Name/Title
River Bluff ParkEntry/Object ID
2022.88.32Description
Black and white map of River Bluff Park. Map extent covers park between the Kalamazoo River and I-96. Features on map include natural area, amenities, parking lot, and neighboring roads. Map was provided by the Saugatuck Township Recreation Commission. On the back of the map is a description of the flora and fauna of the park. Map is printed on light blue paper.Context
This 27 acre site on the Kalamazoo River is accessed at Old Allegan Road.Collection
MapsCataloged By
Aiello, FrankAcquisition
Accession
2022.88Acquisition Method
Found in CollectionLexicon
Search Terms
recreation, developmentLocation
Drawer
Flat Files drawer 11 Local mapsCondition
Overall Condition
Very GoodRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Saugatuck Township Park and Recreation CommissionGeneral Notes
Note
Text written by Kit Lane for the 2009 Summertime exhibit:
About 1971 citizens interested in parks found out that the highway department, had a 27-acre
piece of riverfront which was leftover. They met and asked the township board to set up a
township park commission. The board acquiesced on the condition that seven members of the
group would accept appointment to the first park commission.” The newly-minted body applied
for a grant to cover the design of River Bluff Park, and got a one-year millage on the ballot to
cover the matching funds. They also built two other small parks and used federal revenue
sharing funds to hire a caretaker and a recreation director. Saugatuck Township Park
Commissioner was the first political office held by Patty Birkholz of Saugatuck Township, who,
later served in the state legislature for 14 years, the maximum time allowable. As State Senator
she was the first woman elected president pro-tem of the Michigan Senate.Create Date
March 14, 2023Update Date
April 1, 2024
