DOWAGIAC — A new park, which will be located on Cass Avenue adjacent to the Dowagiac Creek, will now be officially called, “Schuur Park,” after Dowagiac City Councilmember Bob Schuur.

At a city council meeting, Mayor Don Lyons made the resolution which was unanimously passed by the council to name the park after Schuur, who has been the longest continuous serving councilmember in the history of Dowagiac.

Schuur has served as a councilmember for the city for more than 34 years, after he began his first term on city council on Nov. 18, 1985.

“It’s a real honor for the Schuur name,” Schuur said. “I’m just honored. I’ve known it for a month, and it has been so hard not to tell my family.”

A month ago, Schuur said Lyons brought the idea to the city council, and everyone unanimously showed their support.

Prior to the official reading of the resolution at council, Schuur called Dr. James Burke, Lyons’ predecessor as mayor, and told him the city council was naming a park, Schuur Park.

“He said, ‘well it’s a good honor,”’ Shuur said. “He and I have remained good friends.”

At the city council meeting, Lyons read the official resolution, which detailed the contributions Schuur has made in his 34 years as a councilmember.

“Since his election, he has diligently pursued major projects and fulfilled a vision continually enhancing quality of life for the citizens of Dowagiac,” Lyons said. “This park will provide a place for persons of all ages to gather, fish, rest and recreate.”

The resolution listed Schuur’s involvement in many projects, including: The relocation of M-51 in the downtown; reconstruction of the downtown streetscape; the demolition of the former Dowagiac Middle School and its redevelopment into the downtown Lyons Health Center; relocation of the Dowagiac Area History Museum; the purchase and continued development of Russom Park; the purchase of blighted property across from Dowagiac City Hall and its redevelopment into the James E. Snow Building; and improvements to numerous structures at Riverside Cemetery.

Schuur said he has also been on the Dowagiac Cemetery Board for all of the years that he has also been on the city council.

“The cemetery is very important to me,” Schuur said. “All the years, I’ve followed through and followed through. It’s been nice.”

In mid-July, the city awarded a contract with Kalleward Group for the construction of the new park, which required an extensive redesign but included all of the original ideas — parking, walkways to the water, a fishing pier and a substantial play area for the youth. At the July city council meeting, City Manager Kevin Anderson said the contract put the city in a position, with weather permitting, to have the park done by this year.

As Schuur accepted the resolution for Schuur Park, he thanked Mayor Lyons and his fellow councilmembers.

“In all the years I’ve been on the council, I have gotten to know so many nice people,” he said.