What a difference! Before and after photos of the McRae Park Community Building, which was painted this summer, demonstrate what a little money, bright-colored paint, and a dozen summer afternoons of volunteer labor can do.

This was a community service project undertaken by volunteers from the local Alpena County Democratic Party to benefit Alpena’s northside neighborhood and users of McRae Park.

Almost $1,000 was donated by Alpena County Democrats to a GoFundMe account set up for this project. The McRae Park Association chose the new building colors. They wanted colors that complemented the colorful playground equipment.

The idea for this community project arose during a discussion at one of ACDP’s social dinners last year. The group concluded that Democrats could get visible things accomplished for the community without having to hold an elected office. They wanted to show by example the capability and commitment to get things done, build up positivity and pride in Alpena, and beautify an overlooked area of town.

Courtesy Photo Volunteers from the Alpena County Democratic Party paint the McRae Park Community Building. Pictured are Cathy Goike and Christine Brennan.

“The intersection at McRae Park and Nowicki’s is an important bookend of North 2nd Avenue,” said painter Chris Brennan. “Alpena’s bookends are important landmarks and institutions that give us our identity. Our parks where we play should be colorful, inviting, safe, fun, and functional.”

McRae Park is regularly used by summer baseball leagues, youth basketball clinics, pickleball players, and families enjoying the playground equipment. McRae Park, after suffering visible neglect over the years, has gotten more attention since the City of Alpena built pickleball courts there. ACDP submitted a formal Adopt-A-Park application to the City of Alpena. Last year, they installed wooden swings, spray painted some playground equipment, and refinished a bench. This year, they tackled the Community Building. It was power washed, scraped, sanded, primed and painted over the course of many summer afternoons.

“Neighbors and park users of all ages expressed appreciation, and gave us compliments and encouragement as we worked,” Brennan added. “One young woman thanked us for painting over the old ‘creepy green.’ It’s visible improvements like this, along with the current repaving of 2nd Avenue beyond Fletcher Street, that should help attract more visitors and small business development to Alpena’s north side.”

Courtesy Photo Volunteers from the Alpena County Democratic Party paint the McRae Park Community Building.

Courtesy Photo Above is a photo of the McRae Park Community Building before the Alpena County Democratic Party painted it this summer.