Sep30

lakenenland.

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welcome to lakenenland

Lakenenland is the creation of Tom Lakenen, a former ironworker with a knack for welding and a big opinion on modern art. What started as a personal protest over 25 years ago against the “snobby” art world, turned into a whimsical, weird, and completely free roadside attraction that now draws in thousands of visitors each year.

The sculpture park sprawls over 37 wooded acres on a plot of land near the Lake Superior coast, and showcases more than 100 metal sculptures, everything from towering dinosaurs and lumberjacks to political satire and larger-than-life wildlife scenes. Here he showcases his tremendous talent for turning junk metal and scrap iron into awe inspiring, entertaining works of art.

Some are silly, some are poignant, and some will have you asking, “What exactly am I looking at?” But that’s all part of the fun.

Lakenenland is one of the most beloved attractions in the Upper Peninsula, and includes a Sculpture Trail, a winding road through the woods featuring more than 100 of Tom’s whimsical, colorful and sometimes “tell it like it is” metal art sculptures. Every piece of art started out as junk metal or scrap iron and has been transformed into something quite special. Lakenenland also features a bog walk, a massive timbered framed pavilion, two fishing ponds, a playground, and two entertainment stages.

a place to rest for people stopping by from the north country trail

You can drive or walk through the park, but walking is by far the best experience. The North Country Trail runs through the park on one end and Tom has set up a space for travelers, skiers and. hikers to stop, rest, talk, and eat along the way. The park is open 24hrs and free to the public 7 days a week.

Tom invites you to stop by and see for yourself why the Detroit Free Press called Lakenenland , “The coolest unofficial roadside rest stop in the state.”

‘my sculptures cause an uproar, astonishment, and put a smile on your face.’

-florentijn hofman

*Florentijn Hofman is a Dutch artist known for his large-scale, whimsical public sculptures that feature scaled-up versions of everyday objects and animals, such as his iconic, giant floating duck.  His playful installations are designed to engage with communities and provide new perspectives on familiar items.

 

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Chocolay Township/Marquette, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, USA, September 2025

 

 

 

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source credits: lakenenland, detroit free press, upper peninsula michigan

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81 responses »

    • he also went through a battle with some local politicians who wanted to shut it down as some of this pieces are against their wanting to tamp down unions or anti corporate greed, but he won his battle and the people voted him citizen of the year and all people are welcome on his land except he has made a no trespassing sign for the politicians involved, which I love as well.

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    • and his backstory was super crazy too! which only added to the joy of going there. he had a major local political battle and won, and then was voted citizen of the year by the local people. he has a sign up that all are welcome, except: he has big no trespassing sign for all of the politicians who battled him, it’s the best!

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