On April 23, 1995, a major gas natural gas leak caused a massive explosion on the triangle parcel at State Street, U.S. 131 and S. Maple Street. Three businesses were completely destroyed; others were shifted on their foundations. Store fronts were left wide open due to shattered glass. The explosion was heard as far away as Elk Rapids. The parcel was developed into what is now known as Triangle Park.
An iconic water tower which stood at the former properties of Dura Automotive on U.S. 131 at Palmer Park Road, was taken down on May 2, 2012. It was the talk of the town that day - very interesting to see. It was part of the site clean-up after the Dura plant closed. 
On October 17, 2009, as Fall was wrapping up and the temperatures dipping down quite cold, several Mancelona community members, such as Chuck Johnson, Bert & Rae Ann Thompson, Lori Gooden, Larry Hamblin family and several others, gathered at Palmer Park on Mancelona's south side to install new playground equipment. Palmer Park has a large pavilion with kitchen and restrooms, picnic area, picnic tables, disc golf, and ball diamonds. The 
equipment is still in good condition. Visitors say it's a great place to stop and let kids run and play. The pavilion is available to rent by calling the Village of Mancelona.
Hands and Feet campers with Pathway Community Church in Mancelona work together replacing the roof of the home of an elderly Mancelona resident. Pathway Community Church sponsors Hand and Feet Camp each year. Youth campers are divided in groups and paired with adult mentors. Together, the groups fulfill requests by area residents - whether it be replacing a roof, installing a handicap ramp, painting or washing windows. The group welcomes 
the community to reach them through their Website, to put in a request for assistance.
Each summer, beginning after Memorial Day week-end, hundreds of youth throughout the area participate in the youth baseball and softball programs. In Mancelona, three ball diamonds at the village's Palmer Park are kept busy as teams from 
Mancelona, Central Lake, Kalkaska, Rapid City, Bellaire, and other nearby schools compete. Bring a lawn chair and a bottled water, and spend the day cheering on the young athletes.