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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Master Land Use Plan
The City of Muskegon Parks and Recreation Maintains eligibility for recreational
System serves a potential user population of grant funding programs administered by
nearly 41,000 City Residents. This figure the Recreation Services Division of the
grows considerably when the residents Michigan Department of Natural
from the surrounding metropolitan areas are Resources.
included in the number of people who use
the City's facilities on a routine basis. For The long range goals adopted to guide the
all practical purposes, the system serves a City in the development of the City wide
potential user population in excess of Parks and Recreation System described in
100,000 people. the 1993 Leisure Services Master Plan, are
summarized in Table 7.1.
The City's Department of Leisure Services
prepared a Leisure Services Master Plan The 1993 Leisure Services Master Plan and
which was approved by the City on-going Leisure Services Department
Commission in 1993. The plan serves three planning efforts are essential to the City's
broad purposes: ability to accommodate the diverse
recreational needs and desires of City and
Provides a rational basis for metropolitan residents.
programming maintenance and
improvement programs for the parks, The 1993 Leisure Services Master Plan
recreational, and community facilities. presents an inventory of park and
recreational facilities, provides a detailed
Establishes long-range goals for the description of the condition of each facility,
Department's program, service and sets forth specific action plans for a
acquisition, facility acquisition, and variety of improvement and development
improvements projects. projects. The Plan indicates retention of all
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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Master Land Use Plan
existing facilities, as well as a continued Lakeshore). Table 7.2 lists the twenty
emphasis regarding the recreational aspects capital improvement projects presented in
of the Muskegon Lakeshore. (The the 1993 Muskegon Leisure Services Master
Muskegon Downtown/ Lakeshore Plan. These capital improvements have
Redevelopment Plan also emphasizes the been completed or are currently in
recreational aspects of the Muskegon progress.
1. Maintain and improve the quality of programs, facilities, and parks for benefit and
enjoyment of City residents.
Provide recreational facilities and activities which contribute to neighborhood
stability.
Provide City parks to enhance and contribute to the urban living environment.
Provide accessible, enriching recreational opportunities and experiences for all
citizens regardless of race, sex, age, color, religion, handicap, national origin or
ancestry.
Advocate the preservation of natural environmental resources.
Promote good stewardship of park lands.
Provide a broad range of waterfront recreational facilities.
Maximize the use of private and public recreational facilities.
Provide for a safe environment for park users.
2. Offer recreation programs and facilities which promote tourism.
Increase and promote the development of public/private waterfront recreational
facilities.
Preserve and promote the historical and cultural heritage of the City.
Preserve the natural resources of the City of present and future generations.
Promote development of public/private regional recreational facilities/activities.
Market the City Leisure Services facilities to attract tourists.
Table 7.1 Muskegon Leisure Services Master Plan 1993
Summary of Goals
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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Master Land Use Plan
Muskegon Lake Frontage (Muskegon Lakeshore Trail)
Smith-Ryerson (enlarge gymnasium, nature trails, enlarge parking area)
Seyferth Park (new restroom/shelter building, playground equipment, pave parking area,
irrigation system, trim trees)
Hackley Park (paving, trees)
Walker Arena
Beachwood (pave parking lot, playground equipment, irrigation system, restroom/shelter
building)
Pere Marquette Park (bike/walkways - part of Muskegon Lakeshore Trail)
Bronson (Kruse) Park (parking, dune walkways, campgrounds)
Fisherman's Landing (paving, landscaping)
Hartshorn Marina (small boat basin docks, shoreline protection, paving)
Case Hammond Golf Course (tree removal, finish new nine)
Beukema (playground equipment, pave parking)
Marsh Field (concession/maintenance building, pave parking, roof grandstands)
McCrea (pave parking, playground equipment)
Campbell Playfield (playground equipment, irrigation system)
Sheldon (sidewalks, irrigation, playground equipment, pave parking)
Reese (pave parking, playground equipment, resurface courts, new restroom/maintenance
building, new restroom/shelter building)
McGraft (pave parking, playground equipment, irrigation, new picnic shelter)
Causeway - Veteran's Park (light fountain)
Fisheries Interpretive Center (facilities construction)
Table 7.2 List of Capital Improvements from 1993 Muskegon Leisure
Service Master Plan
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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
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and basketball; playgrounds; softball,
CITY PARK AND RECREATIONAL baseball, and football league play; and a
F variety of other organized sporting
ACILITIES activities.
The City owns more than 800 acres of Major Parks
parkland and open space. All but 214 acres
(the municipal golf course) are located in Major parks serve the City, region, and
the City limits. Improved and natural park outlying areas. Major parks include
facilities serve a variety of functions, and Fisherman's Landing (sportfishing/ tourism
meet a variety of recreational needs within industry), McGraft Park (large improved and
City and regional population groups. An natural areas), Pere Marquette Park
overview of park and recreational facilities (northernmost point along a 2.5 mile long
is as follows: City owned segment of Lake Michigan
shoreline), Bronson Park (dune system,
Tot Lots sandy beach, picnic facilities).
Special Use Facilities
Tot lots are stand-alone facilities that serve Special use facilities typically provide
the neighborhoods in which they are unique or unusual recreational
located. Aamodt Park and the Ninth Street opportunities. These facilities include the
Tot Lot serve the Froebel and Nelson Chase Hammond Golf Course (18 holes,
neighborhoods, respectively. driving range, club house and cross country
ski trails), Hackley Park (formal central City
Playgrounds park dedicated in 1890, on National and
State historic registers, strong, attractive,
Playgrounds are found at elementary historic element), the Indian Cemetery (the
schools and at the City's larger park oldest known Indian cemetery in the area,
facilities. circa 1800s), L.C. Walker
Arena/Convention Center (sporting and
Neighborhood Parks cultural events, public/private skating,
banquets, flea markets and meetings),
Sheldon, Seyferth, and Beachwood Parks Hartshorn Marina (only municipal marina
provide passive and active recreation on Muskegon Lake), Heritage Landing (a
opportunities to adjoining neighborhoods. multi facility-use and home of the Port City
Playfields Princess), the Kruse Park observation deck,
and Jaycee's Launch Ramp (heavily used
Playfields are the backbone of the City's public launch ramp on west end of
parks system. Beukema, Smith-Ryerson, Muskegon Lake).
Reese, McCrea, Marsh, and Campbell
playfields provide facilities for intensive, Open Space Parkland
active recreational uses including tennis
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Master Land Use Plan
Open Space Parkland is represented by Schools have gymnasiums and indoor
Veteran's Memorial Park (lagoon, swimming pools.
memorials and fountain), Richards Park,
Ryerson Creek Open Space (wooded ravine Senior High School
along length of creek), Muskegon Lakeshore
Open Space (wooded open space in Muskegon Senior High School has excellent
residential area), Lake Michigan Park gymnasium and swimming pool facilities.
shoreline dune between Pere Marquette Hackley Stadium is an excellent 6,500 seat
and Bronson Parks, and Seaway Drive venue for football, track, and field events.
(greenspace along entryway to City). These facilities primarily serve the needs of
the City's high school population, and
Public School Recreational Facilities secondly are used in conjunction with
Community Development Block Grant
All schools in the Muskegon Public School funded recreational programs. The football
District provide outdoor recreational field is also used for Peewee Football
facilities. Because schools are distributed League play.
throughout the City, their recreational
facilities function as local neighborhood Non-District/Private School
playgrounds used by school age children in Recreational Facilities
surrounding neighborhoods.
The Greater Muskegon Catholic Schools,
The City and School District have a West Michigan Christian Schools,
reciprocal use agreement encompassing Muskegon Intermediate School System, and
park and recreational facilities owned or Muskegon Community College provide
operated by each entity, excluding the L.C. additional facilities. An overview of these
Walker Arena and Annex, and the Senior facilities is as follows:
High School gymnasium and swimming
pool. An overview of school district Catholic Central High School and St.
facilities is as follows: Michael Elementary School
Elementary Schools Catholic Central High School has a football
field; track and field facilities; baseball and
These school facilities include playgrounds softball diamonds; and an open area for
typically providing a variety of active play other field games. St. Michael Elementary
areas, playground equipment, basketball School has a playground and open space
courts, and softball diamonds. Tennis area for field games. These facilities
courts are located only at Craig School. primarily serve school population groups,
and are not heavily used by the City's
Junior High Schools general population, or by residents of
surrounding neighborhoods.
Steel (eastern portion of City) and Bunker
(western portion of City) Junior High West Michigan Christian High School
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Master Land Use Plan
West Michigan Christian High
School provides a comprehensive
recreational complex which includes
tennis courts; basketball courts;
soccer and open space playfields;
baseball and softball diamonds;
track and field facilities; and
playgrounds. These facilities receive
a fair amount of use by residents of
the surrounding neighborhoods.
Intermediate School District Wesley
Street School
The Intermediate School District Wesley
Street School provides a playground and an Cultural facilities include the Frauenthal
open space area that are not heavily used Center for the Performing Arts and
by residents in the surrounding Beardsley Theater (owned by the
neighborhood. Community Foundation for Muskegon
County) providing 1,800 and 200 seat
Muskegon Community College venues for concert and stage productions.
The Muskegon County Museum, Muskegon
Muskegon Community College provides Museum of Art, and Hackley Public Library
numerous recreational opportunities to provide cultural activities beyond those
surrounding neighborhoods, and the City as typically found in a city the size of
a whole. Facilities include lighted tennis Muskegon.
and basketball courts; ball fields; a soccer
field; an open space area for field games; The Victorian Era Hackley-Hume Home
and a nature trail. These high-quality National Register properties and other
facilities are underutilized by neighborhood nearby properties are open to the public
residents and the general population. and play a central role in the City's overall
historic preservation efforts.
Other Facilities Special Facilities
The City's Leisure Services plan lists
numerous public, semi-public, and private The City provides a limited number of
facilities that provide City, neighboring facilities geared toward the handicapped or
community, and region-wide residents with elderly. Senior citizens use the community
a variety of recreational and cultural buildings at McGraft and Smith-Ryerson
facilities. Golf courses (two), miniature golf parks, and the shuffleboard complex at
courses (three), bowling alleys (two), McGraft Park.
marinas, and state and county campgrounds
serve active recreational needs. Barrier free facilities are provided at
Fisherman's Landing (wheelchair lift at boat
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Master Land Use Plan
launch), Bronson Park (Lake Michigan
access), and Heritage Landing (pathways, Heritage Landing
play structure, Muskegon Lake overlook,
fishing area, and paved parking). Heritage Landing is a 19 acre mixed-use
Additional and augmented barrier free recreational facility located on the
facilities will be included in future Muskegon Lake waterfront immediately
recreational and park development and west of the YFCA. The facility includes a
redevelopment efforts. playground (large, small scale, and barrier
free play structures); barrier free waterfront
In-Process & Proposed Recreational and access and fishing areas; a multi-use
Park Facilities pavilion/amphitheater; and restroom
facilities. Heritage landing is the site of a
Land along the Muskegon Lake shoreline variety of pubic festivals and outdoor
formerly devoted to industrial land uses concerts.
presents a range of opportunities for
waterfront residential, commercial, and Muskegon Lakeshore Trail
recreational development. The Muskegon
Downtown/Lakeshore Redevelopment Plan The 1990 Muskegon Lakeshore Trail Master
also emphasizes the recreational aspects of Plan presents a detailed examination of the
the Muskegon Lakeshore. That document feasibility and costs associated with
calls for a future recreational emphasis development of a proposed 14.1 mile non-
along portions of the shoreline to motorized multi-use trailway. The
compliment Heritage Landing, existing proposed trailway will showcase the
marina development, and proposed Muskegon shoreline by providing access to
projects such as the Lakeshore Aquarium waterfront and shoreline areas currently
and relocation of the Silversides to a inaccessible to large segments of the
downtown site. An overview of population, including many elderly and
recreational and park facilities under or handicapped persons.
proposed for development include the
following: The trail will highlight unique shoreline and
waterfront attributes, provide new
Terrace Point recreational opportunities, and foster
renewed interest in, and awareness of, the
Located on the Muskegon Lake waterfront diversity of environmental features along
immediately north of downtown, Terrace the City's Muskegon Lake and Lake
Point is being developed and maintained by Michigan shorelines. The trail will also
the SPX Corporation. Terrace Point is home provide a safe means of access from
to the SPX Corporate Headquarters, a residential neighborhoods to recreational
dockominium facility, a clubhouse, and a facilities, businesses and employment
high quality restaurant. A 150 foot wide centers. The Lakeshore Trail will provide
passive use easement provides public linkages to adjoining community and state
access to the waterfront. Building sites are trail systems.
available for additional development.
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Consumers Power Property COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Consumers Power Company owns 323
acres of land (297 acres within Muskegon City Hall
City limits) at the northeasterly end of
Muskegon Lake. The company's electrical The City of Muskegon City Hall is located
generation facility (coal storage, conveyor at 933 Terrace Street at the intersection of
systems, transmission towers, and parking Terrace and Muskegon Avenue. The
areas) occupies 40 acres of land. The building lies adjacent to the Muskegon
remaining 283 acres (portions of which County Building (across Terrace).
were at one time used for fly ash disposal) Collectively, the two structures are a major
are undeveloped. landmark in the City's downtown.
The undeveloped acreage is traversed by The present facility was opened in 1970,
tributaries of the Muskegon River, and and contains the majority of administrative
includes high-quality wetlands. This offices and meeting facilities used by
undeveloped acreage exhibits elected and appointed officials. It houses
environmental features that present a the offices of the City Manager, City Clerk,
variety of recreational and other Treasurer, Water Department, Finance
developmental opportunities. Department, Assessor, Building Inspection
Department, Planning and Community
West Michigan Steel Foundry Property Development Offices, Leisure Services,
Engineering, and Police Department.
This property, located adjacent to Hartshorn Meetings and public hearings of the City
Marina, offers additional waterfront Commission, City Planning Commission,
recreational opportunities. The City has Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic District
leased a small portion of the property, Commission, and like bodies are normally
called Foundry Park, for development of an conducted at City Hall.
on-shore fishing pier. The northern portion
of the property may be developed for other The building is being renovated to enhance
waterfront recreational uses. internal efficiency to better meet staff and
public needs. Small off-street parking areas
Grand Trunk Property are located immediately adjacent to the
building, adjacent to the Police Department
This property, located at the foot of and between City Hall and the Fire
McCracken on Lakeshore Drive, offers great Department.
potential for waterfront recreational
development. The property includes a City- Employee parking is provided at a more
owned boat launch ramp and parking area. distant lot, across Apple Avenue. Public
The State of Michigan has acquired a spaces within close proximity to the
portion of this property for possible building are limited. As such, it is
additional development. recommended the overall site plan be
analyzed for potential redevelopment
and/or reconfiguration to determine new
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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Master Land Use Plan
parking opportunities. Also, opportunity for Lake Michigan where water intake is
the public to use the current employee accomplished and the facility filters and
parking area for overflow parking should be treats the water prior to distribution
explored. throughout the community. The plant
building was recently upgraded.
Police Department
Libraries
The Police Department is located within the
City Hall structure, physically separated The City is served by two libraries. The
from other office functions by the internal Hackley Public Library, operated by the
design of the building. Muskegon Public Schools, is located at 316
W. Webster Avenue. The second library
Fire Department facility is operated by Muskegon County,
and is located at 635 Ottawa Street.
The Fire Department is headquartered at
Central Station immediately adjacent to City Schools
Hall along Terrace Street. Station No. 5,
called Marquette Station, is located in the Other community facilities include the
north-easterly portion of the City in the schools provided by the Muskegon Public
Marquette neighborhood. Mutual aide School District and the Muskegon
agreements are in effect with all Community College located in the
surrounding City and Township areas to northeast portion of the City.
provide mutual assistance in the event of a
substantial fire. Public schools include:
Other Municipal Facilities Angell School
Bluffton School
Other municipal facilities include the Bunker Middle School
Public Service Building located at 1350 E. Career/Technical Education Center
Keating which provides sewer, water, and Craig Alternative High School
general public works functions for the Even Start/Pre-Kindergarten
community. The site contains a modern Early Childhood Education Center
office structure and associated storage and Froebel Special Education Center
service facilities. Other City facilities Glenside School
include several public cemeteries, the Marquette School
Farmer's Market, and various parks and McLaughlin School
recreational facilities. Moon School
Muskegon High School
Water Filtration Plant Nelson School
Nims School
The City's water filtration plant is located Oakview School
along the Lake Michigan Shoreline adjacent Phillips School
to Pere Marquette Park. Lines extend into Steele Middle School
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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Master Land Use Plan
leaders indicated broad satisfaction with the
There are also a variety of parochial schools overall range of community facilities and
throughout the City area providing services. Of particular note were the City's
elementary and secondary education. parks and recreational facilities. Residents
expressed high satisfaction over the present
Public Facilities and Services park's system and level of maintenance.
Other public and quasi-public community Major areas of concern generally centered
facilities of note include Mercy, General, on the need for enhanced enforcement of
and Hackley Hospitals, Baker College property maintenance codes, desire for
(currently located in the downtown but additional police presence in the core
soon to relocate to a site near Muskegon downtown, and improved street
Community College), the Muskegon County maintenance. These factors have also been
Building, various private schools, and a addressed in the Downtown/Shoreline
range of public service facilities including Redevelopment Plan.
Every Woman's Place, Muskegon Rescue
Mission, Muskegon Family Center, Council A review of survey results recently
on Aging, Senior Services, Community compiled by the Muskegon Oceana
Action Against Poverty, local neighborhood Community Reinvestment Corporation for
associations, and others. several of the City's neighborhoods
indicated concurrence with the above
SUMMARY AND findings.
RECOMMENDATIONS While the City exhibits a rather strong
system of playgrounds and parks, a need
As indicated at the beginning of this exists for a neighborhood oriented
Chapter, on-going parks and recreation community center offering a wide range of
planning efforts are essential to the City's year-round indoor recreational and
ability to effectively provide for and educational opportunities. A community
accommodate diverse and changing center might incorporate game rooms,
recreational needs. The City's ability to computer labs, a gymnasium, fitness rooms,
meet these needs has (and will continue to) arts and craft workshops, playrooms, dining
reap ever increasing benefits for City and room, and a child care facility. While this
metropolitan residents over the short and type of center would cater to all age groups,
long-term. Continuing to coordinate such its major focus should be area youth.
efforts with other City and area-wide
neighborhood, business, and land use A community center should provide a sense
planning efforts is consistent with the of place to city residents - especially youth -
overall intent and purpose of this plan. and be neighborhood oriented, easily
accessible by bike or walking, and capable
Extensive interviews with local of operating year round. While a specific
Neighborhood Associations, the populace location is not been identified by this plan,
at large, and governmental and agency it is recommended the center be located in
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Park, Recreation, and Community Facilities
Master Land Use Plan
an area of low to moderate income
residents, with a relatively high youth
population. If possible, a location
somewhat central to the city (city
neighborhoods) would be most appropriate.
Community facilities are extremely
important to the well-being of the city and
its residents. Parks, playgrounds, libraries,
museums, schools, and places of worship
contribute to city residents quality. For
many residents, city facilities provide the
primary (or only) means of recreational or
other life enrichment opportunities.
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City of Muskegon 7 11