Nestled along the scenic Bridge to Bay Trail in St. Clair County, Michigan, a unique musical parklet in Marine City invites trail users to pause, play, and connect through music. The trail itself stretches from the Blue Water Bridge on Lake Huron south to Algonac, weaving through vibrant downtowns, peaceful woodlands, and picturesque waterfronts. Designed to link communities with parks, museums, beaches, and lighthouses, the trail offers a rich blend of recreation and discovery.

One standout feature along the trail is the Musical Parklet, located just behind the Marine City Library. This interactive space was created to transform an underused area into a vibrant destination for families, cyclists, and music lovers of all ages and abilities.

Thanks to a grant from the Play Everywhere Challenge—an initiative by KaBOOM! and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation—the parklet features a collection of outdoor musical instruments, including Cherub Bells, a Rainbow Cavatina Xylophone, Tubular Bells, Rainbow Sambas, and an Akadinda. The space also includes bike racks, seating, a small repair station, and a trail information kiosk, making it a practical and playful stop for trail users.

“The goal was to create an innovative play space that encourages creativity and brings play into everyday life,” said a city representative. “It’s a perfect fit for our vision of turning overlooked spaces into community assets.”

The parklet was developed as a community build project, with local volunteers, city officials, and members of the Marine City Lions Club working alongside public works staff to bring the vision to life. The result is a welcoming, inclusive space that encourages spontaneous musical expression and outdoor recreation.

“We wanted to enhance the trail experience and offer something unique for residents and visitors alike,” said a city official. “The musical parklet is directly accessible from the bike path, making it an ideal stop for anyone exploring the trail.”

Since its installation, the parklet has received enthusiastic support from the community. Families, children, and trail users of all ages have embraced the space as a joyful, interactive addition to the city’s recreational offerings.

“It’s wonderful to see people of all abilities engaging with the instruments and enjoying the outdoors together,” a city spokesperson shared. “This space truly reflects our commitment to inclusive, creative play.”

Creating community-built play spaces often comes with funding challenges. That’s why KaBOOM! offers grant opportunities to help communities bring their play projects to life. To explore current opportunities, visit KaBOOM.org/Grants.