Charles Mears State Park is a public recreation area in the village of Pentwater, Oceana County, Michigan. The state park encompasses 50 acres (20 ha) on the north side of the channel that connects Lake Michigan and Pentwater Lake.[2]
| Charles Mears State Park | |
|---|---|
 Pentwater Lake Channel, the park's southern boundary | |
  Location in Michigan  Mears State Park (the United States) | |
| Location | Pentwater, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°47′00″N 86°26′26″W / 43.78333°N 86.44056°W |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Elevation | 610 feet (190 m) |
| Established | 1920[1] |
| Administered by | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Website | Official website  |
History
editMears State Park was among 13 parks established in 1920 following the creation of the Michigan State Parks Commission a year earlier.[3] The park land, which was once owned by lumber baron Charles Mears, was donated to the state by his daughter Carrie Mears.[4] The park originally comprised only 16 acres "strictly made up of lake sand."[5] In 1921, the vegetation that held the sand in place was disturbed during a grading process, resulting in a loss of sand to the winds, much to the annoyance of neighboring dwellers. To cure the man-made problem, five tons of marsh hay were "evenly distributed and disked in." A toilet and fireplaces were also constructed.[5]
Activities and amenities
editIn addition to fishing, swimming, camping, and picnicking, the park offers a one-mile (1.6 km) hiking trail that ascends the Old Baldy sand dune.[2]
References
edit- ^ "When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Mears State Park". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "Michigan DNR celebrates 100 years of state parks" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. pp. 10–11. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- ^ "Oceana County Master Plan" (PDF). Oceana County Planning Commission. April 28, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- ^ a b Albert Stoll, Jr. (ed.). "The Biennial Report of the Department of Conservation of the State of Michigan 1921–1922". p. 231. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
External links
edit- Mears State Park Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Mears State Park Map Michigan Department of Natural Resources