MARQUETTE — The proposed Dark Sky Park near the Presque Isle Pavilion still is up in the air — literally and figuratively speaking.

The city of Marquette Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee has been mulling the topic for months, having been presented with a proposal for the park in 2016 by the Marquette Astronomical Society.

Since then, Marquette Parks and Recreation Coordinator Andrew MacIver, city liaison for PIPAC, has had talks with staff from the city police and fire departments as well as the Department of Public Works.

Those departments, he said at a recent PIPAC meeting, have concerns about safety and security should the Dark Sky Park be created. Other concerns dealt with vandals who are tagging — a form of graffiti that uses personal symbols to mark a person’s presence in the area — at the pavilion.

One goal of the Dark Sky Park would be reducing artificial lighting for better views of the nighttime sky.

At Wednesday’s PIPAC meeting at the Citizens’ Forum at Lakeview Arena, MacIver said he has kept in contact with city staff about the issue and at some point wants to have a roundtable discussion. However, he told the committee it has been difficult to get people together at this time of the year.

“A lot of the same issues, policies, all of those questions just keep coming to light,” said MacIver, who acknowledged it’s difficult to change park hours.

The park closes at Presque Isle in the summer at 11 p.m.

“They do not want the public out there after hours, period,” MacIver said.

However, he’s still considering alternatives for the Dark Sky Park, which include operating it within regular park hours. Increasing a law-enforcement presence also was a discussion point, although that already has been considered because of the current vandalism and other issues.

The dark sky concept is expected to have more influence in the area this summer.

MAS member Larry Buege told PIPAC at Wednesday’s meeting that on Aug. 21 there will be a Dark Sky Day because 70 percent of the sun will be covered in the region due to a solar eclipse.

The MAS, he said, will give out 500 protective glasses, with the Peter White Public Library also having those special items.

“I can understand the problems you’re facing, but I think a lot of what we have is we’re victims of poor timing,” Buege said. “We’re presenting this when you guys are trying to clamp down on destruction of the park.”

He said MAS suggests the drive-around be blocked off at dusk so people can still go to Sunset Point. A trial period also would be a good idea, he said.

PIPAC Chairman Sam Crowley said: “We definitely support what you’re doing and we’re hoping to get something worked out.”

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.