Parks & Recreation Department

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 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.

Parks and Recreation on Facebook

Powell Township Trails Traffic Report

QUICK REPORT – TRAILS UPDATE – 23 JANUARY 2025

Meditation Trail and Hidden Grin Trail are rolled and tracked. Meditation is double-tracked. Just got another 4 inches of snow on an average base depth of 8 inches. Conditions are excellent!

Powell Township Newsletter – January 17, 2025

Happy 2025 Everyone!! Events for January and February:

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.

Follow these additional sites for more information and events:

Parks and Recreation on Facebook: Link
Powell Township Fire Department: Link
Powell Township Emergency Management: Link
Big Bay Information on Facebook: Link
Discover Big Bay on Facebook: Link
Big Bay Pathway on Facebook: Link

Powell Township Food Bank

Food Bank is open on the following dates from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.:

Wednesday, January 1, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, January 15, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, February 5, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, February 19, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, March 5, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Wednesday, March 19, 5:00 – 7:00 P.M.

Food Bank Donations

You can make a monetary donation to the township office, make checks out to Powell Township and “food bank donation” in the memo line. A great holiday idea.
Food/supply donations can be dropped off at the Powell Township office during regular office hours (Mon & Thu 9-12) or dropped off directly to the food bank during operating hours.
Questions? Call Kim Bourgeois at 906-362-7275.

Cruise Boom Film Screening, hosted by the BBSC

January 24 6:00 – 8:00pm

Bay Cliff Health Camp, Big House

Panel discussion, fireside chat, and Q&A with the movie producer

See attachment poster for details

Fishing Derby on Lake Independence

February 8 and 9

Click here for details

Powell Township 5-Year Recreation Plan

Public Hearing
POSTPONED to March 11, 2025, 6:30 P.M. (during Parks and Recreation’s monthly meeting)
Location: Powell Township Hall

36^th Honey Bear Classic Ski/Snowshoe Fundraiser

Saturday, February 15, Group start at 11:00am

Cross country ski or snowshoe the Big Bay Pathway loop, located on Deutsch Avenue.

Warming fire and hotdog roast at the trailhead, Live music at the Thunder Bay Inn from 12-3.

Register online or in person at the Thunder Bay Inn the day of the event. https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/BigBay/HoneyBearClassicFundraiser

Volunteers are still needed, email Marcia at honeybearclassic@gmail.com

Do you know of a local business sponsor?

The Big Bay Relay is seeking business sponsors for the May 17th race.

Sponsorship packets are attached.

Race sign up website and details: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Marquette/BigBayRelay

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.

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.

Powell Senior Tea: On February 13th, join us at 10:00 in the PTS gym for entertainment put on by students and enjoy tea and baked goods served and prepared by the 7th and 8th grade students.

PTS Community Theater: The production of The Big Bad Musical will be on March 7th and 8th at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $5 and available at the door.

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

Seeking Event Volunteers

The Parks and Recreation committee is seeking volunteers to chair some local events, including Fire on the Bay, Christmas Tree Lighting and the Easter Egg Hunt.

Interested volunteers, email bigbaymichgan@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 , 9:30am at the Powell Twp. Hall and Thursdays, 9:30am at the Thunder Bay Inn Lobby. Led by Jill Vanatta, Certified Trainer

Senior Get Together – New Day of Week – THURSDAYS

Presbyterian Church – NOW MEETS ON 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)

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

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 to bigbaymichigan@gmail.com and we will add them to our list.

-Do you want something in the next newsletter? Email Linda Ludwig at bigbaymichigan@gmail.com with your event details a few weeks in advance of your event.

-If you want to unsubscribe, kindly email us at bigbaymichigan@gmail.com.

Big Bay Trail Opening

Fire On the Bay 2024 – July 13, 2024

Fire on the Bay Kids Games

Saturday, July 13, 4:00 – 6:00pm

Games include: Duck matching, human ring toss, sawdust pile, foam machine mayhem

All kids are welcome.

Fireworks

The Powell Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee announces the 30th Annual Fire on the Bay will be held on July 13, 2024. Rain date is set for July 20, 2024. The fireworks display will begin at dusk and lasts approximately half an hour. Fireworks are traditionally fired from the north side of Big Bay Harbor on Lake Superior. Spectator areas will be on the public beach and the Harbor area. Due to the large crowds, the Beach turn-around will be blocked off to motorized vehicles at the 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 Treasurer PO Box 38 Big Bay, MI 49808 and include in the memo “Fire on the Bay”.

2023 Fire on the Bay: There was fun for everyone at Fire on the Bay. Children’s games, music and refreshments followed by our awesome fireworks at dusk.

Summer Concert Series 2024

Your Parks and Recreation Committee are pleased to offer four concerts in the park this summer. All events are hosted at the Draver Park Pavilion from 7pm – 9pm and are free to attend. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No alcoholic beverages are permitted at Draver Park.

Saturday, June 15, 2024 – Ethan Bott playing classic UP country and original compositions

Saturday, July 13, 2024 – The Organ Grinders playing the blues

Saturday, August 10, 2024 – 7 Foot Drift

2023 Summer Concert Series: The community enjoying fellowship and music at Draver Park.

Our Parks

A valuable tool has been created in partnership with the Big Bay Stewardship and 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.

Burn's Landing

Burns Landing & Boardwalk: Located on county road KF the site is the location of the original settler’s cabin, picnic area and board walk to the beach. Current projects are the restoration of the cabin, extension of the boardwalk and pavilion at the beach. Recently the Parks and Recreation Committee received the Michigan Township Participating Plan Grant for Burn’s 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 Soft Ball Field, Food Stand, Playground equipment and public restrooms. The committee is working on a plan to bring the playground equipment up to current safety and ADA standards.

Powell Township Recreational Trail Network

The Parks and Rec. with Big Bay Pathways has been awarded multiple grants to improve the Powell Township Recreational Trail Network. The recent grant is from the CUPPAD for $1500 for a communication board. This board will be for neighborhood news. The locations will be outside Post Office and the Halfway FireHall Also received is $1500 from Marquette Community Foundation for trail grooming and $10,000 from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for trail grooming and equipment. We appreciate all the help and funding to improve our trails that the community can better enjoy the wonderful place we live. Follow us on Facebook as the Big Bay Pathway

Volunteers Needed!

The 510 Trail Builders are looking for Volunteers to work on the trails. New equipment has come in to work with but also 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 21st, 2020