Parks & Recreation

Northern Mich~Mash Preserve

~ PARKS & RECREATION ~
(Petoskey)

The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2017.
Most posted items will enlarge by "clicking" on them.
"Clicking" on some color highlighted words may access additional information.

Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.

18 June 1875: The FIRST Baseball club, the "Chippeways" organized.

For additional information about Cushman/Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey, Michigan,
access the web page of Pennsylvania Park Memorials and Markers with links to the
Civil War Memorial, Desert Shield/Storm, In Memory, Purple Heart, Freedom Tree, Viet Nam Memorial, WWI, and WWII/Korean Memorial at the bottom of its page.

Pennsylvania Park was known also as:
1) Hughart Park, as Mr. W.O. Hughart was the president of the G.R. & I. Railroad which ran right through the park. 2) Railroad Park 3) G.R. & I. Park 4) Cushman House Park 5) Pennsylvania Park.
Now named Pennsylvania Park, probably after the Pennsylvania Railroad train came through…

Information about the city's Magnus Park may be accessed on this website's waterfront web page
by clicking HERE.

~ Cushman Park in 1885 (Pennsylvania Park >) ~

14 July 1885 ~ The Northern Independent

Greenwood Postcards Archive Collection (After 1905 when the cannon was set in the park)

Undated Postcard Below: The G.R.&I. Railroad ran through the Cushman Park as noted above. It is unclear where the G.R.&I. Park was located. Click HERE to contact the web master with any information about the park shown on the postcard below.

Little Traverse Historical Society Bob and Lila Ball Collection (24 August 1905)

Photo Below: Notice the tall building in the background behind Penney's on the left. That tall building was the
Darling building which eventually was razed, and in 2025 the Darling Parking Lot is located there.

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (1926)

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (Undated)

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (Undated)

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (Undated)

~ Marquette Park > Arlington Park ~
1882 >

1882 Advertisement Below: The hotel "The Arlington" adjoins the beautiful "MARQUETTE PARK," and commands the most charming view of Little Travers Bay. The Marquette Park was named for the Father Marquette Trail (article below).

1882 Petoskey City Directory

For additional information about Arlington Park, Petoskey, Michigan,
access the web page of Arlington Park Memorials and Markers and
the web page of Arlington Park which includes the D.A.R and G.A.R and Marquette Trail Marker.

Click HERE to read "The Old Trail through Arlington Park once used by Indians enroute from Straits to Gran Rapids" as presented by Greenwood History Archive website.

4 July 1946 ~ Northern Michigan Review (written by anonymous "Old Pioneer") continued photo/text at right...

5 October 2010 ~ Marquette Statue Located on Mackinac Island

4 July 1946 ~ Northern Michigan Review

20 June 1946 ~ Northern Michigan Review (written by anonymous "Old Pioneer") continued from Photo/Text above...

25 July 1930 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Photo/Postcard Below: In Petoskey's Arlington Park
"this stone marks the old Indian Trail from Mackinaw City to Grand Rapids".

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (Undated)

Arlington Park Extended into Winter Sports Park 1901?

27 September 1901 ~ The Independent Democrat

1907 ~ J. Russell Thomson's Resort Guide

Photo/Text Below: Tennis Courts in 1952 had been located where the Arlington Hotel used to stand.

8 May 1952 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Article Below: Homer Sly is the owner of the Northern Lime company. The company owns Arlington park and so Mr. Sly stated if the city [Petoskey] does not see fit to care for the park and make some good use of it, his company will be tempted to fence it to make a private park of it. The park needs to be kept clean. Mr. Sly also said the tennis court in that park is available for use of the public IF the city will take care of it.

15 July 1915 ~ Petoskey Evening News and The Daily Resorter

19 September 1916 ~ Petoskey Evening News

15 JUne 1917 ~ Petoskey Evening News

8 January 1925 ~ Levering Local

2 June 1927 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Petoskey Municipal Tennis Courts

The 30 June 1938 Northern Michigan Review reported: In 1928 Two concrete tennis courts were built in Arlington park for the enjoyment of local and summer visitors; and in 1932 another court was added, plus a shuffle board.

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (Undated)

Little Traverse Historical Society Archive of Bob and Lila Ball Postcard Collection (Undated)

9 June 1948 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Postcard Below: Petoskey's Municipal Play Ground included tennis courts and shuffleboard courts.

Personal Postcard of Petoskey's Municipal Playground including tennis courts and shuffleboard (Undated) ~ Published by Mrs. A.C. Cook, Petoskey, Michigan

In 2022 the Arlington Park tennis court area was long ago replaced near the Petoskey High School complex,
while the Arlington Park tennis court location is a parking lot.

~ A City Pool NEVER Happens as of 2025 ~
In 1933 the city council instructed Manager Mitchell to go ahead with plans for
installation of the largest public bathing pool in the north country,
probably 200X300 or 200X350 feet in size.

What happened????

1 August 1933 ~ The Petoskey Evening News

6 November 1974 ~ Petoskey News Review

~ Bates Park ~
(Baseball Park)

At one time Bates Field (now Park), named in honor of Petoskey's Dr. Bates, was located directly on the waterfront.
With waterfront renewal, the field was moved to 1307 Howard Street, near North Central Michigan College.

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (2001)

~ Curtis Park in 1908 ~
Name Park for William L. Curtis for His Generous Gift

5 May 1908 ~ Petoskey Evening News... continued next column

5 May 1908 ~ Petoskey Evening News... continued from previous column

6 May 1908 ~ The Petoskey Record

~ Curtis Park Hummock Squirrels in 1910 ~

17 May 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News

~ Curtis Park Lauded by
Expert Park Commissioner ~
1910

21 June 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News

~ Curtis Park Fountain
and Fish Basin ~
1910

22 June 1910 ~ The Petoskey Record

~ Curtis Park Receiving
Much Beautifying Attention ~
1910

23 June 1910 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Article Below: By 1958, the city parks and recreation was striving to place a regulation baseball diamond in Curtis Park. Members of the local community, especially of conjoined Priebe Acres protested the suggestion. The playground has remained a peaceful setting for many to enjoy.

24 May 1958 ~ Emmet County Graphic

9 August 1967 ~ Petoskey News Review

~ Curtis Park in 2004 ~

9 August 2004 ~ Petoskey News Review

~ Place Seats in Railroad Parks ~
1916

6 July 1916 ~ Petoskey Evening News

~ Federation Park in 1911 ~
(No longer exists...)

Federation Park which no longer exists in 2025 had once been the site of the Petoskey home of Charles Caskey who was the contractor who built the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in 93 days! The Caskey home on this Bay and Division streets corner was eventually encompassed by Caskey's Imperial Hotel. After the Imperial Hotel burned in 1908, the space became Federation Park where various community events were staged. Today the site is a parking lot for the Emmet County Building. Access more information about the Imperial Hotel on this same website on the "Petoskey Hotels" web page, by clicking HERE.

17 May 1911 ~ The Petoskey Record

18 May 1911 ~ Petoskey Evening News

24 February 1934 ~ Petoskey Evening News

9 July 1936 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Obituary Below Left: Mrs. Edward E. Cross was the FIRST President of the Petoskey Federation of Women's Club which was the umbrella club of the multiple and various women's clubs in Petoskey. The Petoskey Federation of Women's Clubs created the Federation Park. Learn more on Interlochen Public Radio from Little Traverse Historical Museum's director Jane Garver about the Federated Women's clubs leaving a lasting impact in Petoskey by clicking HERE.

10 November 1943 ~ Petoskey Evening News

15 June 1943 ~ Petoskey Evening News

1 June 1959 ~ Petoskey News Review

1953 Article Below:
Old Landmark railroad water tower located behind the city building in Federation Park was torn down.

21 January 1953 ~ Petoskey News Review

Photo Below: The 1960 Petoskey High School graduation ceremony was held at Federation Park.
The Petoskey High School Class of 1965 was LAST to hold a graduation ceremony in Federation Park.

Petoskey High School Graduation Class of 1960 ~ Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspaper (June 1960)

Greenwood Photo Archives (31 June 1963)

~ Hillside Behind Museum ~

1938 Homecoming Booklet

~ Hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum, Petoskey, Michigan ~
(Not specified as a park, but owned by the city... should be maintained)

29 November 2017 ~ Hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum in Petoskey, Michigan

Photo Below: This cement plaque is simply for the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks... 629 1915. A.D.
The Elks are a fraternal order founded in 1868 as a social club in New York City, New York.
Merle E. Kring (1900~1969) was a member of the Elks Number 629.

29 November 2017 ~ Hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum in Petoskey, Michigan

Photo Below: Meyer Fryman constructed a house on Michigan Street in Petoskey, Michigan, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. It was unusual in Petoskey for a house to be constructed of concrete blocks. Meyer Fryman owned a shoe business which began 26 October 1897 as the year in concrete below indicates.

29 November 2017 ~ Hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum in Petoskey, Michigan

Look Left in the Photo Below: Fryman's store on Howard Street located close to Mitchell Street. Notice the exact "building name and1897 date" toward the top of the building, as now rest on the hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Society. Stores to the right of Fryman's were the Rexall Drug store, the Palace Theatre, and Jesperson's restaurant.

Little Traverse Historical Museum Photo Collection

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection

18 April 1935 ~ Northern Michigan Shopper

21 October 1937 ~ Emmet County Graphic

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (1910)

10 July 1952 ~ Petoskey's Centennial newspaper edition... (Location in 2025 is close to Petoskey's Chase Bank on Lake Street)

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (Undated)

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (1908)

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (25 June 1928)

26 November 1956 ~ Petoskey News Review

14 February 1977 ~ Petoskey News Review

Photo/Text Below: The Eagle above the door of the US Post Office in Petoskey was to be saved. City officials and VanDom Enterprises agreed to salvage the carved eagle for the Little Traverse Regional HIstorical Society. The Post Office building was razed to make way for the then new State Bank and Trust Company; the location of Quiet Moose in 2025.

11 August 1967 ~ Petoskey News Review

Photo Above: This sculpted relief rested above the entry doorway to the US Post Office in Petoskey, Michigan, when it was on the corner of Petoskey and Mitchell streets.
Photo Below: This piece that haphazardly rests on the hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum appears to be the exact same piece as that in the above photo, but lacking the eagle!

29 November 2017 ~ Hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum in Petoskey, Michigan

Four Photos Below: This eagle and underneath scroll piece at one time rested near the entryway to the Little Traverse Historical Museum. IF anyone knows where the eagle is now, please contact this webmaster.

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (Undated)

29 November 2017 ~ Hillside behind the Little Traverse Historical Museum (Previously the Pere Marquette Depot) in Petoskey, Michigan

Photos Above and Below: Stairway in same locations....

10 July 1952 ~ Petoskey's Centennial newspaper edition

~ Golf ~

19 February 1916 ~ Petoskey Evening News

24 June 1968 ~ Petoskey Evening News

This plaque hangs on the entry wall to the Petoskey - Bay View Country Club

This photo of B. H. Cook hangs on the entry wall to the Petoskey - Bay View Country Club beside the plaque above...

The obituary below of Bert H. Cook states: "It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Cook that the local country club was formed. Its president for many years, he built the club from a struggling nine-hole course to a beautiful and complex golf club."

10 August 1934 ~ Petoskey Evening News

3 July 1916 ~ Petoskey Evening News

4 September 1916 ~ Petoskey Evening News

27 September 1916 ~ Petoskey Evening News

This name change was instigated when Fritz Curtis was getting a liquor license for the club.
The people of Bay View could not support that option.

7 June 1945 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Petoskey Bay View Country Club photographed by Foley

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection

Greenwood Archive of Bob and Lila Ball Postcard Collection (Undated)

Greenwood Archive from Pamphlet "Petoskey The Rising Sun" (Undated)

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (Undated)

"Club House. Petoskey and Bay View Country Club. Petoskey, MIchigan (Undated) ~ Private Postcard Collection

"Golf Course. Petoskey and Bay View Country Club. Petoskey, MIchigan (Undated) ~ Private Postcard Collection

Photo Below: Beyond the extensive grounds of the Petoskey - Bay View Golf Course
were the smoke stack and water tower from Kegomic's Tannery Industry.

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (Undated)

1945 Article Below:
C.Frederick Curtis was re-elected to a second year as club president,
and the traditional name, Petoskey-Bay View Country Club, was restored upon request
in an almost unanimous vote by the membership, after a Bay View Association trustee made a request.

22 August 1945 ~ Petoskey Evening News

2 October 1948 ~ Petoskey Evening News

25 June 1949 ~ Petoskey News Review

Leo Peterson worked for
Petoskey Bay View Country Club for years.
He passed away 24 December 2019.

27 December 2019 ~ Petoskey News Review (from Leo Peterson's obituary)

Photo Below: Leo Peterson was a member of the
Petoskey Bay View Country Club
and an excellent golfer.

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspaper (1953)

15 May 1953 ~ Petoskey Evening News

~ Petoskey Bay View Country Club Porch Remodel ~
April 1953

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspaper (1953)

~ Petoskey Bay View Country Club Porch Remodel ~
April 1953

Newspaper text under the photo below: "Rebuilding Club Porch. Work on the Petoskey-Bay View Country Club porch was started this week. It is to be rebuilt by contractor Richard Wilbur, to take care of one edge which sunk. A painting bee is planned this next month to have members come out and paint the entire building prior to the season opening, according to Arnold Wolgast."

2 April 1953 ~ Northern Michigan Review

~ General Manager of the Petoskey Bay View Country Club, Clarence P. Murphy, Died ~
1954

9 June 1954 ~ Petoskey Evening News

~ Petoskey Bay View Country Club Interior ~
1959

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (1959)

~ Petoskey Bay View Pro Shop ~
1959

24 July 1959 ~ Emmet County Graphic

Two Photo/Text Below: 6 February 1964 went into the record books as the earliest starting time for golfers, and sled dogs on the caddy cart as the most unusual. The malemutes were owned by Stan and Jean Douglas who also owned Club Ponytail. Click HERE for additional information about the Club Ponytail, Club Manitou, and Golden Horseshoe with connection to the Douglases.

7 February 1964 ~ Petoskey News Review

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (7 February 1964)

~ 18th Green and 10th Tee Flooding on Petoskey-Bay View Country Club ~
3 July 1974

July 1974 ~ PBVCC Looking at 10th tee Flood (Ramp from Lower Nine to Upper Nine)

July 1974 ~ PBVCC 18th Green Flood

July 1974 ~ PBVCC 10th Tee looking down at 18th Green

July 1974 ~ PBVCC Flood on Lower Nine

5 July 1974 ~ The Petoskey News Review

29 August 1979 ~ Petoskey News Review

Photo Above: These ladies received awards in the 18 hole division at the country club. Front L>R: Izzie Oelke and Marilyn Hume. Back Going Clockwise From Left: Carma Irwin, Lois Skeels. Phyllis Blanchard, Helen Weipking and Monica Trulson. Izzie Oelke was the Club Champion for women at the Petoskey Bay View Country Club for the season.

Jean Elder's obituary below stated...
she was the FIRST female president of the Petoskey Bayview Country Club.

10 August 2019 ~ Petoskey News Review

This is a copy of a photo of the Petoskey Bay View Country Club that hung on the wall of the entry to the club ~ 2 October 2021

2 October 2021

~ Horseshoe Pitching ~
(Ramblers Club founded in 1917)

4 September 1947 ~ Northern Michigan Review

~ Petoskey Ice Arena, Emmet County, Michigan ~
3450 M-119, Harbor Springs, Michigan

21 March 2022 ~ Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley, Up North Imaging

~ Lockwood Park in 1892 ~
Northeast corner of Lockwood Avenue and Spruce Street

Click HERE to access Little Traverse History Museum's story about Lockwood Park being a gift
worthy of Civil War soldier William Lockwood (1924-1900).

"In September of 1892, the village of Petoskey accepted the gift of grounds (possibly 2 acres) for a park from Isaac D. Toll. He presented the land to the Colonel Lombard Post Number 17 of the Grand Army of the Republic to be used for pleasure and Memorial Day services. He hoped that there would be a monument erected in memory of soldiers who had died." Instead, the Lombard Post created a monument at Greenwood Cemetery instead of this park.

Photo Below: Because General Isaac Toll offered the site for the Lockwood Hospital, as seen in the photo below, it is understood why the baseball field in the photo was located in Lockwood Park.

Greenwood Cemetery Archive ~ 1956

Today Petoskey's website gives the following description of Lockwood Park:
"Lockwood Park is a relatively small neighborhood park on a hilltop site that contains a City-owned underground water-storage reservoir. It includes a ball field, one-half basketball court, two mini soccer fields, and a large open space area used by neighborhood children for unstructured play."

~ Magnus Park ~

Information about Magnus Park on this same Northern Mich~Mash Preserve website
can be found on the "Petoskey Waterfront" web page by clicking HERE.

~ Mineral Well Park ~
(Located beside the Lake Street Dam)

Access additional information on the Charlevoix Emmet History website on its web page about the
Mineral Well Park which was the original site of the World War I Memorial.

Photo Below Labeled:
"Drilling Petoskey's First Mineral Well"

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (Undated)

Greenwood Cemetery Archive ~ Old undated postcard AND Little Traverse Historical Society Bob and Lila Ball Collection (Undated)

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (1913) created by Foley

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (Undated)

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (1924)

Little Traverse Historical Society Bob and Lila Ball Collection (Undated)

5 June 2010 ~ Mineral Well Park

Photo Below: Click HERE to access additional information about Mineral Well Park and the WWI Plaque
which has been moved to Pennsylvania Park.

David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography in the William L. Clements Library University of Michigan Library Digital Collections (Undated, but after WWI)

~ J.C. Penney Park ~
(Actually the park property belongs to the J.C. Penney property description)

J.C. Penney Park ~ Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspapers (Undated)

J.C. Penney Park ~ Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspapers (October 1969)

TOP

~ Pennsylvania Park ~

10 August 1939 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Article Left: Eight-year old Ga-Nu-Na-Neese (Walter Carrow) was hired by the Chamber of Commerce to dress in complete Indian regalia, with headquarters in his wigwam in Pennsylvania Park, could be seen strolling Petoskey streets, welcoming summer visitors to the region.

27 June 1986 ~ Petoskey News Review

6 December 1951 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Click HERE to access additional "Pennsylvania Park Memorials and Markers" information,
located on my "Charlevoix Emmet History" website.
(Clickable Below) Pennsylvania Memorials and Markers include:
Civil War Memorial
Desert Shield/Storm
In Memory
Purple Heart
The Freedom Tree Dedicated To All Prisoners Of War And Missing In Action
Viet Nam Memorial
World War I Memorial
World War II/Korea Memorial

~ Pioneer Park (Sunset Park) ~

19 June 1952 ~ Northern Michigan Review headline accompanied article below...

19 June 1952 ~ Northern Michigan Review article accompanied headline above...

17 July 1952 ~ Northern Michigan Review

2 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News

11 July 1952 ~ Dedicated

1 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News

11 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Greenwood Photo Archive from Petoskey Newspaper (11 July 1952)

11 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News... continued next column

11 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News... continued on column below

11 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News... continued from column above right

Representation for Pioneers... Andrew Porter and Chief Petoskey,
with Centennial Queen Barbara Ernst and General Chairman Harriet Kilborn.

12 July 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News

2 Jly 1953 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Greenwood Photo Archive from Petoskey Newspaper (1953) labeled "Pioneer Park Development"

Greenwood Photo Archive from Petoskey Newspaper (1953) labeled "Pioneer Park Bluff Development"

Greenwood Photo Archive from Petoskey Newspaper (1953) labeled "Pioneer Park Development"

Greenwood Photo Archive from Petoskey Newspaper (1953) labeled "Pioneer Park Bluff Development"

Little Traverse Historical Society Bob and Lila Ball Collection (Undated)

25 April 1938 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Article Above: This refers to the 1938 fire of the Z.Cook Bockes block located at the corner of Lake Street and Park Avenue.

8 May 1954 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Greenwood Photo Archive from Petoskey Newspaper (1954)

3 July 1947 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Photo Below Labeled: The Cook Bockes Building on the Midway in Petoskey...
like the Cook Bockes plaque on the Pioneer/Sunset Park rock above.

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection

29 November 2017

21 August 1954 1954 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Interceptor Sewer near the C&O Railroad Tracks on Waterfront

20 June 1962 ~ Petoskey News Review

3 March 1986 ~ Petoskey News Review

1 May 1986 ~ Petoskey News Review

~ Veterans Park ~
425 Madison Street, Petoskey, Michigan

Click HERE to access addtional information about Petoskey's Veterans Park.
The park in 2025 is basically non-existent even though it is the entrance to Petoskey from the south.

17 October 1974 ~ Petoskey News Review

21 July 2025 ~ Captured from the City of Petoskey website

G. Donald Kennedy State Park
US-31 between Petoskey and Charlevoix

1961

9 August 1961 ~ Petoskey News Review

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey News Review (9 August 1961)

1967 Photo/Text Below:
Hillard LImbaugh Family eating steack dinner at Kennedy Roadside Park

28 August 1967 ~ Petoskey News Review

Advertisement Below:
Even in 1948 the roadside park on the bay side, near the fairgrounds was called
"Washout Park"

12 August 1948 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Washout Park Unveiled the Little Traverse Bay Marker
(Years later the marker was moved to Sunset Park on the other side of Petoskey where it still stands.)
1959

23 May 1959 ~ Petoskey News Review photo/text accompanied the article below...

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (23 May 1959)

23 May 1959 ~ Petoskey News Review article accompanied the photo/text above...

Photos/Text Below: Pioneer Park

13 July 1964 ~ Northern Michigan Graphic Resorter

Article Below: Washout Park Historical Marker moved to Pioneer Park...
from the south side to the north side of Petoskey.
Washout Park was abandoned; needed for road widening, and partially on private land.

17 April 1968 ~ Petoskey News Review

Photo Below: This restroom is mentioned in the above Photo/Text.

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoksey Newspaper (17 April 1968)

Article/Text Below: The Little Traverse Bay Historic Marker was originally dedicated in 1959 on the west side of Petoskey when it was thought that the State of Michigan owned the land. The 1968 article above reported that the historic sign was to be moved east of Petoskey at Pioneer Park (Later, renamed Sunset Park).

19 May 1959 ~ Petoskey News Review

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (April 1968)

Clipping Left: The Historic Marker as shown above was dedicated on its original location... in a highway park, or scenic turn-out, a short distance past the fair grounds on the road to Charlevoix.

Michigan Historical Sign MOVED from Washout Park to Pioneer Park
(in 1961 Washout Park was named G. Donald Kennedy State Park)
NOW named Sunset Park...

29 November 2017

The photo above of the sign for the Michigan Historical Commission Registered Site No. 66 reads: "LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY For centuries this region has been the home of Ottawa Indians, whose warriors and orators fought bravely to retain their land. Around 1700 a mission was built by French Jesuits at the famous L'Arbre Croche villages which stretched from Cross Village to Harbor Springs. Petoskey, named for Chief Pe-to-se-ga of the Bear River Band, was first settled in 1852 by Andrew Porter, a Presbyterian missionary. With the coming of the railroad in 1873 it changed rapidly from primitive settlement to one of America's leading summer resort cities. Bay View, the adjoining summer colony, was established in 1875." NOTE as noted in the photo and the clipping above... this same sign was once located on the other side of Petoskey in a different roadside park (Washout Park), but had to be moved when private ownership of the Washout Park property location was revealed.

2024
Four Photos Below: The city is in the process of redoing Sunset Park.
Plans include removal of the gazebo, removal of some trees, and adding sidewalk.

More of Charles Dawley's remarkable videos and photography can be viewed on
Drone Photography from Charles Dawley "Up North Imaging".

Posted only by Permission from Drone Photographer Charles Dawley

~ Rotary Park ~
US 131 Overlooking Petoskey and the Bay
(PRE Kmart Plaza)

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection (Undated) ~ View of Little Traverse Bay from Rotary Park (PRE Kmart Plaza)

1936
Two Articles Below: The Rotary Club instigated the Scenic Look-Out.

15 October 1936 ~ Petoskey Evening News

1 December 1936 ~ Petoskey Evening News

The 30 June 1938 Northern Michigan Review reported:"The Rotary Club purchased a scenic location on highway M-131 south of this city which was landscaped for the benefit of those desiring true scenic beauty."

22 September 1951 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Reported on the web page for the Petoskey Rotary Club:
"The [Rotary] Club purchased land for a scenic turnout at the top of the hill on US 31, entering Petoskey, in 1937. A lodge and rest rooms were built and a sign, “Rotary Park”, was installed. The view of Little Traverse Bay was magnificent. When the land between the park and Little Traverse Bay was to be sold, the Club purchased the threatened land for $23,000 over a four year period. The scenic property was later deeded to the State." In 1980 the Rotary Club deeded Rotary Park to the State of Department of Transportation...
"Our club continues to evolve and grow. We sold our Rotary Park prior to the Great Recession of 2008 and invested the proceeds in perpetuity in to the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. We assess the yearly earnings from the initial investment and take 80% of the profit and make it available for worthwhile grant applicants from our community."

12 June 1952 ~ Petoskey Evening News

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection (After 1952 when the log supported sign was erected)

Article Below: Note that Washout Park was being claimed by the State of Michigan,
with the state paying for maintenance, even of Washout Park (note 1968 article above).

19 June 1952 ~ Northern Michigan Review

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspapers (19 June 1952)

Seems that someone always tries to ruin what is good...

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspapers (November 1955)

Little Traverse Historical Society Photo Collection (Undated)

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey Newspapers (Undated)

1964
Rotary Park overlooking the eventual K-Mart shopping center location...

View from Rotary Park site on US 131 ~ Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoksey Newspapers (October 1964)

~ Petoskey Parks In General ~

31 December 1936 ~ Northern Michigan Review

25 April 1960 ~ Petoskey News Review

5 January 1961 ~ Petoskey News Review

26 March 1968 ~ Petoskey News Review

30 March 1968 ~ Petoskey News Review

28 April 1955 ~ Petoskey News Review

8 April 1963 ~ Petoskey News Review

2 November 1973 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued below...

2 November 1973 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued from above...

~ Petoskey Bathing Beach > Petoskey State Park ~
2475 M-119, Petoskey, Michigan

1938 "Souvenir of Petoskey 1938 Homecoming–A History of the Past and Present" (Page 31)

13 July 1957 ~ Petoskey News Review

Originally the park property was a part of the Kegomic Tannery... close to Tannery Creek. Petoskey purchased a portion of the tannery land in 1934 to become the Petoskey Bathing Beach. In 1968 the State of Michigan purchased the beach and created the park campground by 1970. The Petoskey State Park includes 303 acres right on Little Traverse Bay.

16 August 1974 ~ Petoskey News Review

1987
100 new campsites open with a brief history of the Petoskey State Park accession...

22 May 1987 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued below...

22 May 1987 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued from above...

A report compiled by Taylor Worsham of Sault Ste Marie News in the 11 June 2021 Petoskey News Review described Petoskey State Park: "Petoskey-Dunes Modern Campground is well known for its family atmosphere and smaller sites ideal for tent, van or compact campers. Many of the sites are shaded by cedar trees. There is a small trail that leads to the day-use area along Lake Michigan. There is 20- and 30-amp service available on each site. Recycling is available. A free trolley runs between the state park and downtown Petoskey during the summer months. A route schedule is posted in the campground." The park includes 303 acres.

The 12 September 2024 Petoskey News Review reported that the DNR was seeking input on management of the Petoskey State Park. A 10-year plan includes possible 1) adding hike-in and bike-in rustic campsites 2) an area for leashed pets on the beach outside of the designated swimming beach 3) studying traffic flow at the park’s entrance.

Aerial View of Petoskey State Park Concession and Parking by the Lake Michigan Beach
2925

20 August 2025 ~ Pilot and Photographer Charlie MacInnis

Additional information about Petoskey's Pedestrian Tunnel may be accessed by clicking HERE
for the "Bypasses and Roads" web page on this same website.

14 July 1961 ~ Petoskey News Review

1962 Photo Below Left AND 1965 Clipping Below Right: The Tunnel waterfall photos illustrate why a new engineering design for the Sunset Blvd. was necessary. Did an engineer ever guarantee the original design? The taxpayers' money was washed away with a poor design accepted by governmental entities.

Greenwood Photo Archive Collection from Petoskey newspapers (24 August 1962)

14 July 1965 ~ Petoskey News Review

~ Tunnel Under the By Pass Leading to the Waterfront Park ~
1994 and 1995

     17 November 1994 Petoskey News Review reported: "The city also expects to start work on the pedestrian tunnel under U.S. 31 this spring. A prefabricated, wider tunnel will be installed.
     The project has been estimated at $4 million [project included more than just the tunnel], and downtown merchants will be footing part of the bill for things like special sidewalk pavers and other amenities. Bids have been in for almost two months and are still being tabulated by city staff."

     16 December 1994 Petoskey News Review reported: " Korthauer [city manager] also announced the city has received additional funding to improve the pedestrian tunnel that goes under U.S. 31 at the end of Petoskey Street.
     The city received a $321,360 state highway grant in 1993 that will be used to improve and provide handicap accessibility to the tunnel's entrances. The new, $112,341 grant will be used to widen the tunnel itself. Korthauer said the project is slated to being in the spring."

     17 January 1994 Petoskey News Review reported: Petoskey council will–"Sign a contract with MDOT to build the U.S. 31 pedestrian tunnel between downtown and Bayfront Park. Petoskey has federal grants of $33,700 and local matching funds of $238,000. That money is coming from the Tax Increment Finance Authority."

7 February 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

15 May 1995 Petoskey News Review reported: Petoskey council will–"Sign an agreement on the pedestrian tunnel replacement project which would protect the state department of transportation in lawsuits should something go wrong. The city plans to cut a deep trench through U.S. 31 and install a pre-built concrete tunnel."

5 June 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

19 June 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

11 July 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

18 July 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued below...

18 July 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review article continued from above...

1995 ~ Tunnel Being Built Under By-Pass

1995 ~ Photography by Karla Buckmaster

16 August 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

5 October 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

20 June 1995 ~ Petoskey News Review

18 August 2007 ~ Entryway to the Tunnel to the Park on the Waterfront with the Clock Tower near the water...

18 August 2007 ~ Entryway to the Tunnel to Bayfront Park on the Waterfront

3 June 2024 ~ Entryway to the Midway on the waterfront

May 2023
Tunnel Tunes with Mysterious Piano Placement

Photo Below: Someone mysteriously placed a piano and bench inside the tunnel leading from downtown Petoskey to the Waterfront... acoustics in the tunnel are amazing. Click HERE and HERE to hear the piano sound and voice from inside the tunnel.

Facebook photo capture ~ 1 May 2023

28 May 2023

Tunnel Tunes Links:
Click HERE
Click HERE
Click HERE
FACEBOOK

Sometime during December 2023 the piano disappeared from the tunnel.

Two Photos Below: It was reported that on 26 May 2024 the same piano has reappeared in the tunnel and had perhaps been in storage to save it from the winter elements. The front panel covering the strings above the keys has been removed (is missing).

6 June 2024 ~ Grinnell Bros. Detroit

6 June 2024

On 29 June 2024 it was announced on Facebook that a new/different piano (Photo Below)
had replaced the old one in the Petoskey tunnel.

20 August 2024

Photos Below: By 2 October 2024 the tunnel's piano had been incorporated into the new tunnel mural that had been completed. Click HERE to access the "Murals" web page on this same website, photos, and a slideshow, of the progression of the painting of the gorgeous mural on the tunnel walls and ceiling.