looks fun just as it is. I like current playground. The new style $150,000 may have everyone excited now but that will visually overwelm the school itself and once done your stuck with. These playgrounds are nice maybe in a village park or beach side park but I would not want one next to a one room school house to steal the show. Is there a better way to make all happy? Fundraisers are a good way to build community spirit and that is good. But I would not want to see the school loose it's wonderfull character.

What live cam are you looking at, Paul? The harbor
is wide open, especially where these shots are
taken. If you mean the "East Cam" from the CH
website, which is from "A View From the Field" by
Shari Smith, you can see the open water in the shot.
The iced area you see in the fore shot is only one
small part at one protected, shallower end of the
harbor. Steve's pics are taken about 1/3 the length
from the west end, where the harbor is deeper and
has greater current so near the harbor entrance.

The schoolhouse is next to the park.