Ludington Park

Teens like to meet and fish off the bridge to the sandy swimming beach at Ludington Park. The marina is in the background. A paved bike path leads to and through the mile-long park, attracting joggers, bikes, and walkers.

A mile of lakefront parkland begins at the foot of Escanaba's main business street, across from its landmark House of Ludington hotel. In a grand gesture of corporate paternalism, lumberman and Escanaba founding father Nelson Ludington had his chief engineer lay out this 120-acre park when he platted the town and its wide streets in 1863. It was an act of great foresight, here on the northwoods frontier, at a time when the urban parks movement was just being launched in the United States.

The rambling, castle-like play structure at Ludington Park is alive with activity on summer evenings — enough to warrant an ice cream and root beer stand.

Today five miles of paved pathways within the park connect every attraction, making the park a preferred destination for people on wheels, from rollerblades and baby strollers to bikes and wheelchairs. One path begins in the park's north end, across from the House of Ludington, and extends along Lakeshore Drive to the park's south end. There, near the ends of Sixth and Fifth avenues, are a band shell, a large fantasy-castle playground, and lighted tennis courts. From mid-June through August band concerts are held here Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to about 9:30. Most picnic areas are in the park's south side, overlooking Green Bay and accessed by Lakeshore Drive.

Another paved walkway runs through the center of the park and over the bridge to Arnson Island. On the island are a boat launch and a 3,500' sandy swimming beach that's hard to beat, with a bathhouse and small playground. There are good views across to the Stonington Peninsula and out across Green Bay. Beyond the swimming beach, the paved path extends to a protected natural area at the island's north tip. (The island creates a protected harbor for the marina on the opposite shore.) Shore fishing is allowed at all points in the park, including the municipal dock and in the natural area. Fishing here is famous, especially for walleye but also for perch, trout, and salmon.

History-minded visitors who are extremely patient can read interesting, well-written historical panels deployed near the park's downtown end, in a garden across from the intersection of Lakeshore with Ludington. These panels go into considerable detail about key aspects of local history. Not far away are the Sand Point Lighthouse and the Delta County Historical Museum. (See separate point of interest.)

The park extends south along the lake from the foot of Ludington Ave. downtown all the way to the foot of 7th Ave. (906) 786-4141. Free. Handicap accessible.

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