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Mears State Park

Coordinates: 43°47′00″N 86°26′26″W / 43.78333°N 86.44056°W / 43.78333; -86.44056
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Charles Mears State Park
Channel
Pentwater Lake Channel,
the park's southern boundary
Mears State Park is located in Michigan
Mears State Park
Location in Michigan
Mears State Park is located in the United States
Mears State Park
Mears State Park (the United States)
LocationPentwater, Michigan, United States
Coordinates43°47′00″N 86°26′26″W / 43.78333°N 86.44056°W / 43.78333; -86.44056
Area50 acres (20 ha)
Elevation610 feet (190 m)
Established1920[1]
Administered byMichigan Department of Natural Resources
DesignationMichigan state park
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Charles Mears State Park is a public recreation area in the village of Pentwater, Oceana County, Michigan. The state park encompasses 50 acres (20 ha) on the north side of the channel that connects Lake Michigan and Pentwater Lake.[2]

History

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Mears State Park was among 13 parks established in 1920 following the creation of the Michigan State Parks Commission a year earlier.[3] The park land, which was once owned by lumber baron Charles Mears, was donated to the state by his daughter Carrie Mears.[4] The park originally comprised only 16 acres "strictly made up of lake sand."[5] In 1921, the vegetation that held the sand in place was disturbed during a grading process, resulting in a loss of sand to the winds, much to the annoyance of neighboring dwellers. To cure the man-made problem, five tons of marsh hay were "evenly distributed and disked in." A toilet and fireplaces were also constructed.[5]

Activities and amenities

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In addition to fishing, swimming, camping, and picnicking, the park offers a one-mile (1.6 km) hiking trail that ascends the Old Baldy sand dune.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "When were Michigan state parks and recreation areas established?" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Mears State Park". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Michigan DNR celebrates 100 years of state parks" (PDF). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. pp. 10–11. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "Oceana County Master Plan" (PDF). Oceana County Planning Commission. April 28, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Albert Stoll, Jr. (ed.). "The Biennial Report of the Department of Conservation of the State of Michigan 1921–1922". p. 231. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
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