Parks & Recreation

Looking to get outside? There's a variety of public parkland for your enjoyment in Garfield Township!

** DRAFT 2023-2027 PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN AND GRAND TRAVERSE COMMONS NATURAL AREA DESIGN PLAN AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT **

Garfield Township has prepared a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan in accordance with Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requirements to maintain the Township's eligibility to apply for MDNR grant programs.

The 2023-2027 Parks and Recreation Master Plan is available for review and comment for a one-month period ending January 10, 2022. The Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area Design Plan is included as part of the 2023-2027 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Your comments on the draft plan are welcome! Comments can be submitted via email to parks@garfield-twp.com.

ALERT: This spring and summer ticks are expected to be bad ...

Due to Michigan's unseasonably warm and wet winter coupled with an early spring, experts from the National Pest Management Association said Michigan is predicted to see an influx of ticks. The following tips will help you avoid ticks:

Don't stray from the trail
Be extra vigilant in warmer months
Do a "tick check" after every outdoor outing
Shower within two hours after coming inside
Use insect repellent

RESERVE A TOWNSHIP PARK FACILITY

Some Township park facilities are available for you to reserve for a group event by submitting a Park Reservation Application. Facilities available to reserve include picnic pavilions and athletic fields at Silver Lake Recreation Area and River East Recreation Area. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Before submitting your application, we recommend that you call the Township at 231-941-1620 to verify that the facility you would like to reserve is available.

TOWNSHIP PARKS

Garfield Township offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities in its parks. Click on each link below to find out more information about that specific park.

Boardman Valley Nature Preserve - Map

Grand Traverse Commons Natural Area - Map

Kids Creek Park - Map

Miller Creek Nature Reserve - Map

River East Recreation Area - Map

Silver Lake Recreation Area - Map

In addition to the parks owned and operated by Garfield Township, there are many other parks located in the Township offering a variety of recreational opportunities.

TOWNSHIP TRAILS

If you are looking for a long walk or a bike ride, check out these trails located in Garfield Township: Boardman Lake Trail, Buffalo Ridge Trail, and the Mall Trail. Also, take a look at the Township's Non-Motorized Plan Map to see where there are potential opportunities for future sidewalks and trails.

PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN

The Township has adopted a Parks and Recreation Plan to guide development of parks, trails, and recreation area. The Plan includes a description and inventory of current parks, goals and objectives for the park system, and recommended improvements and implementation items over the next few years. The Plan was created with the input of the public including through a community survey.

2018-2023 Parks and Recreation Master Plan - Adopted January 22, 2018

Amendment 1 - Adopted May 14, 2019

This page last updated on 12/8/2022.