The Powell Township Parks and Recreation Committee is a volunteer committee consisting of 8 Powell 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 parks, the annual July 4th events, annual Fire on the Bay fireworks display, annual Music in the Park and Summer Concert Series Events, the annual Easter Egg Hunt, the annual Lighting of the Holiday Tree event, and holiday softball games and tournaments.
NOTICE – POWELL TOWNSHIP DRAFT 2026-2030 RECREATION PLAN AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW
The draft 2026-2030 Recreation Plan was approved for public review on December 17, 2025. A Public Hearing to discuss the Plan was also approved and will occur on January 20, 2026, 6:00 P.M., in Powell Township Hall. A Public Hearing Notice will follow. To review the draft Plan, click here, or contact the Parks and Recreation Committee at parksandrec@powelltownship.org. All contact options and/or business hours to make requests in person are available on the Contact Us page.
NOTICE – PUBLIC HEARING for the DRAFT 2026-2030 RECREATION PLAN
January 20, 2026, 6:00 P.M.
Powell Township Hall, 101 Bensinger St., Big Bay, Michigan, 49808
Agenda: Discuss the POWELL TOWNSHIP DRAFT 2026-2030 RECREATION PLAN
This Public Hearing is intended to discuss the draft 2026-2030 Recreation Plan, which was approved for public review on December 17, 2025. To review the draft Plan, click here, or contact the Parks and Recreation Committee at parksandrec@powelltownship.org. All contact options and/or business hours to make requests in person are on the Contact Us page.
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.
YOU ARE INVITED – 32ND ANNUAL FIRE ON THE BAY – JULY 11, 2026
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: Softball Tournament (Labor Day weekend)
- September: Fall Festival (3rd weekend)
- Fall – Spring: Community Dinners, Open Houses, and Food Banks
- December: Holiday Tree Lighting (1st Saturday)
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 & 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 & 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.”
View the current 2020-2025 Parks and Recreation 5-Year Plan here.