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Paris Park

parisparkIf you have traveled on old US 131 between Big Rapids and Reed City, you may have noticed this building with the interesting architecture. This is the old Paris Fish Hatchery, now a Michigan historic site.

A sign explains a bit of the history: Opening in 1881, the Paris Fish Hatchery was the state’s second fish rearing agency. This area was selected because of its abundant sources of water and excellent railroad connections. The Paris Fish Hatchery was a major supplier of salmon and brown trout fingerlings. Fish in milk cans painted a distinctive red were shipped throughout the state in railroad baggage cars, the most famous of which was the “Wolverine,” which was used from 1913 to 1938, when motorized vehicles began to dominate shipment. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) renovated and expanded the facility in the mid 1930s. It continued to operate until 1964, when it was closed by the Department of Natural Resources. The site was acquired by the Mecosta County Park Commission in 1973, refurbished as a park and reopened in July 1976.

Today, the Paris Park consists of forty wooded acres, with about ½ mile of Muskegon River frontage. The park also consists of 68 campsites, modern restrooms, volleyball court, canoe launch and three camp-n-cabins. A Camp-n-Cabin is a 12×12 rustic cabin, ½ log siding, concrete floors, and a 5×12 covered porch. These three cabins are on the southern end of the park, overlooking the beautiful Muskegon River.

In our opinion, Mecosta County does an above average job of taking care of their parks.

Written by Dave.