Parks & Recreation Committee

About Parks and Recreation

The Powell Township Parks and Recreation Committee is a volunteer committee consisting of 8 township residents. The Committee meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 P.M. — the public is always welcome. The Committee oversees the planning and care of the Township’s 3 parks, the annual Fire on the Bay fireworks display, annual July 4th Kids’ Games, annual Music in the Park Events, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Lighting of the Tree Holiday Event, and Holiday Soft Ball Games.

Parks and Recreation on Facebook

POWELL TOWNSHIP TRAILS UPDATES:

A complete and interactive map with the most current trail conditions is available at Noquemanon Trail Network. Powell Township’s trails are part of this network. Additionally, a trails traffic report is available here.

PARKS AND RECREATION IS LOOKING FOR MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteers are always welcome to help with events. You do not have to be a committee member to be a volunteer. Volunteering is another way to get to know the community.

Powell Township’s Draver Park & Trailhead Bids Update:

The Parks and Recreation Committee reviewed and chose a bid, and is expecting project completion by mid-September 2025.

1. Click here for bid advertisement

2. Click here for bid drawings

3. Click here for bid specifications

4. Click here for ADDENDUM 2 to bid documents

5. Click here for ADDENDUM 3 to bid documents

6. Click here for ADDENDUM 4 to bid documents

7. Click here for ADDENDUM 6 to bid documents

SAVE THE DATES

Powell Township residents, please keep these annual township events in mind. Further details, including times, are in local newsletters (including the newsletter below) and/or will post as they become available.

12 April 2025: Easter Egg Hunt
03 May 2025: Dash for Trash
17 May 2025: Big Bay Relay
12 July 2025: Fire on the Bay
20 September 2025: Fall Festival
05 December 2025 (4P.M. – 7P.M.): Bay Cliff Health Camp Annual Open House
06 December 2025: Holiday Tree Lighting

Big Bay Events Newsletter – MARCH 14, 2025

Thank You for completing the Powell Township Parks and Recreation Survey. We had a great response. We appreciate your thoughts, ideas and priorities to ensure our parks, trails, and programs meet your needs.

Check out www.powelltownship.org, or the public bulletin boards, for any changes in meeting dates and times, as well as virtual meeting options. The Township Board, Committees, and Commissions have regular meetings and encourage all our residents to attend meetings.

Easter Egg Hunt:

Saturday, April 12, Starts 11:00 promptly.

Powell Township Hall, Treats will be served.

Dash For Trash/Community Clean Up

Hosted by the Big Bay Stewardship Council

Saturday, May 3 at 8:00am.

Meet at Draver Park at 8:00am, pick up high visibility vests, PPE, garbage bags and a cup of coffee. The event ends at 12:00pm with a community potluck and music at Draver Park, bring a dish to pass. A large dumpster will be located at Powell Township’s Transfer Station for garbage drop off. Put together a team and a pick-up trash along the roads, trails and waterways. Prizes for the most unique find, largest trash haul and team spirit! You can register HERE or on the day of the event! “Dump passes” are available to Powell Township Residents on the day of the event. Stop by the Township office to sign up for a pass to dispose of large items.

47th Annual Big Bay Relay

Saturday, May 17

Race from Marquette to Big Bay!

Starts at 8:00am at the Kaufman Sports Complex in Marquette. Finishes at Draver Park in Big Bay

Big Bay Relay is Seeking Business Sponsors

The Big Bay Relay is seeking business sponsors for the May 17th race. Sponsorship packets are attached. Contact: bigbayrelay@gmail.com with questions.

Lumberjack Entertainment Schedule

March 8 – Vinyl Tap, 8-12pm

March 15 – Groove Candy, 8-12pm

March 29 – Bradley Brownel, 8-11pm

April 5 – Diversion 8-12pm

April 12 – Flat Broke Blues, 8-11pm

April 19 – Karaoke, 8-12pm

May 10 – Bradley Brownell, 8-11pm

May 15, The Reveal, 8-12pm

May 25- Karaoke, 8-12pm

POWELL TOWNSHIP SCHOOL NEWS:

Powell Playgroup: For children ages birth-4 with a caregiver, every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM during the school year. Playgroup is canceled on snow days.

Free Fitness Class: The Mixer with Charise Baker, Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM during the school year. (Adults only please!) Classes are canceled on snow days.

Coming Soon – Big Bay is painting a MURAL

The 7^th and 8^th graders at Powell Township School in partnership with the BBSC, and local muralist, Lindsey Naylor, will be finalizing the details.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS- FUTURE EVENTS

Dash for Trash – May 3

Big Bay Relay – May 17

Fire on the Bay – July 12

Fall Festival – September 20

Summer Concert Series- Dates coming soon

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Seeking Trail Groomers

Assist with ski trails, operating side by side and pulling grooming tracks. Interested volunteers, contact Coty at 920-427-3670

Seeking Volunteers for Big Bay Relay – May 17

Opportunities listed on website: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Marquette/BigBayRelay Contact Marcia at bigbayrelay@gmail.com

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER ITEMS

Fitness Class

Every Wednesday when school is in session

6:00 – 7:00pm, Powell Township School Gym

All fitness levels welcome, bring a mat and light weights (if you have them)

Charise Baker, Certified Fitness Instructor

Presbyterian Church Community Dinners

Second Tuesday of the month. All are welcome! 4:30 – 6:30pm

Burns Landing Walkway Paver Donations

Would you like your name engraved on a paver at Burns Landing leading up the LeClair cabin? $100 donation. Checks can be dropped off at the Powell Township Office. If you haven’t already, take a walk to Burns Landing, it is looking amazing down there!

ASAHI Exercise Class

ASAHI is a form of exercise from Finland, accessible to everyone, of all ages. No equipment needed; Sequences are all done in a standing position.

Tuesdays at 9:30am at the Powell Twp. Hall and Fridays 9:30am at the Thunder Bay Inn Lobby. Led by Jill Vanatta, Certified Trainer

Senior Get Together

Presbyterian Church is Thursdays from 10:00 – 12:00pm.
Snacks, cards, puzzles, knitting, chatting and fun.

Knitting Club

St. Mary’s Church Basement-Mondays 10:00 – 12:00pm

The group is through the RSVP (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program)

CONTACT INFORMATION – Parks and Recreation Email List

Please share the newsletter with your friends and family! If you know somebody who would benefit from our newsletter, send us their email and we will add them to our list.
Do you want something in the next newsletter? Email Linda Ludwig with your event details a few weeks in advance of your event.
If you want to unsubscribe, kindly email us.
OUR EMAIL IS bigbaymichigan@gmail.com.

Big Bay Trail Opening

Fire On the Bay 2025:

July 12, 2025

Stand by for updates

Powell Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee announces the 31st Annual Fire on the Bay, July 12, 2025. Updates will follow with details for this year’s event.

Fireworks are traditionally fired from the north side of Big Bay Harbor on Lake Superior at dusk and last approximately 30 minutes. Spectator areas will be on the public beach and the Harbor area. Due to crowds, the beach turn-around will be blocked off to motorized vehicles at the Big Bay Marina. Handicapped Parking will be available at the Marina/Harbor. There will be limited roadside parking, so consider walking to the beach from the downtown area.

NO ALCOHOL OR PETS ARE PERMITTED AT THE FIREWORKS — there will be on-site enforcement.

We have had great support from the community in raising funds for the fireworks. All donations from last year are still being held for Fire on the Bay. Donations are accepted all year round. Please mail or drop off donations to the Powell County Treasurer, PO Box 38, Big Bay, Michigan, 49808 and include in the memo “Fire on the Bay”.

Fire on the Bay: Children's games, music, refreshments, and fireworks at dusk.

Easter Egg Hunt 2025:
April 25

Summer Concert Series 2025:
TBD

Holiday Tree Lighting 2025:
December 6

Stand by for updates on these events

Our Parks

A valuable tool has been created in partnership with the Big Bay Stewardship and the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) to welcome folks to the trails and our community. We are joining a national effort to “Leave No Trace” as people explore our community.

Thomas Rock Overlook

Thomas Rock Scenic Overlook: This jewel of the township was completed in 2010 with a universally assessable trail, information signage, picnic area and composting facilities. Plans are in the works for adding to the surrounding area and establishing walking and non motorized trails.

Burns Landing

Burns Landing & Boardwalk: Located on County Road KF, the site is the location of the original settler’s cabin, picnic area and boardwalk to the beach. Current projects are the restoration of the cabin and extension of the boardwalk and pavilion at the beach. The Parks and Recreation Committee recently received the Michigan Township Participating Plan Grant for Burns Landing Security Lighting.

Draver Park

Draver Park & Pavilion: Located across the street from the Powell Township Post office on Hoffman Street. The Park contains the softball field, playground equipment, and public restrooms. The Committee is working on a plan to bring the playground equipment up to current safety and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

Powell Township Recreational Trail Network

The Parks and Recreation Committee, along with Big Bay Pathways, has been awarded multiple grants to improve the Powell Township Recreational Trail Network. $10,000 was granted from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for trail grooming and equipment. CUPPAD granted $1500 for the communication boards for neighborhood news, located outside the Big Bay Post Office and at the Bill Dionne/Halfway Fire Hall. $1500 was also granted from the Marquette Community Foundation for trail grooming. We greatly appreciate all the help and funding to improve the trails for the community to enjoy in the wonderful place we live.

Volunteers Needed!

The 510 Trail Builders are looking for volunteers to work on the trails. New equipment is available, and if you have a favorite rake or tool, you are welcome to bring it. Please contact the Noquemanon Trails Network at noquetrails.org.

Parks and Recreation 5-year Plan

“The Parks & Recreation Plan is a guide for the upkeep and future development of parks and recreational facilities for the community of Powell Township. The development of this plan was initiated by the Powell Township Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Powell Township Recreation Committee. In 2019 this plan was updated with revised goals and strategies that will allow the Powell Township Officials to continue to invest wisely and strategically in their recreational assets. The revised goals and strategies in this plan are the results of several community input sessions. Some of those sessions were prompted around this 5-year recreation plan and included a student survey at the school and a community open house and public input session. Other community input sessions resulted from the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), brought to Powell Township from the Lundin Foundation to grow the economic resiliency of Powell Township with sustainable, recreational tourism, through marketing and branding as the Lundin-owned Eagle Mine prepares for its eventual closure.”

Updated 2020-2025 Parks and Recreation Plan – [view] Approved January 21, 2020