Memorial Park

Located behind Williams Bay Chrysler, Memorial Park is a 30-acre parcel of land reaching from South Street to Grace Road. The Memorial Park Committee work with the township board to continue to improve the park.Memorial Park is used for class reunions, weddings, family gatherings, ball games and 4-H soccer, and many, many other gatherings. To schedule the park, please contact Eric Fernelius at 231-642-7720. We ask that you schedule large gatherings to assure that the park will not be overbooked.

 

History of Benzonia Township Memorial Park

In 1956 a local landowner started the formation of Benzonia Township park by selling 20 acres of land a great discount to Benzonia High School for a football – baseball field with the provision that it would always be used for public use.

 

In 1979 the Benzie Central High School created new fields on Homestead Road and followed the provision by selling the 20 acres of football and baseball fields to Benzie County for $1.00. In 1980 a county committee was formed and representatives of field users were incorporated into a County Recreation Committee.  The committee was Richard Ide, Chairman, from the men’s Slo-Pitch and Gloria Walterhouse from women’s Slo-Pitch. Other committee members represented County Little League, High School and a Benzie County Board member.

 

In 1980 the Benzie County Board approved the enlargement and development of now a 30 acre parcel. (The committee had purchased another 10 acres from Harold Ridout) using the same provision of public use.

From 1980 to 1989 the volunteer committee had developed a full scale park with four ball fields – one lighted and soccer area. All this was accomplished by volunteer labor, donations, and grants that were available. The Benzie County Board of Commissioners recognized that the county could not continue to maintain that area, so in keeping with the provision, Benzonia Township stepped forward and accepted the park and all maintenance and development responsibilities.

 

Since 1989 the area has progressed into the very well developed and fully used Township Park that you’ll see today. This includes a playground area, pavilion, picnic area, enlarging the soccer area, restrooms and a volleyball area. There have been over $100,000.00 in improvements at no direct cost to the township on or to tax payers.

 

There have also been several Eagle Scout Projects completed at our park. They include the picnic tables, the entry garden area and the storage shed used for equipment for soccer and little leagues.

 

The park is kept in beautiful condition for all seasons. The township retains a full time maintenance person for the nine months active season. The township has kept the volunteer committee intact and is proud to have a non-fee township park open to all people wishing to use it.

 

If you have a large group wishing to use the park, please call our maintenance personal to schedule it.

 

Click on any of the pictures below for a larger view.

Township Cemetery

The Benzonia Cemetery is located on Love Road behind Shop ‘N Save. Gates are open from Mid April thru December each year. Cemetery Sexton Eric Fernelius is available at 231-642-7720 to arrange for a cemetery lot, to schedule a burial or with general questions.  Here is a copy of the cemetery ordinance.