October 10, 2001
Hull Park perk up unveiled
Crowd checks out new pavilion, boardwalk, stage
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
In a Thursday afternoon unveiling, the new, improved Hull Park debuted to a crowd of more than 100 well wishers.
Before the ribbon was cut, people roamed over the park's five acres, which now includes a pavilion, indoor restrooms, new boat launch, boardwalk along the shore and a stage with a grass amphitheater. An outdoor ice rink is planned for this winter.
These improvements were welcome by many at this little-known jewel right in the heart of Traverse City.
"I've always loved this spot, I come here because it is peaceful," said Tim Mikovitz, a Traverse City resident for more than 15 years. "This is one of the most picturesque spots but so few people knew about it."
The festivities for the day also included tours of the Children's Gardens next door at the library, face painting, a photo display of the work in progress and clowns with balloons. In addition, students of the Traverse Area Community Sailing program demonstrated their prowess on the water.
The dedication ceremony highlighted the project's teamwork, cooperation and vision among a variety of individuals and groups. This included the City Commission, Traverse Area District Library, area architects, the Soil and Water Conservation District and the Adams chapter of Trout Unlimited.
Funding for the $650,000 project began coming in three years ago. Reflecting the broad base of the vision for Hull Park, it came from a variety of sources, including the Natural Resources Trust Fund, a Coastal Management Program grant, matching funds from the city, Rotary Charities and Traverse City Light and Power.
The idea for improving Hull Park began seven years ago when Traverse Area Community Sailing was founded there. Tim Menzies helped start the program in 1994, which over the years has taught hundreds of students to sail on the Boardman Lake using small, donated sailboats.
With some of his students sailing in the background during the ceremony, Menzies said his teachers and students appreciate the park's pavilion for a very pragmatic reason.
"This building gives us a refuge from lightning storms," he said.
Having a viable sailing program based at Hull Park got everyone thinking about how to better use that space, noted city commissioner Margaret Dodd. At the time, she was a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee and said the committee soon began looking at how to use the park. She and member Bill Patak thought the park could be improved to attract a wide variety of residents.
"This area was totally underused for a city park," Patak said.
Living along the Boardman River herself, Dodd believes Traverse City is very lucky to have this beautiful lake tucked in its midst.
"I live just along the river and we bring a wee boat out here," she said. "There are days when you can be out here and not see another person. The whole area is just so fragile."
Ted Okerstrom sees the improvements to the park as the foundation of a recreational trail that he hopes will one day circumnavigate the Boardman Lake. The long-time city resident is a member of the TART Trail Boardman Steering committee and said that Hull Park and the Traverse Area District Library will form a wonderful trailhead. He noted that the committee has been working on the trail for the past 10 years and this gives their efforts a boost.
"I think so many people have done so much work on that corner of the lake and made it a unique and beautiful spot," he said. "To think that it might be the trailhead for the Boardman Trail is just great. Hopefully, if we can just get our easements complete_"