Skip Schulz/For the Gazette What started last year with the demolition of an old building has now become the new Doug’s Sunset Park, next to the Ontonagon Township Park and Campground. The new park is for day use.

Ontonagon Township, known for its campground and children’s park, has added a new day park to its landscape. Doug’s Sunset Park is located next to the Legion Cabin, adjacent to the Ontonagon Township campground on the shores of Lake Superior.

After the death of Doug Filppula, township officials heard that the former teacher’s property would be for sale. They contacted a friend of the Filppula family who served as a real estate agent.

While the adage, “the rest is history” would be appropriate in this story, there was much more to the acquisition than writing out a check.

“The agent contacted the family and we worked it out. Both Bonnie (Maki, Real Estate Agent) and Borseth (Property’s) waived all fees and the only excess charge we had was for the legal filings,” said Bill Chabot, Ontonagon Township Clerk.

The township applied and was granted a $20,000 grant from the Michigan Land Bank in April of last year. 

“We did not use the entire $20,000 and did not draw down on it as it only cost $14,000.00 to do the job. They were happy as they used the leftover to apply to another grant from another township,” said Chabot.

The money was used to tear down an old building and develop a day park.

“We have started to improve it and are looking to pour some cement pads for handicapped vehicles with a cement walkway to a deck that would abut the shore, which is quite rocky,” Chabot said. “This will depend on the township’s finances as we hear rumblings that revenue sharing will be cut. It may take a couple of years to bring it to its full potential. We also want to put park benches and some picnic tables.”

The planning for this new park will be handicapped accessible. Being a day park, it will not have any overnight camping.

“With the Legion Cabin next door, it will be a perfect tie in for family reunions and maybe even weddings if someone should want that,” Chabot said.

The day park fits into an area that includes a children’s playground, full utility campground on the shores of Lake Superior, non-lakefront camping, two buildings, modern bathrooms and showers, parking for those that want to enjoy the beach or watch the lake during its turbulence, disc golf, and baskets for those wanting to play basketball.

Chabot explained the beauty of Doug’s Sunset Park.

“After looking at the property and noticing the quiet and serene surroundings, covered by tree overhang, and shady,” he said. “It seemed like it was carved out of the woods, we thought it would be a perfect spot for all the citizens of Ontonagon to be able to enjoy.”

Residents throughout the area knew that Filppula was highly respected. 

“He loved just sitting outside and enjoying the beauty and sounds of Gitchee Gumee,” Chabot said. “We wanted to preserve that special feeling that he felt, and many of us do. He would want it to be enjoyed by everyone.”