About Lakenenland
Lakenenland is an unusual sculpture park along M-28 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, about 15 miles east of Marquette. Created by artist and sculptor Tom Lakenen, the park turns discarded machinery, scrap iron, and other pieces of metal into an ever-growing collection of enormous and often eccentric works of art. What began as a way for Lakenen to display sculptures that could no longer fit in his yard has become one of the Upper Peninsula’s most distinctive roadside attractions.
Lakenen began welding sculptures from scrap metal while working construction jobs. He initially displayed his creations around his home, but local officials eventually determined that the sculptures were not permitted to be displayed there. In 2003, Lakenen purchased land near the Lake Superior shore and established Lakenenland as a permanent home for his artwork.
The result is a 37-acre park containing a winding sculpture trail through the woods. More than 100 sculptures are now displayed throughout the property, with new works continuing to be added. The pieces range from humorous and whimsical creations to massive figures that incorporate old machinery and industrial components. One sculpture depicts a skeleton riding a motorcycle through a ring of fire, while others draw inspiration from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and its culture.
Not everything at Lakenenland is simply playful. Some of Lakenen’s sculptures carry political or social messages. One notable example is a pig representing corporate greed. This mixture of humor, regional pride, environmental reuse, and commentary gives the park a distinctly personal character. Visitors aren’t simply walking through a conventional sculpture garden, they are exploring the creative world of one artist.
The park also includes attractions beyond the sculptures. A pond is stocked with fish and hosts an annual children’s fishing derby, while a bandshell provides space for live music and a summer music festival. The property also connects with the North Country Trail and serves as a stop along a snowmobile trail.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Lakenenland is its accessibility. The park is free and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visitors can walk the sculpture trail year-round and can drive through when road conditions permit. The official site describes it as a place where visitors are welcome to simply stop by and explore Tom Lakenen’s “junkyard.”
Today, Lakenenland stands as a particularly good example of Michigan’s tradition of unconventional roadside attractions. There is no admission gate or polished theme-park experience. Instead, travelers pull off M-28 and enter a strange, colorful world assembled from things that most people would have discarded.