Log Cabin Day

On Sunday, June 29, 2008, between 11:00 am & 5:00 pm, the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society will celebrate its 10th annual Log Cabin Day, in accordance with the statewide Log Cabin day event, at the Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse Park at the end of M-37. The Hessler Log Cabin will be open this one day only for tours. The Old Mission Lighthouse will be open for tours of the tower for a cost of $5.00 per person or $15.00 per family of four. Lunch and snacks will be available for purchase from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Visitors to the Log Cabin Day celebration will be able to observe historical demonstrations: spinning, weaving, quilting, furniture making, broom making and a tinsmith. As well as hear multiple musical groups perform, listen to a Civil War poet, view the medicine of a Civil War nurse, play children’s games of the period and join in while Peninsula Community Library staff read children’s stories. A foghorn demonstration will be presented by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse along with gift shop items available for sale. A harmonica master class will be presented at 1:00 pm. View the Gracie L, a replica of a Great Lakes schooner. Come and join us for the day. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Summer Camp Program

The 2008 summer program will begin Monday June 16th and run for 10 weeks, ending on August 21st. Children ages 4 - 7 will attend on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and childres ages 8 - 13 will attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Click here for the 2008 program flyer

Click here for the 2008 Tennis flyer


Click here to view dog regulation through the Grand Traverse County Animal Control Ordinance

Bowers Harbor Park

This facility is the major park for recreation programming. The ball fields, soccer and other youth and adult activities are being used by a rapidly increasing number of people. A play scape was built with donations and volunteers.

Facilities include:

• Tennis courts
• Volleyball court
• Softball field
• Baseball field
• Soccer fields
• Playground activities
• Picnic pavilions, grills, tables
• Handicapped toilets
• Parking area
• Walking path

Haserot Park

The only improved public beach access on the Old Mission Peninsula is located at Old Mission Harbor. The Township boat launch facility is actively used. The current site is quite limited for boat launch parking, beach users and playground users for residents and increasing numbers of tourists; however, recently-acquired land across the street has created more parking space. The use of Haserot Beach is expanding rapidly, since it is the only public access to East Bay except for the Lighthouse Park at the end of the Peninsula.

Facilities include:

• Playground equipment
• Boat launch
• Handicapped toilet
• Swimming area
• Parking area
• Basketbal court
• Storage building

Archie Roadside Park

Archie Park is a roadside park on M-37, near Gray and Bluff Roads. There are no Department of Transportation roadside parks, and the Township Park is used by a variety of people. The Department of Transportation employees use the area for temporary storage of equipment and as a place for eating lunch. Bicyclists use the park as a parking lot and staging area for tours of Old Mission Peninsula. As traffic increases, additional use is anticipated for this small park. It is also the only public access to east Bay south of Old Mission except for the DNR Launch Site at East Shore Road and M-37.

Facilities include:

• Pedestrian water access
• Vault toilet - Rented
• Parking area
• Hand water pump

Lighthouse Park

Because of its location at the end of the Peninsula and the end of M-37, and the historic site for the Lighthouse, this park is receiving an annual increase in users. The only park of sufficient size to accommodate skiing and trails, as well as the historic buildings and Lighthouse, make it attractive as a year-round facility. There is a need to maintain and improve the trails, as well as improve and increase parking. Because of the substantial use of the beach area, erosion is occurring along the roadway, and action is needed to reduce the automobile access to the beach area.

Facilities include:

• Cross-Country ski trails
• Handicapped beach access
• Historic lighthouse
• Historic log home building
• Handicapped toilet
• Swimming area
• Parking lots

Cultural Center/Historic Church

This small historical site has recently been discovered by the public since the Park Board installed historic documents and improved the historic story of the area. There is a need to accommodate the additional use that this site is receiving.

• Historic church
• Parking area

Old Mission Point Park

The Township has acquired a lease of the Old Mission Point Park, along with the help of the Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The Township is currently developing the park as a passive recreation area. There is a need for: trails; erosion control measures; reforestation of open areas; scenic overlook site development; beach access stairs; picnic shelter/pavilion; and a drinking water supply.

• Toilet, Ridgewood parking lot
• Brinkman Road parking
• Trails