The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide, support, maintain and preserve the municipal facilities, infrastructure and services within the City of Marquette. The department accomplishes this mission through the operations and services listed below.

Street Maintenance Division
The division is responsible for maintaining 15.8 miles of bike path, 64.7 miles of sidewalk, 90 miles of street right-of-way and 25 miles of public parking lot. The services provided include concrete and asphalt patching, street sweeping, snow removal, right-of-way mowing, pavement marking, and maintenance of all traffic and parking signs. Twice a year, the division provides curb-side collection of yard waste, in addition to operating a yard waste drop off site from April through November.

Water Maintenance Division
The division maintains a 98.1-mile distribution network of water mains, including 901 fire hydrants and 5,800 metered connections in order to ensure the city has superior quality drinking water and sufficient water for fighting fires. The system is continuously monitored for leaks and water quality problems, meters are routinely tested for accuracy, and facilities are inspected to protect against potential sources of contamination. During the winter months, fire hydrants must be kept accessible and clear of snow.

Park Maintenance Division
This division of full-time and seasonal employees prepares, grooms, and maintains 10 ball fields, 3 soccer fields, 7 tennis courts, 6 outdoor basketball courts, 2 swimming beaches, Shiras Pool, 2 marinas, 12 playgrounds, a skateboard park, the Tourist Park campground, a bandshell, 5 pavilions, 2 outdoor ice sheets, and over 6 miles of hiking trails.

Sewer Maintenance Division
The employees in this division are responsible for the repair, inspection and preventative maintenance of 88.3 miles of sanitary sewer main, 49 miles of storm water main, 22 run-off detention basins and other control structures. In addition to routine and emergency cleaning, this group is responsible for maintaining the quality of streams and natural water courses through the city by repair and control of erosion and sedimentation on public property.

Forestry Division/Arborist
The City’s urban forest consists of over 5,500 street trees and tens of thousands of trees in public parks. In addition to planting trees on public properties, the division is responsible for the removal of dead and diseased trees, pruning of some 500 trees each year and the enforcement of the city’s tree ordinance. Marquette’s efforts in this area have earned it the National Arbor Day Association’s designation as a “Tree City USA” for the last 22 years.

Motor Pool Division
The Motor Pool is responsible for the maintenance and repair of 150 pieces of medium to large equipment and 140 pieces of small equipment, attachments and accessories required by various City departments. The division also operates a fuel depot for the City’s fleet, the Marquette Housing Commission, the Marquette Area Public Schools and the Alger/Marquette Community Action Board (AMCAB).

Park Cemetery
The 113–acre Park Cemetery was established at its present location on Seventh Street in 1858. The cemetery provides perpetual care on a year-round basis. Many of Marquette’s founding families and early pioneers are buried here.