New sign welcomes visitors to Sanctuary Woods

Laketown Township’s Sanctuary Woods Park, 4750 66^th St., has its custom-made sign back.

Jeff Partyka, facilities operations for the township, finished installing the new welcome sign on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

The sign has been moved slightly to the south of the old sign.

Crews from Consumers Energy were cutting a large damaged oak tree on Nov. 3, 2025, in the front section of the park between the entrance and exit, when a piece dropped, bounced unexpectedly and hit the 3-foot-by-5-foot welcome sign, breaking it into seven pieces. It was shattered beyond repair.

Insurance from the tree removal company paid for the replacement which is larger than the original.

Both the old and new signs were made by Robert Krause, an artist based in Fennville. He has made signs for the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road, Wolters Woods Park, 6281 147^th Ave., Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64^th St., Shore Acres Park, 6602 138^th Ave., and Farview Park, 6257 138^th Ave.

Krause also designed a sign for the Laketown Township Beach, 6710 142^nd Ave., but the parks and recreation commission decided in 2024 not to commission the work.

Other signs

Sanctuary Woods is also home to two other styles of signs that were installed in 2023. One of the signs has facts about the property, rules and trail maps. The other signs highlight the animals and nature in the park.

A total of 13 informational signs are placed at all the parks throughout the township.

Sanctuary Woods is 40 acres with a lower level and upper level trails linked by wooden steps. A historic Interurban railway bridge is in the park.