Questions and Answers
How did the project get started?
A group of individuals that has been close to the project wanted to memorialize and recognize the efforts of the project team and community. They met to brainstorm ideas and decided upon the mural and walkway.
What are the details of the project?
There are two components to the project – a mural and the greenspace/walkway/signage.
The mural design will be an artistic representation of the collaboration, resiliency, commitment and tireless dedication of those involved in restoring the lakes. A small team will lead a “call for artists” and work to ensure the artwork is inspirational and appropriate to the project.
The creation of the mural is up to the artist. The project team will provide artists with a general theme, emotions the mural should evoke, and parameters. The team will then review several proposed designs and choose the one that best meets the requirements.
Greenspace and walkway/signage will take a historic look at the dams, the flood of 2020, and efforts to restore the lakes and community. Details are yet to be finalized related to the specific content of the signage.
How are funds being managed?
Funds will go directly to a Project Fund at the Midland Area Community Foundation, which has several fund types to enable community advancement. A Project Fund is perfect for teams working on a short-term community project because the Foundation will manage all accounting, tax receipts, and donor communication, so the team can focus on fundraising. Explore this link to see other Project Funds managed by the Foundation.
What will happen if you raise more funds than needed?
Extra funding will be used for long-term maintenance of the mural and walkway.
What will happen if you do not raise enough funds?
The project team will continue with fundraising until all opportunities to receive contributions have been exhausted. If funds are still lacking, the team will determine how best to use the funds on hand.
Will recognition projects be implemented at any of the other dam sites?
Although the mural will represent all of the dams, this project team is focused on commissioning a recognition project only at the Sanford Dam site. Its proximity to a public park makes it an ideal location to implement an educational/historical walkway that chronicles the history of the dams. The façade of the Sanford Dam building is also an optimal spot for a mural as it will have high visibility and is easy to access from the village park and visible from the county park.