Rusty the Dog

Rusty the dog has made his home at the Department of Public Services in Allen Park for the last five years, and even though he’s no longer a new addition to the community, residents still get joy from him.

A mixed material art structure previously located on the Baker College of Allen Park campus, Rusty was created in the summer of 2011 by artist Ritch Branstrom for the ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids.

Rusty consists of tree trunks, automotive parts and farm materials and stands 12 feet high and 19 feet across. His toy is a silver ball constructed out of cans saved from the Rapid River School hot lunch program.

Dr. Aaron Maike was campus president of the Allen Park Baker College location when they purchased Rusty.

"We felt that he would provide an excellent 'art in public places' experience in the Allen Park community and that he would fit well in the large grassy entrance area at the Baker College Allen Park campus,” Dr. Maike said.

Rusty had been at home on the Allen Park campus for almost a decade, but the move of the campus to Auburn Hills in fall 2020 precipitated his location change.

Dr. Maike’s close, personal relationship with former Mayor Bill Matakas helped seal the deal between Baker College and the City of Allen Park to acquire Rusty.

"Bill's wife, Phillipa, was a huge fan of Rusty when we acquired him,” Dr. Maike said. “After a few phone conversations, we agreed that the City would take Rusty prior to the sale of the AP campus and eventually place him in a city park. The Allen Park city and community was always very supportive of Baker College, and Baker College thought that donating Rusty to the city would continue our almost 20-year relationship."

City leaders wanted to keep the art installation in the community as well.

“I think he is known from being in front of Baker College for so long that we wanted to keep him in Allen Park,” said City Administrator Tom Murray.

Allen Park community members have enjoyed the piece for years and were excited to welcome Rusty to his new forever home.

"Rusty is a local landmark for the community and looked upon with pride," said Allen Park resident, Dawn Huntley. "It's a beautiful piece, and we've enjoyed seeing the chemical reaction of the metal with weathering through the years."