Council Point Park facts for kids

Council Point Park is a cool city park in Wayne County, Michigan. You can find it along the Ecorse River in the city of Lincoln Park. This park is pretty big, about 27 acres! It's right next to the cities of Wyandotte and Ecorse. The special "point" of the park is where the northern and southern parts of the Ecorse River meet, just before the river flows into the Detroit River.

The land for the park was bought in the late 1980s. Today, Council Point Park has lots of fun things to do. There's a 1.9-mile jogging track along the Ecorse River, two baseball or softball fields, two soccer fields, and a picnic area. Kids love the playground with its playscape. There's also an inline hockey rink and a building with restrooms.

Park History: A Special Meeting Place

Council Point Park is a really important place in Michigan's history. Back in 1763, a famous leader named Chief Pontiac called a big meeting here. He was the chief of the Ottawa tribe in Michigan.

Chief Pontiac's Council

Chief Pontiac invited leaders from many Native American tribes to this meeting. The Wyandot, Detroit Ottawa, and Potawatomi tribes were all there. Pontiac wanted to unite these tribes. He told them it was time to act and remove the British from their lands. These lands used to belong to the French.

Pontiac planned to attack Fort Detroit in just three days. After some attempts to trick the fort's defenders, Pontiac and his people surrounded the fort. They kept it under attack for six months! This event is a big part of Michigan's story.

From Farmland to Fun Park

The land that is now Council Point Park was once small farms and woods. The City of Lincoln Park bought this land in the late 1980s. Before it could become a park, there was a small problem. Some harmful chemicals, like heavy metals from steel making, had spilled into the area.

The city worked with the Department of Natural Resources. They cleaned up the land carefully to make sure it was safe for everyone to enjoy.

Old Buildings Still Stand

You can still see an old farmhouse from 1915 at 3051 River Drive. It's called the Musta family farmhouse and sits along the western edge of the park. Also, there's an old water access point from World War II that was built by the Army Corps of Engineers. It's still buried under the park today!

Fun Things to Do at Council Point Park

Council Point Park is a busy place with many activities for all ages.

Sports and Exercise

• Baseball and Softball: The park has two baseball fields. Many local little league teams practice and play their games here.
• Soccer: There are also two youth soccer fields. These are used for games during the summer months.
• Walking and Jogging: A 1.9-mile track goes around the edge of the park. It's perfect for walking, jogging, or running.
• Inline Hockey: One of the newer attractions is an inline hockey rink. Summer roller hockey leagues play here. Local inline hockey players can even skate year-round!

Picnics and Events

The park has a picnic pavilion. Many families and groups use it for picnics and parties. The Lincoln Park Relay for Life event is also held at Council Point Park every year on Mother's Day weekend.

Entertainment and Learning

Council Point Park is not just for sports; it's also a place for learning and cultural events.

Pow Wow Celebration

The American Indian Movement of Michigan holds a special event called a Pow Wow at Council Point Park. This Pow Wow remembers Chief Pontiac's big meeting from the 1760s. It's a great chance for kids and adults to learn about the history of Pontiac's Council. You can also learn about the rich culture of the Native American people who first lived in this area. There's dancing, fun games, and other activities to enjoy!

Watch a Game

The park has several spots where visitors can sit and watch sporting events. You can cheer on teams playing baseball, softball, soccer, or inline hockey.

Park Geography

Council Point Park is a 27-acre park located on the eastern side of the City of Lincoln Park. The park is bordered by the Northern and Southern branches of the Ecorse Creek to the east. To the west, you'll find River Drive. The Ecorse Creek actually forms the borders between the City of Lincoln Park, Wyandotte (on the south side), and Ecorse (on the north side).