Kellogg Park is the focal point of Plymouth, Michigan's quaint downtown area, in and of itself an exercise in nostalgia. Framed by local shops, restaurants, and the historic Penn Theatre, Kellogg Park has the pleasant atmosphere that lends itself to hosting live music, chili cook-offs, enormous art festivals, and one of the nation's largest ice-sculpting competitions.
How to get to Kellogg Park
If you're coming from Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth is a quick 25 minutes along M-14 East. From Detroit, take I-96 West for 30 minutes.
Best and worst times to go to Kellogg Park
This may seem counter-intuitive, but probably the best time to go to Kellogg Park is when it can be at its busiest: Art in the Park, the second-largest art festival in Michigan, takes place here every summer, and the Fall Festival, offering pancake breakfasts, a carnival and a car show, occurs every September. If you're looking for something a little more tranquil, take a walk-through in the evening during the holiday season, where the park is lined with trees decorated by local families, clubs and businesses.
Must see/do at Kellogg Park
Throughout the summer, Kellogg Park hosts live music every weekend--a great place to relax and hang out with locals. The Plymouth Ice Festival, which takes place in January every year, brings in sculptors from all around the world to showcase their abilities. In October, Kellogg Park also hosts the Great Lakes Regional Chili Cook-Off with an accompanying motorcycle show.
Other places to visit near Kellogg Park
The Penn Theatre, built in 1941, is a well-maintained movie house from another time, and a great way to see second-run movies on the cheap. If history is what you're after, head down Main St. to the Plymouth Historical Museum, which includes an Abraham Lincoln exhibit and archives. Kellogg Park is also lined with several local and one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops.
Insider Tips for Visiting Kellogg Park
Though small in its own right, Kellogg Park is the epicenter of events in Plymouth. As an extremely walk-able downtown, take some time to wander into shops and cafes. The larger events, particularly the ones in the summer, can get hot, so visit early in the morning when both the temperatures and the crowds are low.
Author's bio: Jeff Birou is an education administrator by day, travel and freelance writer by night. You can find him at his blog, Lance+Jeff, or on Twitter at @lanceandjeff.
This park, managed by the Village of Lake Orion, is located in downtown Lake Orion. Along with a white gazebo, the Paint Creek flows through the park. It serves as a common gathering spot for locals, and is a good place to bring children to play.
The newly-renovated Marshbank Park reopened in late 2010 after a $5 million improvement project. Marshbank Park is now universally assessable including a new year-round shelter with restrooms, a seasonal restroom, a paved walking path around the park, new playscapes and picnic shelters. Also included is a fishing pier and canoe/kayak launch along the shore of Cass Lake (which will be installed in the spring of 2011). A new sledding hill was also contoured into the landscape for winter enthusiasts. The ball fields have new backstops. The park also has a new entrance, new roadways and additional parking.
