Overview
Imlay City is a city which believes the community deserves a well rounded assortment of parks for recreation. Each park is designed with a goal of providing specialized areas for children and adults alike. Park policies are as followed:
- Hours are from dawn to dusk.
- Alcoholic beverages are not allowed, except with a permit obtained prior to your visit.
- Do not construct any fires, except for cooking in contained grills.
- Please do not litter. Trash receptacles are provided at all parks.
- Please keep all motorized vehicles on paved surfaces.
- Please keep all dogs on a leash.
- Please respect all park visitors and know that all parks are public.
Documents
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Lapeer County Recreation Plan, contact Shane Kelley at (810) 766-6570 or by email at skelley@co.genesee.mi.us .
Garden
West Third Street
Butterfly Garden
The City of Imlay City established a Butterfly Garden in 2016 when the Parks and Recreation Commission was pro-active in working with the City Commission to purchase property on West Third Street. The property was the site of an old and blighted house. Following demolition, the Parks and Recreation Commission, through the leadership of Chair Kelly Villanueva, decided to establish a Butterfly Garden at the site.
In 2018, the City purchased and installed a sign similar to all other Park sites in the City. 2019, the City purchased and installed a Pergola which has added to the peaceful attraction of the Butterfly Garden.
Parks
Behind City Hall
Lamb Steele Park
Lamb Steele Park is one of our most popular parks. Located a stone’s throw from Downtown Imlay City, beautiful trees and ecological bioswales surround the newly remodeled park. Nestled in the center of the park is a lovely gazebo, which hosts concerts and other special events. Picnic benches and a grill offer a place for family BBQs. The park’s public pool is especially nice on a hot summer day and offers classes as well as open swims. The convenience of this park’s nearness to Thursday’s Farmer’s Market, the train viewing station, the historical museum, and the senior center, also make it a superior recreation area to frequent for young and old. An electric car charger is also available in the parking area (the first in Lapeer County!)
Blacks Corner Road
Lion's Park
Gather up your friends and the family because our spacious, nine acre, recreational park has a large variety of outdoor opportunities. The Belle River meanders through the southwest corner of Lion’s Park, providing a setting full of native wildflowers. Cross the bridge, and sit a spell under the huge sycamore tree. You may see a mink travel the edge of the river or a belted kingfisher scoop a fish from the water. Children 12 and under may cast a fishing line with no license. In recent years, a river restoration along its bank has improved the water quality of this little stream which lays within the headwaters of the Belle River, thus becoming a model for the state sponsored, Belle River Watershed Plan. For the more sports-minded folks, the park offers a baseball diamond, two sandy beach-volleyball courts, and a large soccer field. This park also offers benches for sitting, grills for grilling, a slide and more. Our sledding hill opened in Winter of 2020, making the park a place to enjoy the out-of-doors all year long. A covered pavilion in the center of the park with several picnic tables can hold large groups and may be reserved by calling the city offices in advance.
Fifth Street and Bancroft
Old School Park
Although it is small, Old School Park is perhaps our busiest park and is often bustling with activities from residents young and not-so-young. Its best attribute could be its cozy and shady setting, just north of the downtown area, which encompasses play, including: swings, slides, and a huge play structure. For your convenience, it also includes an outdoor grill, and picnic tables, in case you were thinking about roasting up some hamburgers and hotdogs.
East First Street
Rotary Park
Located just a stone’s throw from the downtown area, this lovely park has been recently updated with the little ones in mind. A gazebo for a sheltered picnic and newly installed, pint-sized play equipment are sure to keep preschool-age children active in the out-of-doors. The recent upgrades to the park were sponsored by the Imlay City Rotary Club and members of the community through a crowd-funding campaign. If you would like to donate to further improvements to the park (benches, bike racks, tables, etc.), please contact the City offices.
Between Cheney and Titus Streets
Veteran's Park
Located in the center of a strong residential area, this park is one of the best spots in Imlay City to enjoy some peace and quiet as well as a cross-country jog. It highlights two exercise stations to challenge fitness buffs and a mulched quarter-mile walking/jogging path that winds around the perimeter of the rectangular-shaped space. Lined with trees and park benches, one can rest a spell after a workout, or bring a book and relax. It features a small parking area, a grill, two picnic tables, and a slide to entertain the kids.
Trail Head West Fourth Street
The Polly Ann Trail
The Polly Ann Trail has been open for public use Imlay City since 2000. The trail is paved through the city, offering a beautiful, accessible trail for folks both young and old, and of all abilities to enjoy. The trail has been welcomed by the community and has proven to be a great asset to the area. Local groups have held horseback rides, bicycle rides, nature walks, runs, and charity fundraisers.
The Polly Ann Trail in Lapeer County is a 20-mile former rail corridor from Bordman Road to Kings Mill, passing through Dryden, Imlay City, and Lum. This trail connects to the Polly Ann Trail in Oakland County, which will eventually connect to the Paint Creek, Clinton River, and Macomb-Orchard Trails. The Polly Ann Trail is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Mission
"The City of Imlay City Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the promotion, maintenance and advancement of parks and leisure activities within our community. It seeks to not only keep our parks clean, safe, and attractive, but also to provide modern amenities that embrace current recreational interests. Our goal is to grant these amenities not through just our own interests, but through the input of our residents, visitors and business owners, as well. Because of this, we seek the ideas, opinions and inquiries of these individuals at all times."
The Parks and Recreation Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at the City office, 150 North Main Street.