Family Fun at Ludington's Waterfront Park

Location:  Waterfront Park, 250 S William Street, Ludington, Michigan (USA)  

Entrance Sign

This five-acre, family-friendly park is a special place.  Created in 1999, the Waterfront Park has a large playground area for the kids.  It is a great place to enjoy a family picnic, relax in the gazebo, view the sunset, or watch the boats sail by the park.  

Playground

Pavilion/Gazebo

The park has restrooms and the extra bonus of having wi-fi available.  But for me, there is still something else that makes this park special …

Waterfront Park has “Art in the Park” – permanent bronze sculptures.  Our early spring visit is on a cold, cloudy, and breezy day.  I guess everyone else was smart enough to wait until later in the day when the skies cleared and it got a little warmer.  Until then, we have the Park to ourselves.  

We walk along the sidewalks to view the nine different bronze sculptures.  There are informative signs telling the story behind each sculpture and how it relates to Ludington’s history.  For instance, “Ludington’s Lumbering Era” recalls how important the lumbering industry was to Ludington’s early years.  

"Ludington's Lumbering Era"

Of course, “The Car Ferries of Ludington” represents the symbol of Ludington – the SS Badger (now a National Historic Landmark).   The car ferry still sails across Lake Michigan everyday from May-October.

"The Car Ferries of Ludington"

The sidewalk ends with a view of Ludington's car ferries (the permanently docked Spartan and the SS Badger).    “The Spirit of Ludington” honors those who have sailed on Lake Michigan. 

View of Car ferries

"The Spirit of Ludington"

Most of the sculptures have a “Do Not Climb” sign by them.  However, there are a couple of places that allow you to  interact with the sculpture.  The empty stump at the “Hooked on Hamlin” sculpture seems to invite you to sit a spell ... or you can join in the fun by standing on one of the unoccupied rocks at the end of the line at the “Follow the Leader” sculpture.    

"Hooked on Hamlin"

"Follow the Leader"

The most recent sculpture (“Fruits of Farming”) was added to the Park in 2010.   It represents the farming heritage of the area.  

"Fruits of Farming"

The bronze sculpture “Put Me in, Coach” pays homage to the semi-pro baseball team the Ludington Mariners (1912-1924). 

"Put Me In, Coach"

Closer to the condominiums (east end of the park) is the bronze sculpture titled “The Dummy Train”.  From 1874 to 1919, the train connected Ludington with Epworth Heights and carried thousands of passengers during the summer months.  Some of the actual rails were used in this sculpture.

"The Dummy Train"

Of the nine sculptures, my favorite is called “Reflections”.   Its stainless steel sail creates an abstract form of art that I found intriguing.  This unique art piece represents how lumber was once carried by schooners from Ludington to other locations. 

"Reflections"

So, if you are looking for a fun, relaxing, and educational day at a Park – Waterfront Park will fill the bill and not break the till. 

Ludington is a tourist town along beautiful Lake Michigan.  There are lots of places to eat and sleep and things to do – like visit the Historic White Pine Village.

Rose Hawley Museum – Historic White Pines Village

Please click on the following link to view my blog post with information regarding this historic village:  Historic White Pine Village

For more information on visiting Ludington, please click on the following link:

Visiting Ludington, Michigan