Ontonagon Township Park draws various summer activity

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ontonagon TOWNSHIP - It's that time of year when folks from near and far flock to campsites to bask in warm, fresh air and all the joys of the good life.

Ontonagon Township Park is no exception, with people enjoying the site in various locations on July 30.

By mid-morning, numerous folks were strolling the path along Lake Superior. Kids were active on the playground and adjacent beach, and campers were stirring with pleasant outdoor chores.

Gene Fiszer of Ontonagon had just stopped by to see his daughter-in-law, Iris Fiszer, who was expecting her husband, Christian, to arrive later from Iron Mountain.

"They started coming here last year," said Gene. "They try to get the same spot."

A well-appointed campsite already had been set up with a cozy tent. Within it, Iris's dog, Donner, fired some feisty warning barks at the reporter.

"He likes to play," said Iris. "He likes to run. He likes to swim."

She said he was informing her that he wanted to spend time by the lake.

Iris, who was making Swedish pancakes on a beachside grill, said she likes to cook on an open fire.

She added that she and her husband love the "quiet" and "convenient" site, which she summarized as "just gorgeous."

Moreover, she said, she feels safe there and "everyone is nice."

Meanwhile, nearby, Lindsey Hollander of Traverse City was monitoring her three daughters, Hattie, 3; Rose, 4; and Lucy, 6.

"My grandparents live in Ontonagon," she said, referring to Tom and Bonnie Burgess.

"They're actually celebrating their 60th anniversary today," she said, explaining that a backyard barbecue was planned in commemoration of the event.

"We try to get up here every summer," said Hollander of herself and her husband, Justin. "It's so pretty."

Hollander said the park was a good place for her girls "to get all the energy out."

She added, in relation to the lakeside path, which connects to the village of Ontonagon, "We walked downtown to get ice-cream."

Hollander said the lake water was cold, but the girls didn't seem to mind as they danced and splashed around in it.

They also entertained themselves by pretending that the small amount of water in a lakeside rivulet was "quicksand" and then determined, playfully, that perhaps it needed a dam.

The park also has a picnic area with grills for daily visitors.

Although the setting appears idyllic, Gene Fiszer admitted that Mother Nature sometimes causes trouble.

"Last year, they had a nice tent and a screen tent, and we had a bad storm and it just destroyed everything," he said of his son and daughter-in-law's site.

He said this year's activity in the park seemed a little slower than usual. "I don't know if it's because of the gas prices," he said. "Normally, at this time of year, you don't find any open spots."

Overall, he said, the location is "perfect."

"We will have a little family reunion here," said Iris as she smiled in anticipation of plans she and her husband had made. "We will have a big bonfire on the beach. We will enjoy being alive."