Community Chapters: Park Advocate

This was a remnant of green along an armored riverfront. Below the Bluff from the Whitcomb Hotel and Mineral Springs and a beautiful band shell anchoring the bluff walk. This greenway led to the lakefront, the Silver Beach Amusement Park and Shadowland Ballroom. But it needed a sense of place and aesthetic, purpose, way-finding, street furniture, TREES 🌳 

TODAY

St. Joseph Michigan

The Margaret Upton Arboretum

A riparian public park along the St. Joseph River at the Great Lake Michigan

As a child, I walked the streets of my small hometown gathering signatures on the petition to create this park, which is still much enjoyed today. It beautifully connects the bluff and bandshell, to the new carousel and swing bridge and scenic pier walks, as well as the improved Silver Beach park. Our referendum was carried and the Upton family donated the funds for development of this shady place along the banks of the river. My happy place 😊