Seated, from left: John Quinn, Bill Marrison, Norm Dwyer. Standing: Jennifer Strahan, Doug Sarto, Ray Hanson, and John Bottrell
Pere Marquette Township has an elected Park Commission comprised of seven members. These folks meet monthly, April through October and work hard in-between meetings managing our park properties. The Park Commission sets rates at Buttersville Campground, makes decisions about the buildings and grounds at all the Township parks, monitors water quality, schedules and oversees improvements, sets policies at Township parks, and does a whole bunch of other things to ensure that the Pere Marquette Township parks are the best of the best!
Meetings are held monthly, April through October on the third Tuesday of the month, and are open to the public. The Park Commission meets at the Township offices, and meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Please send any suggestions for the Parks or for this Parks Section of the website to our Park Commission in care of the Townhall (address above), or click here to email.
Click the title links below for more information on each of our wonderful Township parks!
~~~~~~
Buttersville Park at 991 S. Lakeshore Drive, is an 18.5 acre, state-licensed campground. Fresh water is available at the campground. Flush toilets and a shower facility are also part of the park’s services. All campsites have electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Click the title to see more photos of Buttersville Park, a map of the campground, and to get more information.
Buttersville's camping and picnic facilities are on the bluffs overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan
===============================
Father Marquette's Shrine is a special historic site in the Township. The Father Marquette ("Pere Marquette" in French) Memorial is located on the Buttersville Peninsula (South Lakeshore Drive), just north of Buttersville Park Campground. It memorializes the spot where French Jesuit explorer Father Jacques Marquette died in 1675. The 2.4-acre site includes about 400 feet of frontage on Pere Marquette Lake and a boat launch facility. The Pere Marquette Shrine property provides direct lake access to Pere Marquette Lake and access to Lake Michigan via the Pere Marquette Lake harbor channel.
===============================
Memorial Tree Park is an all-season park that includes an athletic field, a large and well-equipped playground, and picnic areas. Memorial Tree is a day-use park; no overnight use is permitted. This 27 acre facility is located north of Bryant Road and west of Jebavy Drive along the Lincoln River -- at the northern end of the Township. It is open to foot traffic and snowmobiles even after the vehicle gate is closed for the winter, generally from November until May. Groups or individuals may reserve the shelter building for a small fee. Please click on the paragraph title to see photos or to get more information.
===============================
Sutton’s Landing Park is a 34-acre parcel maintained by the Township Parks Commission. It is located on Iris Road, just around the corner from the Township offices. Sutton’s Landing Park is open for daytime use the year-round, including the driveway and parking areas. The shelter building may be reserved. For more information about Sutton’s Landing Park, click on the title to this paragraph.
===============================
Mason County Picnic Area (and Disc Golf Park!) located in Pere Marquette Township is a project of the Mason County Parks Commission. It's located in the southern part of the Township off Chauvez Road. All you interested Disc-Golfers can click here to learn a little about the course. Also located off Chauvez Road is the Mason County Campground.
===============================
The Mason County Historical Society is proud to host Historic White Pine Village here in Pere Marquette Township. This is an historic community of over thirty restored buildings on 23 acres, dedicated to preserving and presenting Mason County’s history. The Village is located on South Lakeshore Drive on the Buttersville Peninsula.
The buildings contain thousands of artifacts that help interpret their setting in the history of the area. Small-town Michigan life in the late 1800’s and beyond is shown in such historic buildings as the blacksmith’s shop, clock museum, chapel, and old-fashioned ice cream parlor. A trapper’s cabin and restored 1800’s farmhouse are among the many other attractions. For more information, contact White Pine Village at 231/843-4808, e-mail: info@historicwhitepinevillage.org. Or visit the White Pine Village Website .