Hiram Sims Memorial Park

Hiram Sims Memorial Park invites the question, how many trees can thrive in a 15 acre park?

A lot!

The park’s paved nature trail guides visitors on a tour of the park and its stately inhabitants.

Natural ponds increase the park’s beauty.  Visit the park any time of year.  It’s sure to please.

Make a special trip to take in the fall colors.

They are dazzling!     

History

The largest of Walled Lake’s five parks, the Hiram Sims Memorial Park land was purchased from Hiram Sims in the late 1960’s.  The City of Walled Lake received grant money from the State of Michigan to aid the development of the park.  Originally known as Quinif Park, the park was dedicated July 04, 1974, and renamed

Hiram Sims Memorial Park.

Location-Location-Location

Take Quinif north off Pontiac Trail, ¼ mile east of  S. Commerce.  Turn right into park entrance.  Alternate route:  take Quinif east off S. Commerce, ¼ mile north of Pontiac Trail.  Turn left into park entrance. 

Size:  15.1 acres -- Neighborhood/Community Park

Amenities:

Well treed

2 ponds

¾ mile bituminous paved nature trail

Benches throughout park

Picnic areas with grills

Covered shelter

Free play area

3 fenced basketball courts

Sand volleyball

Fenced tennis court

Swings

Slide

Spring riders

Fitness stations

Drinking fountain

Portable restroom facilities -- Memorial Day to Labor Day

Marshall Taylor Park

Many ADA Accessible features!

Marshall Taylor Park beckons to the kid in all of us.

History

Marshall E. Taylor, two-time Mayor of Walled Lake (1961-1962 and 1971-1973), was first elected to the Walled Lake City Council in 1954.  Dedicated to public service, Marshall E. Taylor also served on the  Oakland County Board of Supervisors (1954-1969), was three-time Mayor Pro-Tem, Street Administrator, member of the Public Safety Committee, member of the Walled Lake Optimist’s Club, functioned as a school crossing guard, and even found time to direct traffic at St. Williams Parish on Sunday mornings.

Named in honor of a most dedicated and civic minded leader, Marshall Taylor Park sits atop an abandoned subdivision well.  The first trickle of City water sealed the fate of the old well. The land was developed into a park -- Marshall Taylor Park.  Walled Lake City Council, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Department of Public Works, combined forces to completely refurbish

Marshall Taylor Park in 1997-1998.  The park was rededicated, in the honor of Marshall E. Taylor, July 27, 1997.

Location-Location-Location

Take Gamma Street south off E. West Maple Road, ¼ mile east of Pontiac Trail.  Turn right into park entrance.

Size:   3 acres -- Active Mini-Park

Amenities:

Modular play structure designed for 2-5 year olds

Modular play structure designed for 6-10 year olds

2 sets of swings including infant, toddler, and ADA accessible 

Dynoclimer

Picnic, seating, and open green areas

Accessible walkways and safety surfacing

Mercer Beach

Escape to the Lake that’s not too far from home.

Enjoy an afternoon of fun and sun.  Have a picnic!  Build a sand castle!  Feel the Lake breezes!

Top off your outing by discovering Downtown Walled Lake.

It’s just a few steps away!

History

Mercer Beach is named in honor of E. V. Mercer.  Prior to 1908, the Milford Telephone Company provided Walled Lake telephone service.  “MA4” was the exchange -- now our prefix “624”.  The Home Telephone Company was established in 1908.  In 1920, E. V. Mercer purchased the  Home Telephone Company.  E. V. Mercer owned and managed the Home Telephone Company from 1920.

The City of Walled Lake purchased and combined multiple pieces of property, including E. V. Mercer Family’s existent beach, to form the City park now known as Mercer Beach.  This park received a substantial grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund in 1998, for the purpose of redevelopment.  With cooperation from the Walled Lake Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Public Works, and the Walled Lake City Council, the park underwent a major renovation, completed in the spring of 2000. 

Location-Location-Location

On East Walled Lake Drive, ¼ mile east of Pontiac Trail.

Size:  .8 acres including 200 feet of beach frontage --

           Special Use Park

Amenities:

Walled Lake

200 feet of beautiful sandy beach front

Picnic area and benches

Playscape

Drinking fountain

Portable restroom facilities -- Memorial Day to Labor Day

Pratt Park

Can’t wait to leaf through your new library book?

  Don’t delay.  Pratt Park is waiting for you.

Quiet.  Passive.  Well treed.

Escape into a book, while escaping the afternoon sun.         

History

Pratt Park is named in honor of Leland F. Pratt (1923 - 1971).  Leland Pratt gave 16 years of dedicated Police service to the

City of Walled Lake.  He was Chief of Police from 1964-1971.  He died in office.

Location-Location-Location

Park is adjacent to Walled Lake City Hall, Library, and

Fire Station, at 1499 E. West Maple Road.

Size:  .25 acre -- Passive Mini-Park

Amenities:

Well treed

Modular play structure including swings and slide

Picnic table and bench

Riley Park

A park for the future, with a link to the past!

History

Al Riley, a local gas station owner and Optimist, transferred ownership of his land, now known as Riley Park, to the Walled Lake Optimist’s Club.  The park, then known as Riley Field, remained a popular baseball and softball field for many years. 

October 19, 1971, the Walled Lake Optimist’s Club donated Riley Field to the City of Walled Lake.

Facing certain demolition, the Banks-Dolbeer-Bradley-Foster Farmhouse was moved, from its original location at 999 Pontiac Trail, to its new park setting in May 1997.  Oral histories confirm that the house was a “depot” on the Underground Railroad.   In addition to its role in the Abolition Movement, the farmhouse is significant because of its historic personage.  It was the home of Dr. Sarah Banks.  A descendent of the Mayflower’s Miles Standish, Dr. Banks was one of the first women to graduate from the University of Michigan College of Medicine and Surgery (1873).   Another notable feature of the Farmhouse is its architecture.  Beginning as a log cabin in the 1830’s, the house was remodeled into a Greek Revival Farmhouse in the 1840’s.  An Italianate addition was added in the 1850’s.  Both styles are rare in the Walled Lake / Commerce Township areas. 

The ongoing park renovation and redevelopment is made possible through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.  Although CDBG money cannot be used to restore the Foster Farmhouse, the farmhouse continues to be restored through the efforts of the Friends of the Foster Farmhouse, a local 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

Location-Location-Location

Take Common Road west off Pontiac Trail, 1/8 mile north of E. Walled Lake Drive.

Size:   1.1 acre -- Neighborhood Mini-Park

Amenities:

The Banks-Dolbeer-Bradley-Foster Farmhouse

Large Gazebo

Picnic, seating, and open green areas

Modular play area designed for 1 - 4 year olds

Modular play structure designed for 5 - 12 year olds

Many ADA accessible play options

Veterans’ Memorial Park

A quiet, reflective place that reminds us that

“Freedom Is Not Free”

History

Dedicated on Memorial Day 1999, Veteran’s Memorial Park is the most recent addition to Walled Lake’s park system. The main feature of Veterans’ Memorial Park is the monument.  Erected in 1990, the monument is the creation of former Walled Lake resident Frank Horencamp.  The park is dedicated to the memory of the many men and women that put themselves in harm’s way, especially those that sacrificed the ultimate – our nation’s defenders - our veterans.

Nationally, the year 2000 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Korean War (1950-1953).  To commemorate this anniversary the United States Congress and Department of Defense created the Korean War Commemorative Community Program.  Walled Lake was one of the first communities to apply for and receive this significant designation.  Now, a new flag waves alongside “Old Glory.” 

The 50^th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemorative Flag’s poignant message serves as a constant reminder that

“FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.”        

Location-Location-Location

The park encompasses the veteran’s monument in front of Walled Lake City Hall and its surrounding area, at

1499 E. West Maple Road.

Size:  Approximately .25 acre -- Special Use Park

Amenities:

Veteran’s Monument

Gardens and benches

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