Winning Poems and Poets

In fall of 2025, residents of the Tri-County Area in Mid-Michigan, age 10 and older, were invited to submit poems celebrating water and the Tollgate Drain Wetlands, a constructed mini-park inside the City of Lansing which functions as a nature and wildlife sanctuary, in addition to its primary role as part of Ingham County's stormwater management system.

More than 230 poems were submitted to the contest. Writers were encouraged to spend time in Tollgate, notebook in hand, recording their observations and contemplating the role of water in our lives.

Now, Tollgate features six winning poems on lectern signs installed along the walking paths in the wetlands. Each poem is highlighted against a background of fine art photographic images of Tollgate created by Kim Kauffman for the project.

Click the images below to read the poems and learn more about the poets whose work was selected to enhance the path at Tollgate Drain Wetlands.