Recreation Areas

BEAVER GROVE RECREATION AREA (BGRA)

Located west of US-41 and north of County Road 480 and is accessible from either road. The site has considerable frontage on Big Creek which flows along its eastern border. Direct access to the creek from a hiking trail provides fishing opportunities as well as unique passive recreational outlets. Existing facilities provided at this site consist of the following: 1 baseball field, 1 soccer field and 1 soccer practice field, 1 tot-lot/playground, horseshoe courts, picnic facilities, open space/multi-use play area, 1 basketball court and a 30' x 60' pavilion, a hiking trail, parking, and restrooms.

BROWERS RECREATION AREA

This park contains fifty forested acres and is located west of Kawbawgam Road at the Kawbawgam and Mangum Road intersection. Hiking, snowshoeing and skiing is available. Students also use this area for educational purposes. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. A small parking lot is located off Kawbawgam Road.

CHERRY CREEK SCHOOL PLAYGROUND

It is located near the intersection of Cherry Creek Road and Ortman Road one mile west from the US-41/M-28 intersection. This playground has a variety of recreation equipment for the school children. It also has a large open space area for general recreation activities, a portion of which has been developed as an interpretive nature trail supported by classroom projects.

CHOCOLAY LIONS CLUB PARK

This is a recreation area located on M-28, approximately 2.5 miles east of the US-41/M-28 intersection. The Lions Club has built a baseball field, two ice skating rinks, a half court basketball court and a large parking lot.

CHOCOLAY RIVER PUBLIC ACCESS AND FISHING SITE

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources developed this 5.7 acre site on M-28 approximately one mile east of US-41/M-28 intersection. This handicap accessible site consists of a public fishing pier, a carry-down boat launch, expanded parking and a restroom facility. It is currently only one of only two handicap accessible fishing sites in Marquette County.

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP BOAT LAUNCH

The Township's only marina is located along Main Street in the northwestern corner of the Township in the village of Harvey. The marina is situated on the Chocolay River approximately 1500 feet from Lake Superior. The site contains a skid pier boat launch and picnic area. It provides boat access to the Chocolay River and to Lake Superior. Unfortunately, the river mouth is often too shallow to permit easy access to Lake Superior, resulting in limited public use.

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL COMPLEX

Located on a 2.79 acre parcel with frontage on the west side of US-41 in the village of Harvey. Besides housing the Township's governmental facilities, the property supports a 20' x 40' pavilion on its northeast corner. Supplied with a number of picnic tables, a permanent grill, and nestled among towering pines, this location provides an ideal recreation site for tourists and residents alike. During the winter months there is an ice rink available just north of the pavilion.

JAMES JESKE FLOODING ... SAND RIVER

The Michigan DNR built this wildlife flooding area on the Sand River approximately 11 miles from the US-41/M-28 intersection. Located just south of the mouth of the Sand River and Lake Superior. It covers more than 700 acres of land. It has become a popular fishing and hunting location as well as a passive scenic site.

KAWBAWGAM POCKET PARK

The Pocket Park is located on Kawbawgam Road, just south of M-28 East, approximately 5 miles east of the US-41/M-28 intersection. Volunteers have installed swings, a basketball court, a restroom, and picnic table.

LAKE LEVASSUER CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAIL

The trail head and parking lot for this ski trail is located on the access road to Lake LeVassuer boat launch. The trail is approximately 4 miles in length and runs through state lands along the north shore of Lake LeVassuer. Two loops are divided for beginning and advanced skiing.

LAKE LEVASSUER WATERFOWL AREA

Public access site to Lake LeVassuer off Kawbawgam Road. It is approximately 8 miles from the US-41/M-28 intersection. The DNR rebuilt the dam on the west end of the lake to provide improved hunting and fishing opportunities for the public.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SCENIC TURNOUTS

MDOT owns three roadside scenic turnouts along the M-28 corridor along the Lake Superior shoreline. Site #1 is found approximately 6 miles east of the US 41/M-28 intersection near the Kawbawgam Road location. It consists of a half-mile of frontage on Lake Superior. It has a map display case, a picnic area, water well, restrooms and a stairways accessing the beach and Lake Superior. Sites #2 and #3 are located approximately 7 and 11 miles east of the US 41/M-28 intersection. These two sites are a 1.5 mile strip overlooking Lake Superior. They have small picnic areas.

SILVER CREEK RECREATION AREA (SCRA)

Located adjacent to the Silver Creek Church in the northwest corner of the Township. Facilities at the site consist of the following: 4 tennis courts, 1 soccer field, 1 baseball diamond, 1 tot-lot/playground, a picnic area, a partially developed hiking and skiing trail system, modern restrooms, warming shelter, and paved drives.

The SCRA is extensively used by organized baseball (hardball and softball) and soccer throughout the spring, summer, and fall. The trail system is popular all year. The tennis courts, tot-lot/playground and picnic area and utilized from late spring to late fall.

Chocolay Township also has two privately owned golf courses and one campground.