West MI Pike Auto Tourist Camps Commemorated

Historical Marker outside the Park Gate (photo by City of Hart)

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a news release of the Michigan DNR

Michigan Historical Commissioner Tom Truscott dedicated a Michigan Historical Marker honoring both auto tourist camps - popular with early-20th-century travelers - and Hart's John Gurney Park on Saturday, Oct. 17. Part of an ongoing effort to promote tourism in communities along the old West Michigan Pike (US-31), the marker is located near the entrance arch of the park, at 300 Griswold St. in Hart.

"John Gurney Park was one of several auto tourist camps developed along the West Michigan Pike during the 1920s, meeting the need for accommodations among a growing crowd of automobile travelers," said Michigan Historical Center Director Sandra Clark. "It's one of the many fascinating stories of Michigan's West coast heritage that the West Michigan Roadmap project is bringing to life."

The Michigan Historical Center - the former home of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), now housed in the Michigan State Housing Development Authority - began collaborating with the Michigan Beachtown Association in 2006 in an effort to boost tourism along Michigan's western shoreline. SHPO's West Michigan Roadmap project, funded in part with a federal Preserve America grant, identified tourism-related sites along the West Michigan shoreline from New Buffalo to Ludington. The historic West Michigan Pike served as the focal point for the project, which lays the foundation for a heritage route that will be developed by the Michigan Beachtown Association and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

As the automobile became the preferred way to travel in the early 20th century, there was not enough lodging to accommodate the number of travelers on the road. Camping, often on private land, became popular among those who took long trips to scenic areas and needed places to stay. To meet demand, the Michigan Tourist and Resort Association proposed that five camps be built in 1920 along the West Michigan Pike, one of the state's first improved highways. By 1923 Michigan had some 300 free auto tourist camps.

John Gurney Park was donated to the village of Hart in 1912 by a former state senator and his wife to honor their son, Lieutenant John Gurney, who had died at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba during the Spanish American War. In 1914 the Progressive Park Association erected the entrance arch as a memorial.

The Michigan Historical Marker Fund and the Michigan Beachtown Association paid for the marker. It is the second of five Michigan Historical Markers to be erected as part of the West Michigan Roadmap project. The first, honoring animator Winsor McCay, was dedicated earlier this year in Spring Lake. Additional markers to be erected include a Grand Haven marker recognizing Jewish resorts and West Michigan summer resorts, a Muskegon marker honoring Scenic Drive and Muskegon State Park, and a New Buffalo marker giving an overview of the West Michigan Pike's history.

Since the Michigan Historical Marker program began in 1955, more than 1,500 official historical markers have been erected. Traveling Through Time: A Guide to Michigan's Historical Markers contains the text and location of state markers. It is available anywhere books are sold or by calling (517) 373-1663.

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John Gurney Park - Changes in Store?

A park renovation plan has been presented to the Hart City Council for John Gurney Park. The park currently has 90 rustic campsites, but the council would like to see the park become more user friendly for local residents.

The plan also included reducing the number of sites by as much as half, adding water and sewer hookups, and paved parking.

Amenities which would be enjoyed by all park users include four baseball fields, a pavilion overlooking Hart Lake, and a community bonfire pit.
The campground currently nets approximately $40,000 annually for the city, and councilwoman Betty Root opposed reducing the number of campsites. City Manager Stan Rickard suggested that a committee meet with the consultants to further assess the plan.

from an article in the Ludington Daily News, Nov 5, 2007
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West Michigan Skateboard Parks- Quarter Pipes Need More Quarters

Ludington, Scottville and Hart all have skate parks in their plans, but these popular structures cost big bucks.

The City of Ludington hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in June of this year for its already designed skate park located at Stearns Park. The plan is ready to go, $229,000 dollars have been raised. Bids were accepted for the construction. But last week when the bids were opened, there was a $120,000 surprise, and not a good one. The actual cost will be more like $352,000. Ludington Mayor John Henderson says that this is a bump in the road, but that the skate plaza will be built. However, the kids with their boards might not be lining up in 2007 to ride. The construction committee will meet soon to discuss some options. There may be places where reasonable changes can be made to the plans.

The funds for this project have come primarily from local efforts. The Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee kicked the project off by raising $6000. Other local donations both corporate and from individuals have followed. One grant of $75,000 was received. Now, more money will have to be raised.

In Oceana County, the small city of Hart has also been dreaming of a modest skate park. The City Council matched a $5000 Tony Hawk grant on July 23, to keep the dream alive. The Tony Hawk Foundation was created by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. Hart purchased about $7000 worth of skate park equipment from the city of Saline a few years ago. These assets are gathering dust in storage. The city is waiting to hear from the skate park committee, and hopes to revitalize the plan. Their estimate of cost is about $100,000.

Scottville, Ludington's neighbor to the east, has also been dreaming of a skate park since 2005, although it has not been addressed in a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Committee recently. Mayor Leon Begue says, "We still want to do it; it's all about the money." A new playground was installed in June at McPhail Field, and the committee may now turn its fundraising efforts toward the skate park.

by Joan H. Young

See Ludington Skate Park Virtual Tour
Ludington Holds Groundbreaking for Stearns Skateboard Park
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