Island Park

Island Park

From E. Main Street Bridge looking south down the Flat River

Today when standing on the E. Main Street bridge and looking downriver to the south, we see an island covered with trees (and poison ivy) and a railroad bridge trestle running along the north end of the island. The railroad is still in use by the King Milling Co. but all else is quiet.

This island was once a popular park where families could go for a picnic. It was a destination for social events, religious revivals, baptisms, lodge reunions, band conventions, family reunions and especially July 4th and presidential candidate orations. William Jennings Bryan once spoke here when running for President and Michigan Governor Pingree also spoke. On the Fourth of July fireworks were set off on the Island so they could be watched from the Main Street bridge.

In the 1880’s local resident J. C. Train donated the islands in the Flat River south of Main Street to the City of Lowell and Island Park began. Each year footbridges to the east and west banks were built to provide access to the park. In 1894, bridges were also built to connect the lower three islands to the large upper island, increasing the size of the park. The bridges had to be taken up before winter and rebuilt each spring or they would be washed away by the spring floods. Crowds of people would gather on the Island for events and then they would enjoy a picnic lunch. Island Park had picnic tables, swings and a bandstand where Sunday concerts were held before large crowds. The band once put on a minstrel show to raise money for a permanent pavilion.

During the Civil War period, a flag staff was bolted to a small oak tree near the north end of the park. John Hatch, a veteran, remembered that Lowell recruits were drilled under that staff and flag prior to going south. In 1908, the flag staff was still there but then it was below the treetop as the tree had grown above it.

In 1899, the Grand Rapids, Belding & Saginaw Railroad Company built a train crossing bridge over the Island. It was built across the north end of Island Park and in exchange, the Railroad Company furnished two pedestrian bridges along the side of the bridge. In 1915, the Pere Marquette railroad replaced the original bridges with a new train trestle.

Island Park has inspired the naming of local organizations such as the Island City Rebekah Chapter No. 282 of the Internation Order of Odd Fellows. They used Island Park for summertime picnics and meetings. In 1912 St. Mary’s Parish published the Island City Cook Book.

The 1926 Lowell Home-coming Jubilee included a picnic dinner at Island Park. No mention is made of Island Park’s use after 1926. The Islands were taken over by poison ivy. Several attempts to re-establish the park have been made over the years including 1971 and 1980 but were never completed.

The following is a remembrance of the park by local resident Thelma Peckham Hahn:
The large island in Flat River, south of the railway trestle, often referred to as Island Park, was enjoyed by many people during the summer months. Lodge and Club picnics, family and church picnics were held there in spite of the mosquitoes, flies, and a few water snakes. A Revival or community service was sometimes held on a Sunday evening before darkness descended.

Each spring after the flooding subsided, wooden foot bridges were constructed below, along the side of the trestle connecting the island to the mainland on the east and the west sides. There were wide cracks between the long planks, and railings ran along each side to protect the little children from the river. After that construction, the tall grass had to be scythed, and the autumn leaves had to be raked and burned. The green growth was lush. Many wildflowers bloomed. A wooden platform in the middle of the island had to be reinforced each spring to accommodate the town band, political speakers and evangelists. A few long planks on wooden horses served as tables. After the 4th of July parades ended, the sightseers went to the island with their picnic baskets.

Images:

Festivities on Island Park. Notice the raised speaker’s stand with the U.S. flag as a backdrop.

Women on footbridge to Island Park

The pedestrian bridge to Island Park was constructed below the railroad bridge. It was removed each fall and rebuilt each spring so it would not be washed away. P. M. means Pere Marquette Railroad. They took over the railroad soon after it was extended through Lowell in 1900.
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Island City Cook Book