reimagined
The Future of Alpena's Beautiful Mich-e-ke-wis Park & Beach
For almost a decade, I grew up just a block away from Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park. As a child, my two siblings and I would walk down our dirt road, towels and inflatables in tow, to enjoy many summer days on the beach of Mich-E-Ke-Wis. Having moved from Detroit, it was a dream to be able walk 5 minutes to enjoy the cool waters of Lake Huron on those hot summer days. Mich-E-Ki-Wis was the epitome of “sanctuary” to me in those days, with it's long open beach, playground, and beautiful Willow trees. Even when the seasons changed, it has always been a wonderful space to visit. In the fall, you can see some of the best views of the lake before a storm, watching the waves wash angrily toward shore as the clouds billow above the open water. In the winter, I have often visited the park, trudging through the snow and watching the ice form over the water, and on a full-moon night, the light shines through the weeping willows and casts some of the most beautiful shadows over the glistening snow. In the Spring, I've been lucky enough to catch hundreds of spawning fish in the shallow waters. The next day I went back, and they had all left. Though the beach has certainly changed over the past 15 years, those experiences will stick with me until I die. I hope that I have the chance to revisit the park many more times throughout my life to discover other hidden treasures, and that children and adults for generations to come may be able to do the same.
After hearing about the recent proposal to convert Mich-E-Ki-Wis into an RV park, I felt like my perspective was one worth sharing with those involved in the proposal, as well as the public. While it is true that Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park is a valuable, yet underutilized part of Alpena, I believe there are other better uses for the park, even ones that could still have the potential to generate revenue. Though much has been discussed about the viability of an RV park in this space, I want to focus less on that, and more on potential alternatives. This web page is dedicated to illustrating just some ideas of what Mich-E-Ke-Wis could become. I believe this beautiful park does deserve some attention after many years of neglect, but I also believe we would be wise to highlight the natural beauty inherent within.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
EXPANDING ON WHAT'S ALREADY THERE
Alpena is branding itself as the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, as a place where nature's beauty can be found throughout the city and region. As I stated before, Mich-E-Ke-Wis is a perfect example of the inherent beauty of the region. An RV park in this location would not only keep this valuable space from the general public's enjoyment, but would also mask some of the best waterfront views in the city.
​
I believe there are 3 main aspects that should be addressed when revitalizing Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park:
​
1. Beautification
2. Accessibility
3. Public Exposure/Activities
​
Though Mich-E-Ke-Wis is located in town near some of the most popular shopping destinations, it is still underutilized? Why is this the case, and what can be done to change the situation? Firstly, I think the city has done a wonderful job with Bay View Park, Island Park, and Starlight Beach, which all see quite a bit more traffic that Mich-E-Ke-Wis. However, in focusing on Starlight Beach, I think the city has somewhat neglected Mich-E-Ke-Wis, and has severely underestimated it's potential. To be frank, Mich-E-Ke-Wis hasn't improved much since I was a 12 year old boy, almost 20 years ago. The playground has stayed more or less the same, and much of the sandy beach we used to sunbathe on has overgrown into wetlands. The parking lot and drive through the park are dirt and gravel, and are riddled with pot holes. What used to be a popular attraction in the winter -- the outdoor ice rink -- has been discontinued, and so I think many people tend to forget the park is there, or if they remember, might rather go to Starlight or another park more accommodating, more inviting. So what can be done about this?
​
As I stated, I think Mich-E-Ke-Wis has a lot to offer. The problem is that we are not currently highlighting it's natural beauty. This is where some intelligent (and artistic) landscape architecture can help immensely. Some of the unique features of Mich-E-Ke-Wis are the Weeping Willows, the long beach, it's wide expansive view of the lake, and it's view of Grass Island in the distance. Even the recent overgrowth, if looked at in a positive light, can be a feature, rather than a sign of neglect.
​
So how do we emphasize these features? Before I explain my ideas, take a look at this visual aid I've put together, below. I am by no means proficient in landscape design, and therefore none of what you see is to scale. It is simply a conceptual illustration, and serves merely to assist in better understanding the ideas I'm about to discuss. I've taken an aerial view of Mich-E-Ke-Wis Park, and added some VERY rough sketches.
BOARDWALK & PIER
Probably one of the first things you noticed in the above illustration is the addition of a boardwalk and pier. I believe the park could be improved immensely if a boardwalk was constructed between the park and the beach, that spanned the length of the park from it's north end to it's south end. This boardwalk could have raised beds built in, with flowers, native grasses and evergreens. It could also have built-in bench seating throughout it's length. This one change would allow the entire length of the beach to be accessible to the elderly and those who rely on wheelchairs to get around. Currently, it's near impossible for anyone in a wheelchair to move around the park or to enjoy the beach. I think the north end of the beach could be combed and made sandy again, so that adults and children could comfortably walk barefoot on the beach, and it would be more inviting for swimmers and sunbathers alike. This would also bring more beach activities to the park. Mich-E-Ke-Wis was once known as "the sandy beach", and the sandbars still reach far out into the lake, making it very shallow, perfect for children and elderly, as well as everyone else.
​
As you probably know, the south end of the beach is very well grown over with cattails and other wetland foliage. In fact it's quite beautiful, and this has resulted in some newly formed habitats for birds and other animals. I think it would be wonderful to build a pier out into the water (much like the Blair Street pier, but perhaps larger), connected to the boardwalk, so that the public, including those with physical disabilities, could actually be on the water. This would give them a great view of the wildlife that has sprung up along the shoreline, without being intrusive. Educational signage could also be erected along the way, illustrating the various plant and bird species one might see throughout the year. A pier would also give an excellent view of Grass Island, and could be built with canoe/kayak docks for those that wanted to venture out further. This would enable the public access to the water by way of the pier, where it would otherwise be difficult because of the overgrowth. I know from my experiences swimming on the beach that it stays shallow for quite a distance before it finally gets deep, so the construction of the pier should not be very difficult. If costs allow, it would also be great to have a second story at the end of the pier for even better views. This could be covered for shade, and for temporary shelter from the frequent, though often short in duration, rain showers we experience in the summer.
​
Below are some pictures I've gathered off the internet, for illustrative and inspirational purposes only. Some are of boardwalks, some are examples of the type of seating I described, etc. I'll be including these throughout the page as illustrative guides, and examples of what other cities and towns have done. These images do not belong to me, and I claim no copyright over them. They are for educational purposes only.
BEAUTIFICATION, SEATING, FIRE PITS, AND OTHER AMENITIES
I believe the park could generally be made better by beautification. That could include, but is not limited to, planting flowers, bushes, or more trees (either in the soil, or in raised beds of some kind), adding intriguing installation art, and building modern yet ecologically-inspired gathering spots (benches, hammocks, platforms, swings, etc) that fit into the landscape. It is amazing how much little touches like these draw people in. A pavilion could be built in the barely-used horse-shoe area that is currently fenced in. Modern Bathrooms and drinking fountains could be added, which would add to the park's amenities. Some of the bench seating on the boardwalk could be affixed with canopies that offer shade, and could potentially be made with photovoltaic cells, and therefore double as a solar charger for various devices. The beach could even potentially have a few stone or concrete (perhaps recessed) fire pits with built in bench seating, so residents and visitors could roast marshmallows, cook, or just socialize around the fire. See the photos below for some examples.
PLAYGROUND & FITNESS
The children's playground could definitely be re-imagined. There is space enough to build something totally unique, so that parents that are visiting from out of town will remember it and want to come back every year (and maybe even permanently some day.) I can see a multilevel playground, nature-inspired, sanctuary-inspired (perhaps a ship replica, with climbing ropes and a high deck from which to look out into the beautiful bay). We have so many talented local artists and designers, and involving the community in something like this I think would give everyone a great sense of pride and accomplishment.
​
Also, this space could be utilized for outdoor public fitness stations. With Performance Locker being right next door, this would be an ideal location for something like this. Alternatively, the stations could be spread out throughout the park to combine the exercises with walking, running, or even biking. They could even be placed in various locations throughout the city on the Bi-Path, encouraging residents and visitors to stop and use them as they pass through. I think this would be a great way for Alpena to brand itself as a health-conscious city.
COMMUNITY SPACE & STREET FOOD
Moving further north, the parking lot and driveway into the park could be paved. This would virtually eliminate the pothole issue, and, again, allow those on wheelchairs to get around, as well as those on roller skates, etc. It would also make cycling and driving a much more pleasant experience. North of the current parking lot is an area which I think holds a lot of potential. The area where the old indoor ice arena used to be is now just open field. This area could be converted into an outdoor public gathering space. Multilevel, tiered (or stadium-style) seating could be built in a semicircle shape to encourage public discourse. Many activities could take place here, potentially including profitable activities -- live outdoor theatre, classes, movies, music, charity events, and more. This area would also be a great place for electric-assist bicycle rentals. Bigger cities like Ann Arbor and Chicago have implemented such bicycle sharing programs with great success. We are obviously a much smaller town, but with the tourism season population growing steadily, this would be a great way to show visitors and residents that Alpena is serious about health, and alternative green transportation. If we are sincere about our commitment to promoting and preserving natural spaces, then I think it would be wise to begin to make steps now to cement Alpena as forward-looking.
A designated space for food trucks (aka "Street Food") could also be planned, with tables, chairs, and block seating for outdoor dining, where many residents and visitors could plan to enjoy their lunch outdoors at a beautiful park rather than at their office, inside their cars, or at a stuffy indoor restaurant. These food truck spaces could be leased out by the city weekly or monthly, bringing in revenue while also supporting new businesses and a vibrant new food culture. This could also be an area for live music and festivals. Again, see some of the pictures below to get an idea of the what this might look like.
COMMUNITY GARDENS & MORE
I'm not aware as to whether or not the field in front of Fitness Locker is considered part of the park, or how much it is used for field sports like baseball or softball. However, if it isn't being used much currently, it has adequate space and sunlight to serve as an organic community garden. This garden could include a section of raised beds for those with physical disabilities that prevent them from bending over or working near the ground, and also those in wheel chairs. Residents of Alpena who may not have the land to grow their own food but have the desire to do so could rent out a plot or half plot for the season for a predetermined fee. This would bring the community together in a positive way, and also create revenue. There is potential also for adult and student gardening classes, and perhaps even local restaurants could get involved in producing locally-grown, organic produce for their menus.
Finally, tiered seating could be built around the current Volleyball court for spectators. This would encourage more participation in the sport, and community involvement in the games. As Alpena has one of the largest volleyball leagues in Michigan, we should embrace this and make Mich-E-Ke-Wis a comfortable and inviting place to support the teams. In this scenario, the volleyball teams, spectators, and the nearby food trucks would mutually benefit from each other.
​
Perhaps there could be a calm open structure for yoga, pilates, and meditation. Perhaps a small rock climbing wall could be built.
​
There is adequate space for these ideas, and more.
​
​
IN CONCLUSION
The ideas presented here are of course, only suggestions. Many of the photos posted here may not be feasible in Alpena -- and that's fine. My main point is that there are many solutions to help make Mich-E-Ki-Wis a popular destination, for residents and tourists alike. We want to make it unique to the area, but why not take some inspiration from the world around us? I believe these and other ideas would be better for our community and economy in the long term than an RV Park.
It is my view that Mich-E-Ke-Wis is a treasure for our community. It is the epitome of sanctuary -- a place to go to heal and reflect, and it could be that and more. It could and should be a community gathering place that we're all proud to share with each other, and with those who are just passing through. It is a beautiful space, and to ignore that would indeed be a great loss for Alpena.
​
Thank you for your time. If you like these ideas and want to get involved or want to chat about any other ideas, feel free to shoot me an email by clicking contact me below.
