Wicks Park

Location: Waterfront, between Mary and Main Streets, Saugatuck
Date: 1976

The area along the east bank of the Kalamazoo River extending from the chain ferry landing at Mary Street to Main Street was an early site of boatbuilding, especially the vessels constructed by James Elliott for Captain R. C. Brittain. In 1909 the first of Saugatuck’s dancing pavilions was constructed here, a one-story gray building. When the Big Pavilion was completed a couple of months later, the owners of the smaller pavilion converted it into a skating rink. The structure later served as the waiting room and warehouse for the Graham & Morton Co. boats that stopped at Saugatuck until 1929, and in the winter was the venue for the winning Saugatuck High School basketball team. The skating rink was removed in the early 1930s and the land was put up for sale. The Saugatuck Village Council debated its purchase, but the country was in the midst of depression and the village did not have the money available. Former village president Frank Wicks and his wife Carrie felt the village should have the land for a park. They purchased the property with their savings and allowed the village to pay them back at no interest over a period of time. The space was rented out for much of the time to Dick and Deb Hoffman who ran Anchor Park, a small amusement park that included a dock for their excursion boats, a miniature golf course, and other games and attractions. By 1976 the land had been paid for and the city began the work of turning it into a park. To celebrate the Nation’s bicentennial an old-fashioned bandstand, designed by Douglas artist Nat Steinberg, was built and the entire park dedicated to Frank Wicks, who made it all possible.