A New Chapter for KI Sawyer- The Grand Opening of Little Trout Lake Park

This past weekend marked a truly special milestone for KI Sawyer and Forsyth Township as community members, local organizations, businesses, and visitors came together to celebrate the long awaited grand opening of Little Trout Lake Park. What was once simply an idea and a vision for a stronger, more connected community has now become reality! One that will provide recreation, gathering, and enjoyment for generations to come.

For many years, KI Sawyer has been missing a large, central outdoor space where families, friends, and neighbors could come together to enjoy everything the area has to offer. The opening of Little Trout Lake Park represents much more than the addition of new recreational amenities. It will represent an investment in the people who call this community home. It is a place where children can spend summer afternoons playing in the sand, families can gather for picnics by the water, friends will meet for a game of pickleball or volleyball, and residents will take peaceful walks on the scenic lake trail.

The new park is a wonderful addition to Forsyth Township, offering a wide variety of free amenities for residents and visitors both. The park features a beautiful swimming beach, a lake with opportunities for water recreation, a walking trail surrounding the shoreline, sand volleyball courts, pickleball courts, playground areas, restrooms, gathering spaces, and a stage that can live music and community events. Every part of the park was designed with the goal of creating a welcoming space where people of all ages can be active, spend time outdoors, and connect.

The grand opening celebration was the perfect reflection of what Little Trout Lake Park was created to be. A place filled with life, activity, and community spirit. From the moment the event began, the park was buzzing with excitement. Families explored the new facilities, children played along the beach and playgrounds, and visitors had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities throughout the day.

The event featured a community passport challenge that encouraged attendees to visit different areas of the park and interact with local organizations and activities. Guests enjoyed food trucks, explored sponsor booths, visited local small business vendors, and took part in hands on experiences including flower planting, water sports, pickleball demonstrations, and sand volleyball activities. Live music filled the air from the new stage while runners took on the 5K event, creating a full day dedicated to celebrating the recreation, wellness, and community aspects this park will bring.

Forsyth Forward was incredibly proud to be a sponsor and to take part in this day alongside the Marquette County Planning Division and many other community partners who helped bring the celebration to life. Our team hosted a booth and had the privilege of working with volunteers from the Northern Michigan University Volleyball Team to operate a passport station at the brand new sand volleyball courts. It was inspiring to see community members of all ages stepping onto the courts, trying something new, and experiencing the possibilities that this incredible new facility provides.

At Forsyth Forward, we believe that strong communities are built through places that bring people together. Little Trout Lake Park is a perfect example of the power of investing in quality of life projects that create opportunities for recreation, health, connection, and local pride. This park will not only serve residents today but will become a place where countless memories are created for years to come. This park will bring memories of first swims and family gatherings to community festivals, concerts, and celebrations.

The opening of Little Trout Lake Park is a step forward for KI Sawyer and Forsyth Township, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, effort, and vision to make this project possible. The dedication and collaboration between community leaders, organizations, volunteers, and residents has created a space that people will be proud to visit.

If you were not able to attend the grand opening celebration, we encourage you to stop by and experience Little Trout Lake Park for yourself. Take a walk around the lake, enjoy the beach, play a game on the courts, attend a future event, or simply take in the beauty of this amazing new space.

We look forward to watching Little Trout Lake Park become a place where memories are made and the KI Sawyer community continues to grow and thrive!