GENERAL INFORMATION
FORT GRATIOT PARKS COMMISSION
Elected Commission, Served in Four Year Terms:
Michael Petrick, first appointed in 2018, elected in 2020
Peter Irland, first appointed in 2019, elected in 2020
Robert Montgomery, elected in 2022
Connie Neese, appointed in 2022
Tanya Keefe, appointed in 2023
The Fort Gratiot Parks Commission meets the 3rd Monday of each month at the Fort Gratiot Municipal Center in the Gardendale Meeting Room at 7:00 PM.
Click here to view the 2023-2027 Fort Gratiot Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Click here to check out water and land trails throughout St. Clair County!
Click here for a list of Blueway Paddling Routes (Canoes, kayaks and National Recognition!)
Click here for a list of Greenways & Trails (Bikes, walking/running, non-motorized)
RECREATION PROGRAMS
Thanks to a continuing collaboration with the City of Port Huron, Fort Gratiot residents are charged the resident rate for city rec programs. Visit their site or pick up a brochure for more info.
FG residents also get the resident rate for Lakeside Beach passes. All passes are sold at the booth at Lakeside Beach.
To reserve the Fort Gratiot County Park at Metcalf Road, you must contact St. Clair County Parks and Recreation at (810) 989-6960. More information can be found on their website by clicking here.
TO RESERVE ANY FORT GRATIOT PARK FACILITIES, PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE AT (810) 385-4489
OUR PARKS
Robert E. Crawford Little League Park, 4390 State Road
North River Road Park, 3055 North River Road, features a softball diamond, two tennis courts, basketball court, playground equipment, picnic area with pavilion, ADA accessible kayak launch on the bank of Black River.
Fort Gratiot Pond, 4888 Parker Road, south of Carrigan Road, features pavilions, a pond with covered dock, playground equipment and parking for and access to the Fort Gratiot bike path. The Fort Gratiot Yacht Club can be found racing RC boats throughout the summer. Our fall family free event, Scarecrow Saturday, is also held at this park.
Kettlewell Pond, between 24th Avenue and Parker Road
Fort Gratiot PetSafe Canine Commons, 4788 Parker Road
Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve, Parker Road, south of the dog park
Keewahdin Road Beach, 2500 Keewahdin Road
DOG PARK
Welcome to Fort Gratiot PetSafe Canine Commons!
Opened in 2016, the two acre dog park features two fenced commons; the left/west common for medium to large dogs, and the right/east common for small to medium dogs. There is no charge to visit the park, but there are a few rules to follow.
Dog waste bags, trash receptacles and port-a-johns are available but we do not have a water source yet, so please remember to bring water for your furry friend!
The park is open year round from dawn to dusk. On occasion we temporarily close the park for maintenance. We generally schedule these on weekday mornings, only close one common at a time, and post notices at the park and our website and Facebook page. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FortGratiotDogPark/
2015-Fort Gratiot won $25,000 from PetSafe to build a dog park! Thanks for barking!
Fort Gratiot is 1 of 16 finalists nationwide in a contest that saw over 1,000 communities nominated in the PetSafe Bark For Your Park competition, and is the ONLY community in Michigan!
The proposed
location is on a parcel we already own that was generously donated to us by the McIntyre Family. The park was initially going to include soccer fields, but due to wetlands on the 29 acre site, the design was too difficult and would only be able to accommodate 2 fields that would be separated by wetlands. The property is situated between Parker Road and the Kettlewell Pond, south of the Fort Gratiot Pond (Scarecrow Saturday park) and is adjacent to the bike path. We are planning to have a section open in late spring, early summer, 2016.
FORT GRATIOT NATURE PRESERVE
FORT GRATIOT NATURE PRESERVE
Submitted by Laurie A. Dennis
Blue Water Audubon Society Member, Friends of the St. Clair River Steward
The Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve is a multifaceted natural area owned and maintained by the Charter Township of Fort Gratiot, Michigan. The Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve is accessible from M-25 (24th Avenue), Fort Gratiot, through the Fort Gratiot Meijer store south end parking lot along a terrain of sand dunes, shaded by trees and native grasses. Other access can be made from the Parker Road entrances and parking areas north of Keewahdin Road. The nature preserve is made up of several natural areas that provide many recreational options and that benefit many diverse groups. A wide paved pathway circles the Kettlewell Pond which provides access for biking, walking, running, fishing, and wildlife viewing. A fishing platform provides ADA accessibility to the water’s edge. Families on bicycle rides, joggers, bird watchers and dog walkers are seen daily on this well maintained pathway. The Kettlewell Pond in the center of the trail is excellent habitat for many species of waterfowl, birds of prey, and migrating birds in spring and fall; making this location one of the best birding spots in the Blue Water Area. The shoreline growth provides ample nesting habitat for many waterfowl, along with protection for local fish and amphibian species that live and spawn in the waters. Native tree plantings and control of non-native plants are important steps being taken around the preserve to maintain a natural habitat.
Connected to the main nature trail is a pathway leading to the parking area for McIntyre Park and Fort Gratiot Pond. McIntyre Park features sheltered picnic tables, benches and playground equipment. The Fort Gratiot Pond includes a course plotted for use by the Fort Gratiot Yacht Club for radio controlled boating and a gazebo for viewing. Many native flower gardens are maintained to attract native butterflies and caterpillars to the park area. McIntyre Park and surrounding area are the perfect outdoor location for the annual “Scarecrow Saturday” event open to the entire community to celebrate the fall season with numerous family events.
The wetland area, south of the path area, left in its natural state provides a buffer zone for the Nature Preserve. The native habitat is teeming with amphibians, mammals and avian life. Many migrating birds are seen throughout this area during spring and fall and occasionally a rare bird sighting is reported.
The paved pathway winds to the west across Parker Road and over creeks and through grassy areas. A complete biking or walking course from Meijer parking lot around the McIntyre Pond and ending at Keewahdin Road near Fort Gratiot School can measure up to 3.4 miles. For more information regarding the Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve contact the Fort Gratiot Charter Township Office, 810-385-4489
Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve Bird List 2018 (Page 1)
Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve Bird List 2018 (Page 2)
