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

FIRE ON THE BAY & CONCERT REPORT: Big Bay, July 12, 7:30 P.M. Concert, Fireworks Followed the Concert

Powell Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee hosted the 31st Annual Fire on the Bay on Saturday, July 12, 2025.
The concert was at the beach pavilion located at the Burns Landing boardwalk’s end.
This was the first night of electricity use — for gathering, burgers, hot dogs, popcorn, drinks, sweatshirt sales, and boardwalk string lights — in and around the restored LeClaire Cabin and Burns Landing areas.
The band “Ramble Tamble” headlined and played to the beach, multiple bonfires, and lake (swimming/boating) crowds for over 2.5 hours.
Fireworks followed, and swimmers, boaters, and the shore crowd along Mino-kwe Jiigibiik were treated to good weather during the display.
Township members and volunteers rounded out the event Sunday morning with an early beach cleanup event.

The Township receives great support from the community in raising funds for the fireworks and is grateful for all event supporters. THANK YOU! Fire On the Bay donations are accepted year-round and are used solely for the annual event. You can use the code below, or mail any donations to: Powell County Treasurer, P.O. Box 38, Big Bay, Michigan, 49808 and include in the memo “Fire on the Bay,” or drop donations off at Powell Township Hall offices (or the drop box outside of the offices), or donate online at https://givebutter.com/OI2fue.

POWELL TOWNSHIP TRAILS UPDATES:

Trail maps are 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.

SAVE THE DATES

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

January: Thomas Rock Showshoe Event (3rd Saturday)
February: Fishing Derby (2nd weekend)
February: Honey Bear Classic Ski/Snowshoe Event (2nd weekend)
April: Easter Egg Hunt (Saturday before Easter)
May: Spring Cleanups, Dash for Trash, and Potlucks (1st week)
May: Big Bay Relay (3rd Saturday)
June: Summer Concert Series season begins
June: Park & Trail Recreation Network Volunteers Picnic
July: 4th of July Parade
July: Softball Tournament (weekend after July 4th)
July: Fire on the Bay (2nd Saturday)
August-September: Labor Day Softball Tournament (Labor Day weekend)
20 September 2025: Fall Festival (3rd weekend)
05 December 2025 (4P.M. – 7P.M.): Bay Cliff Health Camp Annual Open House
06 December 2025: Holiday Tree Lighting (1st Saturday)

Big Bay Events Newsletter – AUGUST 14, 2025

Compliments of Powell Township Parks and Recreation Committee

Community Ice Cream Social and Berry Bash – A Sweet Escape
THIS Saturday, August 16 at these 2 locations (across street from each other)

Community Presbyterian Church -Ice Cream & Pie Social
Sundaes – Banana Splits – Ice Cream Cones
Home Baked Pie a la Mode
11 AM – 2 PM
For additional Information call LuAnn 906 399-0868 or Darlene 906 869-4964

St. Mary Catholic Church will be hosting: A Berry Bash
All types of berry-baked goods and desserts.
Home made with fresh berries.
10 AM – 2PM
For additional information Call Eileen 906 235-3487

Blues Fest at Thunder Bay Inn
Friday/Saturday: August 22 and 23
Friday: 4:00 – 7:00pm and Saturday 1:00 – 10:00pm
Thunder Bay Inn, Tickets are $10.00.
Information available at www.historicthunderbayinn.com

Native Garden Work Bee
NOTE: The August 12 work sessions is cancelled and RESCHEDULED for September 17, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Meet at the Big Bay Pathway

BBSC Fall Fest and Car Show
Saturday, September 20 at Draver Park
11:00 – 4:00pm
If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoring or sharing ideas, reach out to director@bigbaystewardship.org

Sunrise Yoga on Lake Superior
Saturday mornings at Burns Landing Boardwalk Beach. The time varies, depending on the sunrise time. For event details and times for each week, join the Facebook page: Big Bay Fitness (BBF)
Yoga and a sunrise are a great way to start the day. Classes are one hour and cost $5.00. Bring a towel, yoga mat, and coffee. Class is offered by Sarah Weaver, registered yoga teacher. (See attached for more information)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS- FUTURE EVENTS

Blues Fest at Thunder Bay Inn – August 23 and 24

Fall Festival hosted by the BBSC– September 20

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Fitness Class Wednesdays at 5:30pm

UPDATED: Classes are at the Powell Township Building

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

Charise Baker, Certified Fitness Instructor

Join the Facebook Group: Big Bay Fitness (BBF)

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.

UPDATED** August classes will be on Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30am. Draver Park Trail Head Parking Lot. 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

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

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.