Our Community

 

Rededication of State Road Ball Diamonds to 

Robert E. Crawford Ball Fields

May 2, 2009-
Robert E. Crawford has worn several hats since first showing up at the Ft. Gratiot ball fields with his two boys in 1949. The 78-year-old has been taking care of the fields for 50 years. During that time, he also has served as a Little League coach, board member and now is a groundskeeper. Crawford helped build many of the fields and tends to them almost all year. He's as much a fixture at the Ft. Gratiot State Road Park and the North River Road Park diamonds as the fences and dugouts. The Ft. Gratiot Little League honored him on May 2, 2009 for his service. Crawford and his helpers have continued to update the fields. He is proud of his work - and of a shed full of maintenance equipment that includes four tractors and a Gator. He said the eight diamonds are used by 300 little leaguers, a 24-team church softball league and 200 young softball players, and host several tournaments.

     

Bob Crawford explaining his grounds keeping             Bob & his wife, Beverly

                      

Photographs Courtesy of Judith A Reynolds, Treasurer. 

AP Photo/Times Herald, Melissa Wawzysko

  Bob thanking the Little League

 

    

Tim Ojczyk, Doug Jones, Bob, Ray Jokie

Scarecrow Saturday provides seasonal fun for community

09/26/09 (by Angela Mullins, Times Herald)
Kristy Jones is convinced not everyone knows what the township has to offer. Hidden within the retail district is a bounty of walking trails, water and thick forest. Officials have for years been working to make the township an ideal place for cycling, walking and enjoying nature. The pond, on Parker Road between Carrigan and Keewahdin roads, and surrounding Fort Gratiot Nature Preserve are examples of that effort. More...

 

Scarecrow Mike

Hayrides

Petting Zoo

Scarecrow Rob

Fort Gratiot County Park Tunnel Memorial Dedication

8/31/2007-
The Fort Gratiot Township County Park is now officially open to the public.  The Memorial Dedication was held on August 31, 2007, in honor of the 22 workers who lost their lives Dec. 11, 1971 in the Detroit water tunnel explosion.  The dedication included the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of a helmeted worker with the inscriptions of the victims etched in stone created by California artist Paula Slater. More pictures of the memorial are available at the artists' website at www.PaulaSlater.com.

           

Photographs Courtesy of Paula Slater.

Fort Gratiot County Park Open

The County Parks and Recreation Commission recently completed Phase II of the new Fort Gratiot County Park, which includes an entrance on Metcalf Road, park roadways, parking areas, picnic tables, and restrooms.  Stop out and enjoy one of the little known treasures in the Township.