Parks & Recreation Five Year Recreation Plan ... - City of Marquette

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update 2011
City of Marquette
during a trip along the south shore of Lake Superior in 1669. Returning to his mission at St.
Ignace after visiting Native Americans in the Illinois country in 1675, he fell ill and died at age 38
along the Lake Michigan shoreline. In 1850, a year after its founding, the village of New
Worcester was renamed Marquette in honor of the priest.
Downtown Pocket Park
Located on Washington Street in downtown Marquette, the Pocket Park is a small grassy area
nestled between buildings that provides a connection between Washington Street and the
municipal parking ramp. The former site of a commercial building itself, the space contains three
aluminum park benches, lighting, brick paved walkways, way-finding signage, and a flagpole.
The park is accessible by elevator from the municipal parking ramp.
Rosewood Pedestrian Connector Park
A lovely pocket park has been constructed on the former site of a rail trestle providing a
connection between Front Street and the Lakeshore. This space includes a walkway, seating
areas, a scenic harbor overlook and landscaping.
Spring Street Park
Located near the Snowberry Heights senior housing complex on Spring Street, the
approximately three acre Spring Street Park currently consists of a large grassy open space
with concrete walks meandering the location.
LaBonte Park
Located on Lakeshore Boulevard just south of the Dead River, the small (50 x 100 feet)
greenspace was built in the 1930‘s by WPA labor under Franklin D. Roosevelt‘s New Deal.
Mainly used as a wayside for walkers to and from the Island, the area features an interesting
rock outcrop formation, metal benches, and a small pump-driven waterfall.
Linear Parks
Shared-use Paths
Shared-use paths have become increasingly popular. The City of Marquette currently maintains
a total of 17 miles of Shared-Use Paths.
Much of the Holly S. Greer Shoreline Bike Path, starting where it enters the City limits from the
south, serves as part of the North Country National Scenic Trail which links the Atlantic
seaboard with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in North Dakota. In addition to
bicyclists, the shared-use path is used extensively by walkers, joggers, and inline skating
enthusiasts.
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