West Park is one of Resort Township’s newest parks with about 33 acres of mostly undeveloped land. Recent improvements include a new day use parking area off Townline Road offering 11 regular and 1 handicapped parking space. The parking area has a barrier-free, vault toilet building and sidewalk. At the east end of the paved parking area, an entrance gate marks the beginning of a ¼ mile path to Little Traverse Bay. The trail passes by a small stairway overlooking the former cement quarry once in operation to the east side of the park. A small path links the main trail with a wetland area complete with a wetland ecosystem and resident Great Blue Huron. This area affords excellent wildlife viewing opportunities and protected habitat. Passive recreational uses of this property are important to ensure these wildlife viewing opportunities are available for the public.

Near the water, an open-space area serves as a great location for sunbathing or Frisbee throwing. A nearby picnic shelter serves as a great family outing facility. Visitors may visit the lake and experience an outstanding view of the bay and Lake Michigan. Walking along the shore is more difficult due to the larger rocks populating the shoreline and no sand.

This park serves as an excellent natural area and is well suited for providing an environmental education resource for visitors. The park extends south to US 31 and could provide a connection with the Little Traverse Wheelway in the future.

West Park Accessibility

The parking area at West Park is completely barrier-free and as the park develops additional improvements will be compliant with ADA guidelines. The walk leading from the parking area to the waterfront is an improved, eight-foot wide, gravel pathway constructed during the initial phase of the park’s improvements. The grade along this pathway is greater than a five percent.