DOWAGIAC — City officials gathered on Tuesday to break ground on the site that will eventually be constructed into Schuur Park, the newest community park in Dowagiac.

The park will be located in the 100 block of Cass Avenue and named after Bob Schuur, the longest serving councilmember in the history of Dowagiac.

Schuur was elected in 1985 as a councilmember and has pursued projects in the area to fulfill a vision for continually, enhancing quality of life for the citizens of Dowagiac, officials said. Examples of several projects Schuur nurtured to fruition include: The relocation of M-51 from the downtown and reconstruction of the downtown streetscape, the demolition of the former middle school and its redevelopment into the Donald D. Lyons Health Center, the relocation of the Dowagiac Area History Museum, the purchase and continuing development of Russom Park, the purchase of blighted properties in the block across from City Hall and the development of the James E. Snow Building, and many improvements at Riverside Cemetery.

Schuur Park will be located creek-side, which officials said has been a touch-stone to many growing up in the Dowagiac area.

Schuur Park will also provide residents with a fishing hole and become a destination for families, officials said. A fishing pier, play equipment and resting benches will be constructed as central features of the park. Officials said they hope Schuur Park will become a thread in the Dowagiac — family fabric for generations to come.