Elizabeth Park (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Park |
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Entrance to Elizabeth Park
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| Location | 4250 Elizabeth Drive Trenton, Michigan |
| Area | 162 acres (65.6 ha) |
| Created | 1919 |
| Administered by | Wayne County Park System |
Elizabeth Park is a public park in Trenton, Michigan. It's owned by Wayne County. You can find it along West Jefferson Avenue and the Detroit River. The park is just north of the bridge that goes to Grosse Ile. Elizabeth Park opened in 1919. It was the very first county park in the state of Michigan.
The park is mostly on an artificial island that used to be called Slocum's Island. This island is separated from the mainland by a narrow canal. Elizabeth Park covers the northern part of Slocum's Island. A power plant is on the southern part of the island.
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Park History: How It Started
The land where Elizabeth Park is now was once home to the Wyandot Native American tribe. They lived there for hundreds of years before Europeans arrived. The Wyandot had a village called Maguagon along the Detroit River. This area was also where a small battle happened during the War of 1812.
Later, in 1816, a man named Abram Caleb Truax settled the area. It was first called Truaxton. In 1827, the governor of the Michigan Territory, Lewis Cass, helped organize the area. Truaxton was renamed Trenton in 1847.
The Slocum Family's Gift
Giles Bryan Slocum was an important businessman. He moved to Truaxton in 1834. He built the first dock in Truaxton along the Detroit River. He bought a lot of land along the river. He built his large home on what he called Slocum's Island. He even dug a canal to separate part of the island from the mainland.
Giles Slocum married Sophia Truax in 1838. When he passed away in 1884, Sophia inherited his large estate. She continued to live on Slocum's Island with her daughter, Elizabeth Nichols. After Sophia died in 1912, Elizabeth Nichols inherited the island.
Elizabeth Nichols passed away in 1919. Her children then decided to donate the estate to Wayne County. They gave the 162-acre property in October 1919. They asked that it be named "Elizabeth Park" to honor their mother. This gift helped create the Wayne County Park System. The Michigan Department of Transportation also helped. They improved the canal, built bridges to the island, and created the road that goes around the park.
What You Can Do at the Park
Elizabeth Park has been updated over the years. In 2003, the Southshore Riverwalk was improved. The Northshore Riverwalk is also being made better. This part is closer to the city of Trenton. It is expected to bring more visitors.
The park has a marina where boats can dock. Fishing and boating are very popular activities here. You can walk, skate, or fish along the 1,300 feet of riverwalks. Inside the park, you'll find trails for hiking and cycling. There's also a baseball field, a skatepark, a playground, and a big picnic area.
Park Bridges
The park has unique bridges that cross the canal. These bridges connect Elizabeth Park to the mainland. There are three walkway bridges, all called Elizabeth Park Walkway Bridge. They were built a long time ago. In 2013, these footbridges were restored. Their old wrought iron railings were cleaned and put back on the new bridges. They were officially opened again in May 2014.
There is also one bridge for cars. It's an arch bridge called the Elizabeth Drive Bridge. It was built in 1923. This bridge is also being looked at for possible restoration. It is considered important enough to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Elizabeth Park might also become part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is a protected area for animals. It's not yet decided if the park itself will be included.
Trenton Channel Power Plant
South of Elizabeth Park, on Slocum's Island, is the Trenton Channel Power Plant. This large power plant uses coal to make electricity. It is owned by DTE Energy. This part of the island was not part of the original land given for Elizabeth Park. The power plant was built in 1949.
Even though it's a power plant, it works with environmental groups. They make sure the area is clean. The Trenton Channel Power Plant even won an award in 2004 for its efforts to help wildlife. DTE Energy helps create nesting spots for common terns. These birds were once common but became rare. Other birds like bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and great blue herons also use the area as a home.
Images for kids
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Slocum's Isle shown on an 1893 map of Monguagon Township
