| Charles Mears State Park | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Beachfront along Lake Michigan | |
  Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Mears State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Pentwater, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 43°47′00″N86°26′26″W / 43.78333°N 86.44056°W /43.78333; -86.44056 |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Elevation | 610 feet (190 m) |
| Established | 1920[1] |
| Administered by | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Designation | Michigan state park |
| Website | Official website |
Charles Mears State Park is a public recreation area in the village ofPentwater,Oceana County,Michigan. Thestate park encompasses 50 acres (20 ha) on the north side of the channel that connectsLake Michigan andPentwater Lake.[2]
Mears State Park was among 13 parks established in 1920 following the creation of the Michigan State Parks Commission a year earlier.[3] The park land, which was once owned by lumber baronCharles Mears, was donated to the state by his daughter Carrie Mears.[4] The park originally comprised only 16 acres "strictly made up of lake sand."[5] In 1921, the vegetation that held the sand in place was disturbed during a grading process, resulting in a loss of sand to the winds, much to the annoyance of neighboring dwellers. To cure the man-made problem, five tons of marsh hay were "evenly distributed and disked in." A toilet and fireplaces were also constructed.[5]
In addition to fishing, swimming, camping, and picnicking, the park offers a one-mile (1.6 km) hiking trail that ascends the Old Baldy sand dune. The park also includes thePentwater North Pierhead Light, which is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[2]
