New signs from a local artist now welcome visitors at two more parks in Laketown Township.
The addition of signs at Shore Acres and Farview parks – each a unique design special to that park — is part of a years-long project by the Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commission to make the sites more visible to the thousands of visitors to the parks each year.
“These signs are a warm and friendly way to welcome visitors to our beautiful parks. Each sign is a unique expression of the park they represent,” said parks Chairperson Tom Shuff.
Sign creator Robert Krause of Fennville helped install the new signs on Wednesday, April 12, at Shore Acres Township Park, 6602 138th Ave., and Farview Park, 6257 138th Ave.
Shore Acres is 40 acres with a popular disc golf course, walking and biking trails and a bicycle pump track. Access to Lake Michigan is possible through the surrounding Saugatuck Dunes State Park. The Felt Estate is also part of the park. The 8-foot-by-3-foot sign features a person riding a bicycle and another person playing disc golf.
Farview park is 87 acres with walking paths, equestrian trails and two ponds. The old Interurban electric railway line went through the park and its route is still visible. A former Interurban wait station is also in the park. The sign, 4 feet by 4 feet, features people riding horses.
All the name signs for parks in the township have been made by Krause. Signs are at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road, Wolters Woods, 6281 147th Ave., Sanctuary Woods, 4750 66th St., and Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St.
The only park remaining without a sign by Krause is Laketown Beach, 6710 142nd Ave. A sign is planned there for next year, according to the township Manager Al Meshkin.
Other signs
The welcome signs by Krause won’t be the only new additions to township parks.
Patty Meyer, operations director of the Felt Estate, is working on information signs for each park that will explain the unique wildlife and nature in the park and show trails and other features. For example, a sign at Sanctuary Woods highlights barred owls found in the park. A sign for Wolters Woods explains its role in the Macatawa Watershed.
Those signs should be ready for installation in the fall.